October 16, 2010

Ministry Partners,

Thanks for your faithful prayers as I traveled to S. Oregon and N. Calif doing fund-raising for our 2011 trip. It is an exciting time as I see the Lord expand the ministry we are doing in Rwanda. I am so thankful for the doors the Lord has opened and the favor we have found with the government and prison wardens.
International Reconciliation Ministries continues to raise funds for Bibles for Rwanda. It's so difficult to see Rwandans holding out their hands, begging for a Bible and not having enough. From the villagers to the prisoners....the need it huge and at $8.50 for a Bible and Discipleship Booklet in their language....it is a bargain.


"Thank you"
to those of you who donated funds for Bibles for the last trip as we were able to distribute 4,538 Bible sets.

Your prayers would be appreciated as I continue raising funds for Bibles and work on preparations for the 2011 trip.

Blessings upon each one of you.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Sept.28......Prayer Request

Dear Ministry Partners,

Let me first say ....how very much I appreciate your faithful support of me and the ministry God has called us, together, to do.

Village children...No white person had ever been there before!!!

It blesses my heart to know how you cover me with prayer as I continue, with God's leading and strength, to take "one more step".

One step forward is to work towards IRM being registered as a non- profit organization serving in Rwanda. The first draft is done and edits are being worked on as it will be presented in Kinyarwanda, French & English. Please pray for wisdom for us and our Rwandan partners and staff as they work through the "Constitution for IRM".

Also, please continue to pray for our Pilot Program Chaplin/Pastor Teams as they continue, each month, to visit their assigned prison, work with the pastors who received training and submit reports to IRM. These three teams will give us valuable information for making any needed adjustments in our Training Program.

Another step is to travel to Southern Oregon/Northern Calif. to speak in some partnering churches and spend a few days with family and friends.

Please pray that:

• Hearts to be touched with the continuing huge need for Bibles in Rwanda
• The Holy Spirit would give me accurate words to share with everyone, some of what I saw God do during the last trip to that beautiful country.
• Wisdom.... as beginning plans are worked on for the proposed 2-team 2011 IRM trip
• Travel safety

My itinerary is:

• Oct.1 - Travel to Klamath Falls
• Oct.3 - Team Presentation at Klamath Cristian Center
• Oct.4 - planning session for 2011 trip
• Oct.5 - personal business meetings
• Oct.6 - New Horizon Christian Fellowship
• Oct.7 - free
• Oct.8 - free
• Oct.9 - free
• Oct.10 - a.m. Malin Baptist Church
• - p.m. United Family Fellowship
• Oct.11 - travel to Northern, Calif.
• Oct.12 - personal business
  
• Oct.13 - travel home

You are invited to come if you are in the area of a presentation.
Again,......... Thank you partners for your prayers,
Arlene

Sept. 20....Thank You

Ministry Partners and Friends,

Thank you for your faithful prayers concerning my busy ministry schedule for last week.

God provided safety in my traveling and many opportunities to share the love and forgiveness
God provides along with the hope He offers to be set free.
Such an awesome combination Jesus offers us, that we can be...... "Forgiven and set Free."

Every time I share about some of the things I see God do in Rwanda I am reminded of the beautiful people there and the joy it brings me to share God's love with them.

Sharing a Gospel Tract & scarf...a tangible gift of God's love.

I have had a Facebook page for some time that I use mainly for ministry but IRM now has it's own page. Give the IRM page a "like."

Shortly, I will notify you concerning my travels and schedule for Southern Oregon.

Blessing on you, each one,

That none would be lost,
Arlene

Sept. 10, 2010

Ministry Partners and Friends,

I would so appreciate your prayers over me and my very busy schedule for the next week, that my words would bring honor and glory to the Savior. I will be sharing my testimony and the GREAT need for Bibles in Rwanda....

Tomorrow ...Sat. Sept. 11 speaking in Vancouver , Wash.

Monday....Sept.13 ...appointment

Tuesday......Sept. 14 speaking ...New Life Women's Bible Study

Wed......Sept. 15 speaking ... Canby Bible College

Thursday......Sept 16.......meetings and lunch with pastors

Friday......Sept. 17 speaking ...Salem, Ore.

