God had different plans........

Ministry Partners,

I am not sure when I will get this posted but I just had to let you know how yesterday and today has gone…….QUITE different that what was planned.

All went well at PDX although I was told to go to the Delta counter when in fact I needed to go to the Alaska counter. But God provided a kind Delta employee who gathered my 3 bags onto a cart which he pushed to the appropriate counter.

The flight to Los Angeles went well but upon arrival those traveling to Amsterdam were told that the fright had been delayed by 2 hours and I would not make my connecting flight to Rwanda as planned. I waited at the gate but no one came to man the counter until 30 min. before the new flight time of 4pm.

At 4:15 everyone was boarded and the agent at the door was saying “last call, we need to get in the air” to which I responded “Not without me I need to be on that plane!” The attendant behind the counter had been working all that time trying to get me booked on another flight and had taken the current boarding pass that I originally had.

There was another young man waiting behind me that was also waiting to get rescheduled to Entebi (?sp.). I told him that I thought God was trying to work on my character concerning patience and we both laughed.

I explained to the counter person about the need for me to get to Rwanda for an important meeting with government officials and that I would take any flight or airline that would do that. While I was waiting I remembered praying with Shelly before I left thanking God that I knew He was in control and for going before me and after me. I kept reminding myself of God’s faithfulness, that I would see Him implement His perfect plan….for me and for that important meeting and Amsterdam to Rwanda flight.

Finally, I had my boarding pass in hand along with the paperwork for my Amsterdam to Kigali (by way of Nairobi, Kenya) flight after a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam. But it was not until I arrived in Amsterdam and went to the KLM transfer station that the lady actually gave me my boarding pass and I realized what God had actually provided.

Although I was routed to Kenya with a 2 hr. layover I would arrive Thursday morning at 9am instead of 8pm if I had stayed with the direct one flight a day.

It is now 3pm in Amsterdam and I am exhausted and weary but giving God praise and thanking him AGAIN for his provision and faithfulness. I have not had to wait until I arrived in Rwanda to see God do great things……He is doing them now. I am so thankful too for the KLM agent in L.A. who worked so hard to find a flight that would get me to Kigali before the scheduled meeting.

A nice young man in a electronic store here where I needed to buy a computer cord let me use his phone to call Alfred so he would know my new arrival time in Kigali tomorrow morning AND he is letting me use the store internet feed to get this posted. Another blessing and provision from the Lord's hand!!!

I appreciate your continued prayers.

Giving God praise and thanks,

Arlene

Departure day has finally arrived.............

Ministry Partners,

  

Although each of us is called to be a missionary in our local community, this missionary is thankful for God's direction and provision for this opportunity in Rwanda.
 

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"   Isaiah 61:1 

I appreciate team member Shelly Brown who will pick me up at 5:45 this morning to take me to the airport and then stay to help me when we get there. It's so nice to have her help me and help with the extra luggage, with my carry-on that makes 4 pieces.

I fly from PDX to Los Angeles to Amsterdam and then to Rwanda, arriving there tomorrow evening.

Getting on the internet is sometimes questionable as it is down and often weak but I will try and post as often as I can.

Rwanda...........

 

Bye for now...............

Arlene

1 day to go...............

Ministry Partners,
My day of departure for Rwanda is almost here......tomorrow.

This morning as I chatted with Alfred in Rwanda it appears I am not the only one who is excited as he and our wonderful staff there are also excited for our ministry time together.

  

I am blessed for sure to be an Ambassador for Jesus Christ

Thank you for your prayers concerning the scheduling for an appointment time for me to meet with the Commissioner General of Prisons. The day we requested, May 31, has been approved and set for a face to face meeting. Thank you Jesus! Continue to pray that I would find favor with those I meet with according to God's perfect will in all of this and that I would be an Ambassador worthy of my calling because of the strength, courage and wisdom available to me from the Holy Spirit.

I must again say thank you to each one who prayed and gave sacrificially to the "Bibles for Rwanda Project". Because of your generous financial gifts I was able to order 4,000 Kinyarwanda Bibles. I will go to the printers when I get in Kigali and order the Discipleship Booklets that are needed to go with them.

I know each "set" will be a treasured gift as each receipt will be able to grow in their faith.

Last minute packing and printing of the last papers I need to put in my briefcase will take up today's time and I appreciate my neighbor, Norma, inviting me to dinner so I do not have to cook tonight.

Thank you again for your continuing prayers for all aspects for this ministry, our trip and especially for good soil for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

6 days and counting........

Ministry Partners,

It's hard to believe that the time for my departure to Rwanda for the 9th time is only six days away. Everyone on both sides of the "pond" has been very busy getting final plans and details down on paper.

My trip to the Klamath Falls area went well, thank you for your prayers and 'Thank You" to Malin Baptist Church, United Family Fellowship, Bible Baptist and Klamath Christian Center. I spent the evening of my 68th birthday at Klamath Christian Center, sharing my testimony with about 80 senior High School/College students. What a wonderful group of young people and God gave me a special birthday gift as I watched Him add 7 to the Lambs Book of Life........birthday presents don't get much better than that!!!

