June 15......

Sorry these postings are late but we have not had internet service.

 

June 15 --- Today has been there interesting day. As we made our way to the dining out for breakfast we passed by Philbert and his newly washed van. He has been a wonderful addition to the team and is such a safe driver. He also is so gracious to help us any time we need our “stuff” loaded or unloaded from the van even though that’s not part of his job as a driver. I could not help but smile when he asked if he could have an IRM badge with his name on it, of course I was glad to give him one.

After a breakfast of Tea, Coffee, bread/toast, hard boiled eggs and a variety of fruits it was time to load the van with our supplies and some of the Bible sets.

 After checking with the Deputy Warden at Changugu prison yesterday, today was our first day of ministry. We had been told yesterday that we would have the Crusades today. Because there was no common meeting area where I could speak to the entire group the prisoners it was suggested that I do one crusade for women and youth and 2 crusades for the two different men's section of the prison.

Philbert made a number of trips back to the Guest house to load Bibles and deliver then to the prison to be stored until we need them.

I was relieved due to the time constraints that I would be doing just two crusades today, men & women and men & youth. The Deputy Warden entered with us to the first Crusade but only stayed until after the worship time and his introduction of me and the team.

The first crusade was in a long somewhat narrow area surrounded be walls of window openings on one side. Prisoners peering through “window” openings in the wall made us very aware that bunks meant many prisoners would listen from their living space.

There is just nothing like listening to these prisoners sing. Their loud powerful voices give no evidence of the life they live behind these walls. I was so pleased to be able to listen to them while we waited for the women prisoners to arrive. When they were seated I asked the Deputy Warden if I could go greet them as the sound “guys” were still trying to get the microphones adjusted. I was sure not to do that before getting permission.

The women were hesitant at first but then began to smile and extend their hands to greet me. It was interesting to watch the men prisoners commenting to each other as they intently watched me greet each woman.

Finally the sound system was ready and worship began with one young prisoner leading them then Alfred took over and led a couple of songs.

The Deputy Warden introduced me and made comments about the ministry I have been doing in Rwanda and the prisons. I then introduced the team ending with introducing Alfred, my adopted son, and Pastor Jerome, my spiritual son.

Pastor Jerome is such a special man with a powerful testimony. He identified another prisoner who was actually a prisoner at the 1930 Central Prison at the same time he was there. The other prisoners laughed when Jerome announced how he and the other inmate knew each other.

Then he shared how he accepted God’s free gift of salvation at one of the crusades I did at the 1930 Prison, he then took the Spiritual Leaders training the next year, was released, studied to become a pastor himself and is now pasturing a Foursquare church.

The Deputy Warden left us as he said he had other duties to attend to.

I wish I had the words to express what the faces look like, how intently they listen to each word the Holy Spirit gives me to share. Pastor Shelly later said, “It is amazing to me how you can walk in among them and because of your age, they view you with such respect. Their eyes are always on you, never looking at the rest of us, looking at Alfred as he interprets then back to you."

Once again, being 68 is a good thing!!!

Because I was only preaching at 2 crusades today instead of 3 it is a confirmation that after I give the invitation I should also talk to them about forgiving themselves and lead them in a prayer to do so.

All the responses show that God has gone before us and the Holy Spirit has prepared their hearts. 

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Arlene

June 13....by Shelly Brown

June 13 --- Today we entered the Changugu Prison.  We are down by the Congo border.  You can see the first town on the border across the lake from where we are staying.  It is beautiful here but the ride across their forest was rough.  Kathy and I both got sick.  We did get to see a couple monkeys along the way.

The place we are staying is beautiful.  God took care of us and has given us a place of peace and rest to return to the next few nights.

The guards at the prison gate were expecting us.  As soon as we drove up the guards opened the gates for us without checking our passports, taking our cell phones or even asking who we were. 

One of the first things we saw was the outdoor kitchen with  multiple pots that were around 200 gallons each starting to boil and having beans added to them.

There are a lot of prisoners here at this camp, so many that the prison is sectioned off into two different men’s areas and a woman’s area.  We completed a crusade in 2 of the areas. 

