Prayers of many…
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our
behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. --2 Cor. 1:11
When the Rwanda
Partnership Team traveled to Shyogwe Diocese in June 2013, Rev. Canon Emanuel
Gasana shared that the Shyogwe Parish is committed to prayer because it is the
engine for revival in the church. The
Lord used Rev. Gasana’s vision of prayer and how the people are living out
their faith through prayer to nudge my heart to re-examine my prayer life. After some time of reflection, the Holy
Spirit ignited a flame in my heart for a stronger commitment to Intercessory
Prayer. Throughout this past year, I
have been so grateful the Lord used Rev. Gasana to search my heart and show me
an area where I needed to grow to honor Him for the sake of others.
Prayer has been woven
throughout our time visiting the Gikomero Health Center, Mother’s Union, the
Healthy Mum’s Project at Gikomero and Hanika Parishes. Also, with the Single Women Who Come Together
of Gikomero. Sue and I had the opportunity
to pray with sick women at Gikomero’s Health Center. The presence of the Holy Spirit was amazing.
With the Holy Spirit interceding for us, there was “no” language barrier! Felicima, Pastor Etienne’s wife, brought a woman to us in need of prayer, as
well. Wednesday, Eric led a time of
Marriage Teaching. Jim, Curt and I
shared our testimonies. Many of the
women shared stories with us because they were able to relate to our lives.
These women asked if we would please pray for them, as they pray for us. Another woman stood up and said she had heard
we pray for sick people. She lifted up
her disabled little boy and asked if we would pray for him. I was in awe of how the Holy Spirit was
moving in people’s hearts. He was
generously pouring out His grace on each person. It was
humbling and amazing. Imana
ishimwe! (Praise God)
Today we had the opportunity
to hear Church of Gikomero’s Vision for the church and 4 chapels. We had an amazing time of questions and
prayer requests. It was such a blessing
to share in regard to COTA’s “Unto the Harvest Church Plant.” Each person received a Rwanda Partnership
Prayer Card with a picture of Ford, Lindsay and family with prayer needs. Pastor Etienne read the card to everyone in
Kinyarwandan and asked all to prayer for Pastor Ford’s family and the church
plant. The response was beautiful, with an eagerness to pray!
My heart is
overflowing with gratitude to Jesus Christ for the lessons of humility, trust,
faith, honesty and power of prayer this week as we are sharing our lives with
our precious brothers and sisters of Gikomero and Shyogwe Diocese.
The “prayers of many”
is a thread God is using to weave His tapestry of COTA’s relationship with
Gikomero and the Shyogwe Diocese. In
Matt. 22:38, Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” As we commit to pray for our brothers and
sisters in Gikomero and Shyogwe Diocese, we are unified in Christ. Amahoro y’Imana abane namwe (God’s Peace be
with You)!
Tereza (new name as
spoken in Rwanda)
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