Rwanda, 12 days and counting........

The days are passing so quickly as I work on final preparations for the trip.


The beauty of the country is dwarfed by the beauty of the people.

This will be my 7 trip to Rwanda and I am no longer surprised by the broad smiles midst such a sea of poverty. They have been through so much and have so little. Yet as one orphan, who knows Jesus as his Savior, responded to my question about his constant smile "I refuse to allow satan to steal from me what God has put in my heart".
Such wisdom from that man !!!

Although this first IRM Team is small, God has knit together such a powerful group of men and women, all willing to allow the Holy Spirit to stretch and equip them. It makes me smile as I hear questions followed by "I've never done this before" because I am saying....
the same thing.
The logistics of taking my own team are really something and I am thankful for all the IRM team partners that contribute to accomplishing every detail.
What a pleasure to have a team where everyone is willing to share unfamiliar responsibilities, serving each other while we serve the people of Rwanda.

I am so thankful for God's design and direction in ALL of this. I stand in awe of everything He is doing with IRM and in my life.
I am continually giving HIM praise.

Not only are we busy preparing to go but our Rwandan team is busy preparing for our arrival. The Core Team had their final preparation meeting yesterday. Almost daily I internet chat with Alfred, the IRM Operations Supervisor, about all he is doing on his side of the ocean, to ready things for this first IRM team ministry trip.

We appreciate your continued prayers and support.

Arlene

Continue to pray...

Ministry Partners,

In just 18 days the IRM Team leaves for Rwanda. Following is today's AP article concerning the volcano in Iceland and how European flights are still being effected.

Ash delays, reroutes trans-Atlantic flights

AP – This image provided by NASA shows the ash plume from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano over the North Atlantic …

By SLOBODAN LEKIC, AP Aviation Writer Slobodan Lekic, Ap Aviation Writer – 1 min ago

BRUSSELS – Hundreds of flights between Europe and North America were either delayed or canceled on Saturday due to the spreading cloud of volcanic ash stretching across much of the northern Atlantic, the European flight control agency said.

Flights had to be rerouted north over Greenland or south over Spain to avoid the 1,200-miles (2,000-kilometer)-long cloud stretching from Iceland to northern Spain, Eurocontrol said. This will increase flying times by about an hour in either direction.

"We assume that basically most of the trans-Atlantic flights will have to be rerouted on Saturday," Eurocontrol spokeswoman Kyla Evans said. "We expect substantial delays because of that."

Approximately 600 airliners make the oceanic crossing every day. Around 40 percent will be rerouted southward and the rest will skirt Iceland from the north.

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I am thankful our tickets were purchased some time ago - Thank You Jesus - as I understand flights to Europe are now running $8,000 to $11,000.

Please continue to hold us and our travel plans up in prayer. Every member of the Team appreciates your continued and faithful prayer covering.

Phil.4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Prov.3:5 & 6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Arlene
for the Team

National Day of Prayer ........

No ocean can hold it back.
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it.
No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.

No force on earth is more powerful or effective than the power of prayer. Linn Carlson, DaySpring writer

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NRSV

Prayer is America's hope. Thursday, May 6 is the 59th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer. Join with millions of people around the world in prayer for America. We invite you to be part of interceding for our nation, leaders, communities and families. One prayer, one heart at a time, we can change our nation!

The LORD is Good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him... Nahum 1:7 NIV

Arlene

Preparations continue....

Ministry Partners,

Today I returned from Southern Oregon where my family celebrated our Mother's 85th birthday.

While there, I met with the Team that is accompanying me to Rwanda and handed off pieces of luggage filled with supplies you have so generously donated. Scarves, ties and re-usable purchased and hand made shopping bags. It is an exciting thing to see women use their sewing talent to bless other women, half way around the world. One group from Klamath Falls made and hemmed over 140 cotton scarves and women from New Life Church in Canby made and decorated more that 40 beautiful shopping bags.

The women who receive these tangible gifts of Gods love will be blessed.

Women from the Reconciliation Village receive a tract & scarf.

As the days become filled with so many things that must be done in preparation for our departure I am reminded of the following poem and verse.

In busy places and quiet places -
God knows you by name,
sees your heart,
understands your needs,
and keeps on taking care of you.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1 NKJV

Arlene

God has poured out His blessing upon us.......

"Thank you".........

Ministry Partners for faithfully praying, believing and expecting, along with the IRM Team, that God would grant our prayers and that the IRM Team would find favor with the Rwandan Government concerning the new ministry we knew God was calling us to do in the prisons on this up-coming May/June trip.

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I received the answer to our prayers a few moments ago.
This time God has chosen to answer our prayers with a ...."YES".
We applied for a total of 16 Prison Ministry days (twice as many as last year) in 7 different prisons and the government approved 20 days for the entire team. They also approved one visit to Butari Prison, that will be a new one to me.
I am excited to see what new opportunities God will provide for the additional days that are now open for the women team members.

"We give you thanks and praise dear God for answering our prayers in such a wonderful way. Thank you for allowing us to find favor with the government officials in Rwanda. Please, give us direction as we continue to prepare for the ministry you have laid before us to do and continue to prepare the hearts of those we will have opportunity to minister to.
Again, we praise you and give you thanks".

I appreciate the faithfulness of each of you as you continue to hold IRM and this team up in prayer.
Thank You.

Arlene
for the Team

Prayer Request........

Alfred Mupenzi, the IRM Operations Supervisor in Rwanda, has notified me that Prison Fellowship Rwanda has just submitted our request to do Prison Ministry to the Rwandan government. The request is to do general preaching and implement two new programs, the "Pilot Program" for training prisoners who are pastors and the Women's Day Conferences for women prisoners.

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PLEASE, PRAY....PRAY....PRAY....
.....that IRM's request would find favor with the government officials who need to give their approval. We should receive their decision within the next three weeks and I will inform you of their decision (positive, please dear Jesus) as soon as I receive confirmation.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Busy days.......

Although this photo reminds me of the work involved in preparing the Kinyarwanda Bibles for distribution, every day here is filled with tasks in preparation for the first IRM led ministry team trip to Rwanda.

Administration duties have now been added to my schedule as IRM's role in Rwanda is expanding.
I am so thankful for all the individuals, gifted in their own area of expertise, that God has brought along side to help. "Team" does not just refer to the groups that will now be accompanying me to Rwanda but to those who so faithfully support me here with their talents.

Two women's sewing groups have stepped up to use their talents to bless the women of Rwanda. The group from Klamath Falls made beautiful scarves and the group from New Life Foursquare church made colorful and sturdy shopping bags. All tangible gifts of God's love.

Norma, my neighbor, has accompanied me to speaking engagements and helped with typing and the packaging of scarves, ties and now the shopping bags that have been so graciously donated by ministry partners. Disposable plastic bags are illegal in Rwanda so purchased or handmade shopping bags are a very useful gift.
My living room and dining room have many suitcases filled with these and other supplies.

My excitement grows as the trip days approach and as I speak with the teammates the excitement in their voices is evident as well.

Hopefully, with God's leading, this is the first of many teams IRM will provide ministry outreach for. Our trip departure date of May 26 will be here before we know it
........48days and counting.

Arlene