Details

Hey friends!

We are down to crunch time!

Joy and I just spent the last hour or so brainstorming through last minute purchases, packing details, phone services, and many other details.

We are having a "packing party" Friday night to get everything into one place and see what we're missing. Last-minute shopping for what's missing on Saturday, with a goal that we are packed and ready to go by the end of the weekend.

So much to do and so little time! People keep asking if we're excited, and we are!! but we're in the thick of planning and details too.

Stick around with the blog - the exciting part's coming soon! :)

Others Who have gone before Us

When we look back on today, I pray we will remember one thing: Jesus is touching the world with hope- that so many are being delivered from oppression. We spent an evening at Messiah College's campus taking in the message from Charlie Peacock, Sara Groves, Derek Webb, his wife Sandra McCracken and Brandon Heath with approximately 1,500 other listeners.

We learned so much about a new organization who is active all around the world saving people from oppression and present day slavery (including child prostitution). They are called the International Justice Mission. They are a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems. You can find more information- and we encourage you to get involved in any way that you can by first visiting their website: http://www.ijm.org/

Tonight was another reminder at how small we are and how absolutely large our Father in Heaven is. He is in our hearts, even as sinners saved by His grace, and also in dark rooms where innocent children cry and ask for deliverance. He is faithful and has already delivered. What a MIGHTY God we serve!

-joyous

Today is Rwanda Day!

What an amazing, crazy day! I hereby name today "Rwanda Day," celebrated by Joy Derner and Nancy Reed. You're welcome to celebrate as well. (It's highly possible I'll name other days "Rwanda Day" also ...)

I had the privilege of being in email contact with 5 Rwandan friends today, two local friends from Hope International, and an invaluable friend (who has practically become our trip coordinator).

I realize the whole internet/email thing is nothing new... but I'm still floored by the thought of instant conversation between continents! I'm amazed every time I chat with my friend Priscila in Brasil and Katherine in Thailand. Crazy.

Anyway, there in Kigali, all five Rwandans continue to offer warm welcomes to us for our upcoming visit. Two will host us in their home, one will be our guide and translator, one will allow us to visit his choir, and one will introduce us to Hope staff and clients.

Joy and I are humbled by the delight being shown to us. Clearly, it's not based on ourselves - they don't even know us! It is rooted in a love in one God, linking us as brothers and sisters. Amazing that, in Him, we can be bonded to others even before we've met them! Hooray for the body of Christ. Great idea, Lord! :)

All these conversations today, discovering personalities, chatting through details, and anticipating our time there, are fueling my heart with excitement! (I can definitely speak for Joy on that one too.) The reality is setting in - we are actually going to meet these people! Wow!

I'm watching the moon. Yesterday it was just the teeniest sliver. Today, it was noticeably bolder. When it is full and round again, away we fly!

Our purposes are determined, and the plans to carry out those purposes are falling into place nicely. Growing in us, however, is the wonder that God has planted this trip in our hearts, and His purposes are surely bigger than we even know. What will He do on this trip? How will he change us, challenge us, work through us? We look forward with wonder to looking back in wonder. Hope. It's fitting.

I'll leave you with one of the emails we received today - this one is from Marcel, who will translate for us and, judging from his kind spirit, help us with anything else we could possibly need. What a joy it will be to meet him! Happy Rwanda Day! ~nancy

Hello !
how are you doing ? hope you are doing well.
my friends I m telling you the truth I will help you for everthing you will need .I hope that God will help us .
Please let me know when you will arrive at the aeroport? what time and when ?
I love you in name of our Lord Jesus and always pray for your trip to Rwanda.
have a good trip and God be with you
I wishing you the best .
can you call me if is possible . I just wanna hear your voices .Thanks

Marcel

Kinyarwanda

Wanna learn with us?

Muraho: hello
Mwaramutse: Good morning
Mwiriwe: Good afternoon
Muramuke: Good Night
Murakoze: Thank you
Rot Imana: dream of God
Amakuru? : How are you (sort of)
Ni Mesa: (response to how are you)
Ni twa _____ : My name is
Wit twande?: What is your name?
Murakoze: Thank you
Na kibazo: No problem
Ndishimye: I'm happy
Imana iguhe umugisha: God Bless You
Imana Shemwe: Praise God
Ndagukunda: I love you.
Sinzi ikinyarwanda neza: I don't speak Kinyarwanda very well
Sinvuga Ikinyarwanda: I don't understand Kinyarwanda

To those who pray -

Here are some things to keep in mind as you come before our Father for us:

Please pray for/that:

-Our diligence in packing and preparing for this trip (we leave 2wks from today!)
-Our quiet rest in the Lord, and active listening to His voice
-Hearts will be stirred to obey Christ through our interactions in Rwanda
-Provision of a laptop for our trip
-Jano, Chrissy, and Marcel (hosts/translators)- to be blessed for their generosity to us
-Continued financial support - at last update, support is at $4100 of $6000 needed. Another update will come soon, and we'll pass that info on to you as well.
-Diligent prayers for us and this trip from our friends and families (you!) :)

Thank you so much!
~nancy