July 29, 2013

  Ministry Partners,

Good Evening from Rwanda!
by Brian Youd

Today was a most unusual day. The team traveled to Mpanga prison and as is often the case here, plans changed. We had expected to come and have a couple of hours to do separate men’s and women’s trainings. Instead, we found out firsthand what the Bible means when it says in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has in store for those who love Him.” Rather than spending our time solely with small groups of men and women, we were requested to hold a crusade for the entire prison, and the warden, having been informed we were coming had the entire prison assembled. It was an incredible feeling to stand in front of over 6000 people and hear Arlene talk about Christ and the need we all have for Him in our lives!


 Leslie, Irene, Pastor Jerome, Arlene, Deputy Warden Albert, Toni, Terry
Alfred & Brian

After the crusade finished, we made our way back to the warden’s office since we had not yet met him. When he arrived and welcomed us to his office and to the prison grounds there was a sense that something was different about this man. It became apparent very quickly that not only did he have a heart for forgiveness, but that he was a Christian as well. We ate lunch with him and his staff, serving them peanut butter sandwiches, and were told that we had no time limit on our teaching sessions for the afternoon. Both the men’s and women’s sessions went well and we were able to encourage both the men and women’s groups in their faith in the Lord. No one expected what happened after the sessions though! The warden, whose name is Innocent, invited us to his office for a quick “farewell.” What it turned out to be was a wonderful dinner that he had prepared for us to share with him and his staff. Our fellowship over dinner was so sweet! God spoke through Warden Innocent today in mighty ways. He actually stood with our women in the ladies’ session and preached to the female inmates! He gave a short message to the men as well, and when it was time for us to depart, he prayed a great prayer of anointing over our team and the ministry IRM is doing in Rwandan prisons.


Arlene, Warden Innocent

 It was no great surprise when Arlene “adopted” Innocent as yet another one of her Rwandan sons!

God is doing mighty things here. He is stretching all of us as we acclimate to the Rwandan culture and how to communicate His love to the inmates here. Please join us in prayer as we seek His will for what to communicate and how best to do so. Pray also that the team continues to gel well and that we continue to exercise patience and grace towards each other as we do the work God lays before us each day. We love knowing that though you are not here with us physically, you are in prayer for us daily. Again, God bless you. Have a wonderful day and speak the Word boldly through your words and actions today!
Brian Youd

That none would be lost,
Arlene