Rwanda – Land of A Thousand Hills (April 2010)

Words  like “very clean” and “peaceful” can be used  to describe  that beautiful nation. Martha Clinch and  I arrived  there during  the genocide  memorial  month.  Our  friend  Josephine  of  Nairobi,  Kenya  joined  us.  It  was  Focus  On  the  World  Ministries’  first “International”  team. We visited one memorial  site  and  it was  emotionally moving. But  the  nation  is being  rebuilt  in many ways, including spiritually.

Hosted by Pastor  Benjamin and his wife we had a blessed time of ministry. We spoke at the first women’s conference put on by their organization  and  it was  very  refreshing. Some of  the women  said  they wished  it  had been  on  for  three days  instead of one. They absorbed the teaching and worshipped God fervently.

Kigali, Capital city of Rwanda, Pastor Benjamin and Family, and a Women's Conference

Martha held  a  special  session  for  the beautiful  children  and  also  taught Sunday  school.  Several of  them  received  Jesus as  their Savior. We met with a group of young adults who are orphans. They make crafts and sell their products but life is difficult for them. One lady cried as we heard her story of abandonment by her husband. Another one has no place to live and stays wherever she can for a few days. After hearing God’s Word, about 20 of those young people prayed to receive Jesus.

Josephine with translator, Martha with children, and youth who prayed to receive Jesus

Kenya

From Rwanda we went up  to Kenya, our old “stomping ground”. We  rejoiced with Pastor Brown and our friends at King Worship Center in Quarry slum. Their rented facilities were demolished last year. They are now on their own land and their temporary church building is “the talk of the village”. It is beautiful but not yet complete. A few friends of Focus on the World contributed towards this building so it was good to see it. The primary school is operating still but the classrooms have no windows.

During  the week Martha conducted classes  for  the children and  immediately  there was an  increase  in Sunday  school attendance.  I taught  the  teens,  leaders and parents and spoke at  three  services on Sunday. Since 2002,  the  first  time  that  I visited,  there has been tremendous growth in attendance.  It was wonderful to see how God is working in their midst.

Part of the growing congregation, Some of the children in a classroom that has no windows and the new building.

* If you are able to make a contribution to help them put in windows for the classrooms and complete the building it would be appreciated

It was our first time of ministry in Eldoret, a town that was deeply affected by the post-election violence two and a half years ago. We spoke at daytime sessions for the children, lunch hour services, evening services,  their first ever women’s meeting, Sunday school and Sunday  service. We also had  the privilege of being  interviewed on a Christian  radio  station, which  is owned by a man who  is visually impaired. What an inspiration to meet him!

Women's meeting, Drama time for the kids and Reuben and an assistant at the Radio Station

Pastor Zack wrote, “Thank you so very much for your love and prayers, we are so encouraged. Since you visited us we have seen a big change in people's lives and church in general.  People are now giving their tithes and offerings as they should and the Lord is blessing them.   Lots of
people have been set free from demonic oppressions and you can see the joy of the Lord in their lives ....we  are  so  excited!!   Sunday  school  has  really  picked  [up]...And  Sunday  school materials  are  just super.  Asante sana!!  [Thank you very much]. Revival is in the House!! We are so encouraged.”