It is truly amazing to me that they let you walk in with the prisoners and shut and lock the door behind you.  You are in a common area with them and they are waiting for you all sitting in their portable chairs.  There were so many men in the second crusade that I felt like I was in a sardine can.

Arlene has a unique ability to be able to get up and speak to the men in these facilities and she has their complete attention. 

A majority of the men stood for salvation and even more for a prayer of forgiveness to be able to forgive themselves from the things they had done.  It was a good day.  

The Warden and Assistant Warden of Public Affairs are both Christians and are so encouraging of the men  living a life for Christ.

Pastor Al and Alfred and Pastor Peter have over 112 Spiritual Leaders (12 women pastors) to train the next two days as well, more than they have had at any other prison.

  There are only 150 women here which is surprising considering the number of men here.

I ate something that didn’t agree with me last night so I have stayed behind today.  I am thankful for the people I am with and their care of me on this trip.  We haven’t had internet service very much and when we have it has been very week so we haven’t had the ability to post.  We can tell your praying for us.  THANK YOU!  Shelly

June 8........

Ministry Partners,

Today has been busy making final preparations for the teams arriving tonight.

This is just to let everyone know they arrived safe and sound and God's additional blessing was that all their luggage also arrived.

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Arlene

June 7.....Rilima Prison

Ministry Partners,


June 7 --- Rilima Prison will be our ministry area today.
Alfred arrived for another omelet breakfast but not a special like yesterday. 


It’s too bad that the Frinks, Foursquare missionaries here, were not able to go with us yesterday or today. But I have begun a friendship with them and I am looking forward to keeping in touch with them for next year. Pastor Augustine will not be able to go with us today either as he had an appointment this morning.


Pastor Jerome arrived and we loaded up the van with the Bibles and water we need. We were able to leave at 10 and we picked up Pastor Peter, Pastor Innocent (one of our Foursquare follow-up pastors from last year) and Pastor Alexis along the way. 


The hour drive to the prison is the same road that that will go to the new airport. You can see that improvements are going on everywhere and we passed a new huge new Hotel that is being built and the road side is lighted.


As we turned off the main road onto a rutted dirt road and as we were being jostled around Alfred stated “Now you are receiving an African massage.” It’s been a long time since I laughed so hard for so long. What a wonderful group of godly men the Savior has given me to serve along side.


The improvements to the prison are amazing; I can’t help but remember the first time I came here. The difference is wonderful.
We were ushered into the warden’s office and as the warden, a tall strikingly beautiful woman, approached me I extended my hand but she gave me a huge hug as she said, “Don’t you remember me?” The warden was in fact the warden at the 1930 Prison when I visited there a few years ago. We had immediately found favor!!!
She told us that she had the photo of us hanging in her office until last week and she had asked herself, “I wonder if I will ever see that lady again?” She is a Christian and so very supportive of the work we are doing.


She, of course, knew Pastor Jerome and she knew Pastor Alexis. She served us coffee and fruit juice and we had a wonderful visit until about 1:30. Again she would not allow photos but she did allow me to have another one taken of us.


They have a sewing program there and after she told us of a “need” for the woman I told her I would be glad to develop a pattern and email it to her so the women could start making them.


We could hear the prisoners singing before we ever entered the prison and inside the prison walls was different than I had ever seen it. There was a tent for me to speak from and a large empty area in front with prisoners seated and standing in a “U” shape.


The choir was singing and I am again reminded again that there is just nothing like listening to their powerful voices singing. I always hope that the electricity will go out so that the keyboard and guitars will NOT overpower their beautiful voices like they sometimes do.
It was wonderful to see the familiar faces of the Spiritual Leaders and to greet them.


When the Choir was finished singing Alfred led the prisoners in praise and worship while Pastor Jerome danced with them in the center open area. Alfred is struggling with some sinus issues and in the sunshine and heat at one point he handed the mike to Jerome to lead then in a song before he finished with the final one.


Introductions of the team followed before I addressed the Spiritual Leaders.


