"27 Days and Counting"

The time has gone slowly and yet so very quickly as I have been focused on the Sept.24 trip. Every day more things get crossed off the very long "to do" list. Today was a big one as I turned in the message the Holy Spirit gave me to my friend Bobbie, at the church, to type for me. This one, "Fear" is about not allowing fear to motivate us into making poor choices for ourselves. Choices that are out of the will of God for us and far from His good and perfect plan for us. Funny, as God gives me a new message each trip for the prisoners and a message for the villagers, how much each message speaks into my own heart. To guide, challenge and encourage me as I continue to take small steps forward, all with His leading, strength and courage. I am so thankful for the many pastors at New Life Church who support me and give me wise council.

I met this lady in a village one day and although she was quite ill, a stool was provided for me to sit on and wait as she dressed in her "Sunday Best" to greet me. I was surprised to learn that I was the first "white" woman to ever visit there. As I heard voices hollering through the trees many villagers appeared in the clearing, just to see this odd woman with the pale white skin. Notice I did not say "old" as they think I am
40 - 45 !!!
And you wonder why I like being there?

This has been an exciting time for me as I have seen God open so many doors of opportunity not only in Rwanda but also here with many new churches allowing me to come and share some of what I see God doing in Rwanda and IRM's involvement there. Two weeks ago I had a wonderful time in Eugene, Oregon, sharing at Jubilee World Outreach Church and this weekend I will be sharing at New Life Church.

IRM Operations Supervisor, Alfred Mupenzi says Pastor Deo from Prison Fellowship International - Rwanda, has confirmed my itinerary with the wardens and others. Alfred is doing a wonderful job for IRM on his side of the globe.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Arlene

Prayer List

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
I hope you are enjoying all the additions and changes Pastor Dustin is doing to the IRM site just as much as I am. I know the completed site is going to be a good one.




Just one of the beautiful animals of Rwanda


Please check the link to the itinerary page and download a copy for yourself. It will help you know the areas of ministry we will be doing while we are in Rwanda and how best to start praying even now.

Please pray that:

• The Holy Spirit would prepare the hearts of the Rwandan people for the "Gospel" and the "Forgive Your Enemies" messages
• What we plant, water and harvest will have positive results for God's kingdom
• The IRM team and I would find GREAT favor with the wardens and everyone we have the privilege to meet and work with
• God would open many unscheduled doors of opportunity
• The Holy Spirit would give me wisdom, courage and clarity of mind as I prepare my messages now and when I actually speak in Rwanda
• The team would have safe air and in-country travel
  
• The team would stay healthy now, while in Rwanda and for my personal health needs
  

Thank you for your prayers.

Arlene

IRM, Arlene and this new beginning

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,
How exciting to be starting this trip with the web site and this blog, another new beginning! Words cannot express how grateful I am to Pastor Dustin Brown for getting the site going and Mike Gill for all the general computer help. I could not be doing all of this without the help from so many people, gifted in different areas of service, willing to partner and encourage me. I have never done any "blogging" so I would appreciate your patience and prayers as I learn this new skill. Dustin and I felt this would be an important feature to have on the site so I could keep you informed of the events of the day, while I am in Rwanda, especially, since flexibility is the name of the game while we are there and unplanned events are bound to occur. This blog will not only keep you informed but it will help you know how to pray as "things" come up or change. It will also be a great way for you to "Praise the Lord" along with us each day as we watch God work.

I have uploaded a photo, yahoo!!!!, it worked, of one of the dear ladies that I worked with on the last trip, she was so happy to finally have a Bible of her very own. Her name is Vastina, pray for her as she is dying. I am scheduled to revisit this group of 26 precious ladies and spend the day with them. I am so looking forward to reconnecting with them and Pastor Deo says they continue to pray for me. I am blessed by such a very special gift!!!

Plans are in full swing for the Sept. 24 trip to Rwanda with only seven weeks to go, it will be here before we know it.

That's all for today as I need to see if I did this correctly.
Arlene