June12........

Ministry Partners,

They're here, they're here, the plane has finally landed and only four hours later than scheduled!!!!
An unusual storm over Kigali prevented the plane from landing as scheduled and a number of planes circled the airport and then were rerouted to another country but then I will let one of the team that was in the plane blog about that.

Thank you Jesus for bringing them safely here.

It was so nice to see their smiling, tired faces and God's blessing in all of it was a safe landing at 11 PM not only for them but for every single piece of luggage.

The storm was unusual and has continued even through this evening with lots of lightning, thunder and a torrential downpour. The nationals say it is very odd to have this kind of weather at this time of year.

This morning we attended the church where Pastor Deo from Prison Fellowship is the pastor. I suggested that Pastor Al preach and as usual he did a wonderful job with 27 receiving God's free gift of salvation. The whole morning was filled with wonderful worship in a style only the Rwandans can do.

After the service Alfred, Blessing and the children joined us for lunch and then left for their home as they had to be back at Moucecore for the IRM "Welcome Dinner" at 5 PM. About 24 old and new ministry partners have been invited and I am so excited to the faces of those who worked with us last year.

The floral bouquet that Alfred and Blessing gave me was on the center of the head table and the tables were decorated with different colors curly ribbon and candy.

It was a very nice evening that ended by taking Communion together led by Pastor Roger.

Tomorrow there are meetings scheduled and the team will go into town to exchange money.

I think they will probably sleep very well tonight.
Praising God for his goodness. Your continued prayers appreciated.

That would be lost,

Arlene

June 9........

Ministry Partners and Friends,

It has been another beautiful sunny day in Kigali and although it is warm the air is cooled with a gentle breeze.

Today was cause to once again do the "happy dance" as cases and cases of Bibles were delivered by the Rwanda Bible Society to the locked storeroom donated by Moucecore Guesthouse where I and the team will be staying.

"Thank You" for your sacrificial giving so that others might be blessed.

Not to far away are many churches and one of them had services almost all day today so I was blessed by their wonderful worship. Is that not a great combination?.....sunshine + worship + Bibles & Discipleship Booklets to distribute free to those who are so hungry for the written Word of God. Perhaps tomorrow morning I can go there before I work with that new group of HIV/AIDS ladies. I purchased candy to share with them and I will be giving them one of the beautiful scarves you donated.

Thank you also for your prayers as baby Promise, Arlene, Mupenzi is doing better and released from the hospital and her father, Alfred, is continuing to improve for the effects of Malaria. Please continue to pray for:

• Pastor Peter and his wife
• For me, unspoken and for my health
  

The internet did not work most of the day but appears to be up.

Thank you again for all your continued prayers and support. I have really enjoyed your blog comments and emails of encouragement. Please forgive me for not replying to each individual one.

That none would be lost,
Arlene

June 7......

Ministry Partners,

I have not been able to post to this blog since I've been in Rwanda because the Internet service at Moucecore guesthouse has not been up but I was just informed this evening that is was working.

It's hard to believe that I have been here five days already and those have been very busy days indeed.

Saturday I was invited to speak the next day, Sunday, at Church on the Rock for both the first service, English, and second service, Kinyarwanda. I planned on preaching the same message both times but the people from the first service stayed for the second. I am thankful to the Holy Spirit for giving me the second new message "right on the spot".

Seeing so many familiar faces and giving and receiving so many hugs makes me feel right at home. But just doing the every day things take so much longer than in America.

After leaving yesterday morning at 8:30 for town with Alfred Mupenzi, the IRM Operations Supervisor, and Pastor Peter Deyali, Grace Treasurers Church, we exchanged money, went to 1 bank and waited in line 1 hour (all to be told they could not help us), purchased water for the team's arrival, stopped by the Bible society, had lunch, checked on the cost of printing the Discipleship Booklets, had some other copies made, went to a 2^nd bank (they could help us), briefly met with Pastor Deo from Prison Fellowship and finally arriving home at 4:30. Because we had the car and driver for over 4 hours (considered 1/2 day) the cost was $80 instead of $40.

Hummmm…. the same thing happened last Friday and today.

Thankful for my first day of rest tomorrow, at least until tomorrow evening when I was asked to speak at a home meeting of some officials. Thursday, Friday and Sat. before the team arrives are all full and busy. I think next year I will come 2 weeks early - Lord willing and the Team here agrees.