I preached and gave an invitation making it very clear with my question, “How many times did Jesus dye on the cross?……1time, followed by “And how many time does a person receive God’s free gift of salvation…..1 time.” 


Alfred softly sang a song of invitation while Pastor Peter encouraged the prisoners to make a good choice for themselves like I had talked about in my message. Pastor Innocent and Pastor Alexis stood with Pastor Peter while Pastor Jerome and I went between the prisoners who had come forward and the other prisoners encouraging them from time to time with a wave of our hand to come forward. 


Pastor Peter led those who had come forward in prayer and then for a few moments he spoke a word of encouragement to them.
The prisoners who had responded to the invitation then began to sing, dance and give God praise. There are not words to accurately express what the Holy Spirit was doing in all of this. A person just had to be there!!!!!


The Lord gave me a very special gift as the sound system lost power and I could observe and hear them worship……it was a wonderful gift.


I then told them about the expansion of IRM and that I may not return but I was leaving then in the good and capable hands of the Spiritual Leaders. I told them that if I did not see them there in the prison or outside I would see those who knew Jesus as their Savior in heaven. I told them that I had already asked God that when I died could I stand with the other Rwandan people in heaven to praise and worship him. Their response told me they agreed to my request. I was crying and some of the prisoners were also crying. They sang another song of worship led by the head Security guard, who is born again while I shook the hands of each of the Spiritual Leaders.


While we were packing up a young prisoner came and said my talk had touched him and he wanted to give me a gift. He reached under his shirt and pulled out a small wooden framed picture that he had drawn……it will be a treasured picture on my wall at home.
The Rwandans are big on relationships and these prisoners have captured my heart. I never would have ever imagined the love God has given me for them and all Rwandans.


We were ushered back into the warden office and she inquired how this had gone. She was so happy to hear of the salvation decisions and asked me if I could return tomorrow for another crusade. Oh my goodness, what favor we had found with her. Her invitation came although we had no government approval to do so!!!!!


I was disappointed to have to tell her that I had other commitments but she understood when I showed her a copy of our itinerary.
As we left the prisons I fixed everyone the “traditional” PB&J or Honey sandwich and after eating the guys started singing worship songs. The strong and powerful voices of those 5 men filled the van all the way to Kigali, such a wonderful sound. 


Alfred and I ate dinner together before he left for home about 9, we will have a very busy day with final preparations for the team tomorrow.


This wonderful day was another one designed by God’s own hand. Thank you God for allowing us to watch you work. I give you praise.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Arlene

June 6........

Ministry Partners, 

 

June 6 --- It’s hard to believe that our first day of prison ministry is here.

Alfred arrived at 8 so we were able to have breakfast together. The special omelet that he had was huge. He tried to convince me that it had bread in it until I reached over with my fork and took a bite. It was in fact potato like I suspected.

Pastor Augustine, a pastor I met a number of years ago, arrived. It was so good to see him again. Vicky asked me to introduce him to Pastor Peter. We spent some time praying about the day and then loaded the van with Bibles and water.

When Philbert arrived with the van, he had gotten the seats recovered and they looked ever so nice. He still has to get a couple of them installed tomorrow. 

We left at 10 and picked up Pastor Peter and Bishop Alexis on the way to Nsinda Prison. It was such a beautiful drive and although so much of the landscape was familiar there were many improvements with freshly painted buildings and areas planted with shrubs and other decorative plants.

We arrived at the prison about 11 and the security guards held us at the gate for some time. 

What a great opportunity to get out of the van and greet some of the ladies that were standing nearby. It appears that today is visiting day for the prisoners. I am so glad that I put a package of scarves and tracts in my backpack. Handing them the scarves brought such smiles to their faces, especially one very old woman.

The large truck that pulled up behind our van kept tooting its horn but we had no other option but to wait for the very slowly walking senior guard that was walking up the road in our direction. He checked over our paperwork very carefully and then the gates were opened for us to enter.

Some prisoners were very busy in the “brick” area but the improvements to the grounds from the first time I was here are really something.  Brick flower beds and greenery make the appearance far more appealing.