Sat........Sept. 18.... tentative

I am reminded and challenged by the following......

Just Think,
You’re not here by chance,
but by God’s choosing.
His hand formed you
and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else
– you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.

By Roy Lessin

Thanks for the prayers, I am looking forward to seeing all God will accomplish !!

Arlene

Aug. 7, 2010

Ministry Partners and Friends,

I think summer has arrived in the Portland area.

I have finally finished my new Power Point Presentation and I will be sharing it for the first time on Oct. 19th for the Women's Bible Study at Mid-Valley Community Church in Woodburn.
Following are photos and the story about one prison pastor, Pastor Cornelius, that is noteworthy from my presentation.

Alfred, Arlene and Pastor Cornelius, the head pastor that I worked with at Nsinda Prison on three of my previous ministry trips but he had been released when I arrived at the prison last year. Alfred was able to get his contact information and he came to see me on this trip.

Alfred, Arlene and Pastor Cornelius, who traveled 2+ hours on the back of a motor bike (Rwandan taxi) to come and see me, bringing me a photo of his wife and small church. He told me he had been in prison for 4 1/2 yrs. without a trial and at his trial, he was found innocent. He said he was not bitter as he knew God had allowed him to be there so he could share the love of Jesus Christ with the other prisoners, and that he had returned to Nsinda Prison a number of times to share the Gospel. He went with our team on our final day of ministry there and we entered the prison hand in hand. What an wonderful example of submission to God's plan for his life, and not one of anger or bitterness toward God or the men that falsely accused him.....WOW

My friend Pastor Cornelius and his wife, white head wrap & dress, with their church and congregation. His wife kept the church going when he was imprisoned without trial for 41/2 years. He was found innocent and released in 2009 before I arrived for my 6th trip.

With the P.P.P. done I have started some "housecleaning"...not my favorite thing I must admit but I have been able to listen, while I cleaned, to a Southern Gospel Station on my laptop. I heard this group sing this song for the first time and then found it on "youtube". It has a powerful message of God's grace to each of us so I am sharing the link with you, just copy and paste it into your browser.

Be blessed,

The Kingsmen sing "God Saw a Cross"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pILR-wrLRo

Arlene

July 28, 2010

This was not written by me but it could have been written for me!

Wanted

We live in a world of want ads.

Some of them are printed on pages,

many more are unspoken:

Wanted:

A woman who is a perfect friend, mom, wife, coworker, housekeeper, cook, driver, thinker, encourager, and more. Messy, real, in-progress people need not apply.

And so we strive.

But God has a very different idea in mind.

Wanted:

A woman who is imperfect, in need of grace, gloriously gifted, flawed and beautiful who dares to believe she's loved through it all by a God who has an amazing purpose for her life. No need to apply. You're already known. You've already been chosen. The Lord looks at the heart. I SAMUEL 16:7

You've got what it takes.

Because you've got a God who takes you as you are.

Heart to Heart by Holly

Arlene

July 13, 2010

Ministry Partners,

It's hard to believe that I have been home from Rwanda for three weeks. But I am happy to report that my violent cough is almost completely gone,
Thank You Jesus !!!

I have been very busy working on a new Power Point Presentation and I am having so much fun choosing from all the photos the team took while we were there.

Although you saw the first photo in a previous blog, the second and third ones were taken this year. They really make me smile for it reminds me that the Lord does have a marvelous sense of humor........I'll let you figure out what I mean by that.


Arlene at Bishop John Rucyahana's church in Northern Rwanda


Arlene sharing a morning message at Bishop John's Church


A Vicor from Bishop John's church, Arlene & Alfred

The time in Northern Rwanda was wonderful and the team saw the Holy Spirit work in such marvelous ways bringing many to saving knowledge in Jesus Christ.

This weekend my home church is having a "missions weekend" and I will be sharing at the Sat. evening service and both services on Sunday morning. If you are in the area, please come and hear more about the recent trip.

Blessings on you days,

Arlene