I am so looking forward to Friday as I have the opportunity to work with a new group of 40 HIV/AIDS ladies.

Today, we had more errands to do in town this time making purchases for ministry and the teams arrival. While there I purchased a beautiful piece of fabric to have made into a dress and then had to have both of the soles of my shoes repaired at a huge cost of 60 cents each and it was a very well done job!

Late this afternoon I met with Bishop Denis from Bethel Pentecostal Church at his request. He invited me to be one of the speakers for the Regional Crusade and Conference, March 5-18,2012. During our 1 1/2 hour meeting he reported that they expected to have at least 100,000 in attendance. I am going to have to spend much time in prayer concerning this opportunity!!!

Please pray for our Rwandan team partners:

• Pastor Peter & his wife – Foursquare Gospel Church Rwanda – had his back injured due to a motorbike accident and then was involved in a second accident, followed by the death of his father-in-law.

• Baby Arlene Mupenzi (3 yrs.) – hospitalized 4 days ago with tonsils problems and unable to eat due to sores in her mouth

• Alfred Mupenzi – still dealing with effects of Malaria

• Unspoken request - I will inform you later
  

Thank you dear partners for your continued prayers,

Arlene

p.s.

Please comment below, I would love to hear from you

June 3.......

Hello from Kigali Ministry Partners and friends.

I must make this brief as I am in an internet cafe using someone elses computer.
I arrived safely last night and had a good nights sleep.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Arlene

At the airport......

Hello from the Portland airport. I arrived at the airport at 4:45 AM and by 5:30 AM, I was sitting at my designated date. They did not even the weigh my bags but just asked me about their weight. I guess it was a good thing that I weighed them at least six times so I was sure they would not be overweight. Just proof that Jesus is in control and guiding my steps. Have had a great opportunity to visit with a couple of ladies that are sitting with me.

thank you for the continuing prayers,
Arlene

Africa, here I come........

Ministry Partners,

Today, Wednesday, starts early for me 3:15 so I can be at the airport by 5 with my flight time of 7:30. It's hard to believe I will be in beautiful Rwanda tomorrow evening.



I will keep this blog updated as the internet service is available

Thank you again to each one of you who made this ministry trip possible by your faithful prayers and financial support.

It was hard to go to sleep last night because I just wanted to keep doing the "happy dance".

Rwanda, I'm on my way.

Arlene

Tomorrow is the BIG day.........

Ministry Partners and Friends,

It's hard to believe that tomorrow I leave for my 8th trip to the beautiful country of Rwanda. It will be great to touch bases again with our ministry partners and friends there.
Rwanda is a country that focuses on relationships and building relationships with many of the beautiful people there has been a blessing from God to my heart.

This past year has been filled with mountain tops and valleys but the valleys have been a time learning to depend and trust, even more, the dear Savior who has a good plan for me and IRM. Jer. 29:11

I could only offer praises to the Lord as some of those valleys were just evidence that once again God is going to allow the team, and me, see Him do great and mighty things in Rwanda. The U.S. team He has put together are dedicated servants of God and I could not be more pleased that He has called each one of them to minister there with IRM for 3 weeks. The same can be said of the hard working volunteer Rwanda team that is preparing for our arrival.

I will depart for Rwanda tomorrow and the team of Pastor Roger Stevens, Steve Van Buren from Klamath Falls and Pastor Al & Kathy Carpenter and Lovena Flaherty from Canby will depart on June 10. All of us will return to America on July 3.

Your partnership, with pray and finances, make these ministry trips possible.

"THANK YOU"

I would appreciate your continued prayers for:

• Open hearts for the Gospel and that we would see many come to saving knowledge in Jesus Christ
  
• New and unscheduled opportunities
• That we would find favor with the Gov.,wardens and everyone we come in contact with.
  
• Travel, flight and in-country
  
• The health of the team, both Rwandans and Americans
• The remaining funds for 750 Bibles to meet our goal of 5,000

Good News !!
IRM received a "Matching Funds Grant" in the amount of $4,200.
Now every $1 donated for Bibles becomes $2 and there is still time to purchase an $8.50 Bible & Discipleship Booklet set for those who have no funds to purchase one for themselves.

Making online donations for Bibles is easy!

1. Go to the IRM Ministry web-site @ http://www.newlifeirm.org
2. Click on "Donations"
3. Click on "clicking here" in blue
4. Follow the easy remaining few "steps"

Thank you again for your partnership.
That none would be lost....

Arlene