There were so many people that did special events that contributed to the "Bibles for Rwanda" project as well as general help for the team. The problem with thanking specific people is that I am sure to leave too many out so please forgive me. But I must thank a group of young girls (Mom's too) who for a second year held a yard sale for the Bible Project. 

 

 I am sorry that not all the girls were available for this photo.

What a blessing it is to see these girls work so hard to raise funds for Bibles, understanding the importance of someone they will never meet having God's Word. Then there was Olive Photography and.... and.... and.... and the person who sacrificed to purchase 1 Bible/Discipleship Booklet set, "THANK YOU" to each one. I wish I had the words to convey what a huge blessing each Bible is. 

TIG Prisoners celebrate at having a copy of God's Word

I learned last Sat. that the government is "holding" the signature of approval for our Prison Ministry application until they can have a face to face meeting with me. I am so pleased, and see God's direction in this, that the Commissioner General of Prisons has requested a personal meeting. Please pray that IRM would find favor in all of the meetings I will have with those in government positions including wardens, as well as God given opportunities with villagers, ect., ect.......

Yesterday, following our last U.S. team meeting, I handed off 4 team suitcases, packed and weighed, 49# each, to team members Pastor Al & Kathy Carpenter and Pastor Shelly Brown. Now it is time to get the final preparation and packing done at my house, Tuesday morning will be here....SOON.

Thank You for your continued prayer and support. Remember there is still time......

Making online donations for Bibles is easy now !
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"

That none would be lost,

Arlene

20 Days and counting........

Ministry Partners,

Just 20 days until I leave for Rwanda and I am thankful for your prayer and financial support as together we "Go and make disciples of all nations."

There is still time for you to participate in the "Bibles for Rwanda" project.

 

Making online donations for Bibles is easy now !

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"

 That none would be lost, 

Arlene

My Current Itinerary.....

Dear Ministry Partners,

I would appreciate your prayers over me, those I share with and my itinerary for the next few months.
I cordially invite you to attend the services if you are in the areas where I will be sharing and/or showing the new Power Point Presentation of the most recent IRM ministry trip to Rwanda.

If I will be in your area and you would like me to share with your church or group perhaps one of the "still open" days or evenings would work for you, just email me prior to April 24.

Before leaving for my 9th trip to Rwanda on May 29th I will try to post a map and itinerary of the team trip so that you can pray specifically for us and each ministry day.

Upcoming itinerary dates and places:

April 21/22 - New Life Foursquare church - all three services - Canby, Ore.
April 27 - Travel to Klamath Falls, Ore.
April 29 - Malin Baptist Church morning service - Malin, Ore.
April 29 - evening service.......still open
April 30 - Klamath Christian Center - evening service - Klamath Falls, Ore.
May 2 ......still open
May 3 - Klamath Christian Center - evening Youth service - Klamath Falls, Ore.
May 4 .......still open
May 5 .......still open
May 6 - Bible Baptist Church - morning - Adult Sunday School Classes - Klamath Falls, Ore.
May 6 - United Family Fellowship evening service - Klamath Falls, Ore.
May 7 - Return to Woodburn
May 29 through June 25 Rwanda, Africa, ministry trip

Thank you for your partnership in ministry, I appreciate your continued prayers.

Arlene

The IRM Office.......

Dear Ministry Partners,

I could not wait until the next newsletter to advise you of the ongoing/new events that are happening with IRM in Rwanda. We are currently being registered with the government as an NGO ( Non-Goverment Org.) and we have a small office in the capitol city, Kigali, in a depressed area where there are no churches.

The IRM Office - Pastor Peter, Arlene, Alfred

The IRM office in Rwanda is very busy serving the local community there and it is manned by Pastor Peter Deyali and his wife Mercule who have the office open all week doing the following types of ministry.

Monday - afternoon - Evangelism Outreach, evening - Discipleship

Tuesday - all day - Spiritual Warfare Engagement

Wednesday - all day - Deliverance and Healing

Thursday – Reconciliation through the Word of God applied to relationships

Friday – 2 to 7 p.m. – Care for HIV/AIDS victims, especially widows & orphans

Last June when we were there they were conducting weekly ministry to 40 HIV/AIDS victims and I found out this morning that they have outgrown the office as that group has now grown to 60.

135 Sunday School children, three days a week

Open air Sunday School classes are currently being held 3 days a week for 2-3 hours for 135 children. These children do not go to school so they as well as their parents are excited for the children to come where they will be taught stories from the Bible and about the love God has for them.

I would appreciate your prayers for the following:

• The May/June trip in general
  
• Open hearts for the Gospel message
• Travel and health safety for the team
• Funds for IRM Team ministry
  
• Funds for Bibles
• How YOU might be more involved.

I am currently preparing to leave PDX for Rwanda on May 29, the team, Pastor Al and Kathy Carpenter and Shelly Brown, will leave PDX on June 7 and we will all return to Portland on June 25.
I am giving God praise for the opportunity to watch Him do mighty things during our ministry time as a team.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

That none would be lost,

Arlene