When I got out of the van a group of women prisoners recognized me immediately and we began waving to each other. I had Pastor Augustine ask the guard if I could greet the women and he said yes. The women surrounded me and were chattering and laughing as they vigorously hugged me. I realized later that it was something I should not have done as I got chastised later by the warden.

We were finally ushered into the warden’s office and at fist he seemed quite authoritative and stern. After he came from behind his desk over to the seating area Alfred began to joke with him and “hi 5” him to which he softened up and began smiling and laughing. Although he appreciated the gifts I brought him, a Bible and Discipleship Booklet, IRM t-shirt and 2 lovely men’s ties, he made it clear that I had done the wrong thing in greeting the women prisoners first before I greeted him. Hummmm…….a lesson well learned. I will not make that mistake again at any prison.

This slender small built but very stern warden told us that although he had been a warden for 13 years, he had only been a warden at Nsinda for 3 days. Alfred had me tell him about IRM and my heart for the prisoners and how God called me to take the Gospel into the prisons. Then he started questioning me about my personal testimony to which I told him he would need to come to the crusade to hear all of it but he continued to press me with “small” direct questions until finally I told him I would be glad to share it with him. Little did I know that he would come to most of the crusade to hear me again.      

We had entered the warden’s office at about 11:30 and it was now 2:00pm. before he acknowledged that we could proceed inside the prison for the crusade. And although he allowed us to take a photo with him and the Deputy Warden, who had also sat through our meeting, he made it very clear that even though the Commissioner General had told us the kind of photos we could take, the documents he signed did not state so specifically therefore, he could not allow them to be taken.

We also gave the Deputy Warden a Bible/Booklet set before leaving.

Entering the actual prison seemed so familiar and yet they had made improvements. The large meeting area had a cement floor and metal structure beams to hold a covering which was not yet finished.

I greeted the prison pastors while Pastor Augustine took my cordless headset to get it hooked to sound. Quickly he returned saying the he had plugged it in without the adapter and had fried the plug/cord. I was thankful that the prison had one we could use. I like the cordless so I do not have to hold a mike, I can just hold my Bible as I walk and preach.

It was wonderful to hear the singing as we waited for them to bring the women in. They started entering right in front of the platform so I quickly went down to the walkway and greeted each woman. I had to keep the line moving forward as each one tried to stop and African greet me. Knowing what I knew……this was so important for me.

After that singing Alfred led them in worship and praise. He does such a wonderful job of getting all the prisoners involved, not leaving it to a performance by the choirs. Then it was time for introductions for the IRM “team” that was there. 

Alfred introduced me and I in turn introduced Bishop Alexis, Pastor Augustine, Pastor Peter Deyali and Pastor Jerome, followed by my introduction of Alfred. Prisoners always laugh out loud when I introduce him as my adopted son and then ask them “But don’t we look alike?”, patting his very dark cheek and my very white cheek. This time I also had Pastor Jerome standing with Alfred and I told the prisoners that he was my Spiritual son and he would share with them how that came about.

Pastor Jerome gave a wonderful testimony about being a prisoner 3 times, for forgery of government documents, at the 1930 Central Prison, attending a crusade I did there and then the following year he took the Spiritual Leaders Training that IRM offered. That’s when he met Pastor Peter Ndikumana from the Foursquare Church here that was on our team and one of the follow-up pastors. When he was released he started his studies to become a licensed Foursquare pastor. His church is the one I preached at last Sunday.

Sometime we/others wonder exactly what kind of impact we are having in the prisons. Pastor Jerome’s testimony is just one story and a wonderful one that causes us to offer thankgiving and praise to our Lord for the opportunities He is allowing IRM to be a part of.   

Then it was time for me to preach and give an invitation as Alfred sang a “soft” song of invitation followed by Pastor Peter leading them in a prayer to receive God’s free gift of salvation. It’s such a powerful site to watch the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of these prisoners. Pastor Peter then spoke words of encouragement to the Christian prisoners for a few minutes.

