Back to Rwanda

Last year, as the Rwanda Partnership Trip Team worshiped with our brothers and sisters from the Gikomero Parish in Rwanda, at the end of the service, Rev. Etienne proclaimed , “You are part of us, and we are part of you.”  They were beautiful words that capture the heart of our Sister Church Partnership with the Gikomero Parish.  Through numerous trips and ongoing prayer, God has been knitting the hearts of our two churches together, and we are thankful to God for that.

On Friday, July 20^th, a team of eight folks from Apostles will board the airplane at RDU and head out on a 14-day journey with hopes and dreams to continue investing in this partnership and to bless our brothers and sisters in Rwanda through the teaching of English.  Our team, which consists of Teresa Kincaid, Jennifer Kromhout, Taylor Waren, Sarah Hughes, Manning Pruden, Hillary Dotson, Eric Bolash and Ford Jordan, will have two main tasks. 

First, at the request of Bishop Jered Kalimba, we have been trained to teach ESL to some of the teachers and pastors of the Shyogwe Diocese.  We will be ‘teaching the teachers’ how to teach ESL.  This will be vitally important as the country continues to transition their national language from French to English. 

Our second purpose will be to continue building relationships and investing in the people of the Gikomero Parish.  We will spend time with them, worship with them and pray with them.  We will also have the opportunity to get an update on the status of the well project and the health clinic. 

Our Team Verse for this trip is Isaiah 55:10-11. 

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Please be in prayer for us as we travel.  Pray for our health and safety.  Pray for our friends and families that we are leaving behind.  Pray for our English teaching and for the relational work we will do with our Sister Church.  And above all, as our team verse suggests, pray that the Lord would accomplish whatever purposes He has for this trip.