I told the prisoners that because of the expanding work IRM is doing all over Rwanda I might not see them again but I was not abandoning them as there were now trained pastors that would continue their work with them and that Pastor Jerome would be their follow-up Pastor.

I told them to remember that I loved them and I would continue to pray for them, it was then I could not contain the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

The warden who had been sitting there stood and addressed the inmates and said some VERY kind words about me and the IRM ministry as a whole.

The choir sang another song before it was time for us to leave. As I walked past the women I touched as many as I could. I never dreamed saying goodbye would be soooooo hard.

Once outside we said our goodbye’s to the warden and thanked him for welcoming us as the Bibles were unloaded.

Before leaving the Kayonza area we stopped by the home of Katilda, the friend I met years ago that has a shattered arm. I wanted to check on her and leave her a few supplies. 

When I entered the clearing at the house, there she was, my 78 yr. old friend, sitting outside on a mat. I quickly went to her and got down on the mat and put my arms around her. She tried to turn around to face me better but was unable to and fell over in her struggle. A neighbor came and helped her get turned around and seated upright as Katilda explained that she is now pretty much paralyzed.

I put my arms around her again and we held hands, while at times I just cupped her cheek in my other hand. I introduce her to the Pastors while she told them how I cried when I first met her. She told me that since she had not seen me in such a long time (last year) that she had been worried about me and my health. Oh my goodness, my precious friend was worried about me!!!!!!

It was getting dark and I knew it was time to go so the pastors gathered around us, laid hands on her and we prayed for her. I had been able to keep the tears at bay while I sat with her but as I left the clearing they fell unbridled down my cheeks.

The van was pretty much silent on the way back to Kigali. The sight and condition of my dear friend had impacted us all. 

After returning to Moucecore Alfred and I had dinner and discussed preparations for the team’s arrival on Friday evening.

I have not been sleeping well but I will go to bed at 9 tonight.

Appreciate your  continued prayers,

Arlene

June5 - Another day filled with God's blessings.....

Ministry Partners,

It's been another beautiful and busy day for us in Rwanda.

Alfred arrived early and we had breakfast together so that we could be at the Bible Society early this morning.

We discovered that the cost of the Bibles had gone up. I had hoped that the value of the dollar would be more here and that we would get an additional amount of Bibles like we did last year but that was not the case. Although we were given a 5% discount the money we wired was short of actually purchasing the 4,000 Bibles that I thought it would. But we have really found favor with Octave the Manager, who apologized for not informing me of the price change.

He told us that they always do a year end tally of everyone who purchases scriptures from them and he informed us that IRM was one of the top 5 Bible purchasers in the country of Rwanda last year!!! And because of that he felt led to add the Bibles that we were short to meet our desired 4,000. Then he said he would arrive on Tuesday morning, the morning we are traveling to Changugu, at 6:30 to facilitate his men loading our truck so we would not have to pay for storage somewhere until then. The guest house where we stay is letting us share one of their supply rooms for the Bibles we will use in the Kigali area as well as the 96 cases of water Alfred purchased today. The store room they gave us last year was already taken.

We did some banking and I can tell you it is far different than what I am used too. LONG waits, an hour or more is not unusual, and each transaction is done at a different window.....deposits, withdrawals, transfers, exchanges, ect., ect.....................

We headed back to Moucecore around noon but we were to busy for lunch so we grabed some jerky and a granola bar. Then Alfred was off to town while I spent the afternoon doing paper work and making calls to previous contacts and new contacts.

Alfred advised that we purchase all our water at one time to procure the best price as well as he said since it is the dry season and that the water would very soon start getting more expensive. Besides it is bottled here and there is no use paying a huge price for company transported water in Changugug and Butari. Once again God went before us as he was able to purchase the 96 cases for 3,000 frw each instead of 3,500 frw,.

Pastor Peter went first thing this morning to the Commissioner Generals office at their instruction and was shifted from one office to another by the staff there. Finally about 3 o'clock Emmanuel, the man we met with the Commissioner on the day of my arrival, found Pastor Peter waiting in the hall and within a few minutes Pastor Peter had the signed document for us to do the prison ministry in hand. Thank you Jesus, for sure.

Emmanuel even saw to it that the days, now past, that we were to go to Nsinda and Relima Prison (ooops Correctional Facilities....new name) were rescheduled for tomorrow and Thursday. They told us in our meeting last week how important it was to them that we continue to do evangelism in the prisons here. It appears they were serious. Pastor Peter will have to return to the office on Friday to obtain the signed paperwork for our ministry to the TIG camps as it was not available today. Please pray that it will not take all day....according to God's will. 

 God's blessings continued to pour out upon us today as Alfred went to the printers to get our Discipleship Booklets printed. Last year we paid $.60 each but today we paid $.50.

I was informed by Pastor Al that there were new Foursquare missionaries here in Kigali, Rory & Pam Frink, so I emailed them before I left PDX and they gave me their contact number here. I called them this afternoon and they graciously invited us to a very delicious dinner along with Pastor Fidel and his wife and friend. Pastor Fidel said he met Pastor Ron at the Foursquare Convention but we were unable to visit much with them as they had to leave right after dinner.

But we had a wonderful lengthy visit with our hosts and Alfred and I both liked them very much. They live right behind Kimiroko Correctional Facility and they are interested in the ministry we are doing as they were also involved in  some Prison Ministry in the states. We could tell this was the beginning of a good friendship. Because of our conversations I invited them to accompany our team of 7 going to Nsinda tomorrow. Everyone is to meet here at 10 to go to Kayonza, where the prison is.

For those who have heard me speak of her, I will see my special friend, Katilda, tomorrow, Lord willing.

On the way home Alfred purchased our bread and honey to go with our Peanut Butter for our traditional lunches tomorrow. 

It's after midnight so best call it a day, I'm feeling fine just but not sleeping well. Too excited about too many things I guess.

We are all praying and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the American team on Friday evening.

Appreciate your continued prayers,

Arlene

June 4- Todays actual activities.........

Ministry Partners,


I decided since my notebook is working, the internet is working and I am able to post at least to this blog that I probably should do the actual one for today and then I am caught up.

June 4 --- Alfred arrived at 7:30 and we had a French toast, Peanut Butter, pineapple and Rwandan tea breakfast before heading off to the IRM office. I want to see the children we are ministering to and to sort the supplies that we left last year.It was good to see Philbert again and it’s nice to know we will have a van driver that is such a safe one.

The office and property are so small and 140 children just means there are children EVERYWHERE. A couple of times I crouched down to get at eye level with them but the crush of sweet little bodies was so great that when I tried to stand up I couldn’t. Alfred could not help laughing as he pushed through and extended a hand to help me stand.

A mass of tiny hands were all in my hair, just trying to touch, while there were so many other ting hands rubbing all over my arms and hands that at times I could not even see my own skin.

Alfred got a wonderful photo of one little girl who cupped my face in her hands and just looked so intently into my eyes. These most precious sweet children would steal even the most hardened heart.

Alfred moved our stored tubs from inside the computer office to a side storeroom so that we could sort them. Everything except for one tub we will take with us today to Moucecore and hopefully everything will be given away by the end of this trip.

Pastor Peter arrived back from the Commissioner General’s office without the signed document in hand but he was assured by Emmanuel that he could pick up the papers tomorrow with the days to visit Nsinda and Rilima changed to Wednesday and Thursday.

I am watching God work in Rwanda, in our itinerary and in my life and yet as he unfolds his plan for each day it catches me off guard because I am still so amazed to be a part of it all. Just when you think "all is lost" it is just other huge opportunity for God to show his power, blessings and faithfulness. Since I do not know the new way to say "I give you praise Lord" I will just have to keep saying it the same way…… I gave you praise Lord!!!

Pastor Peter, Alfred and I spent some time in a meeting to discuss the IRM property, ministries and where we think we can improve during the next year.

I hired two young men to carry the tubs down the road to our van and I could not help but grab my camera to take a photo. One of the young boys stacked two of the huge largest tubs on top of his head. He must have one of the strongest necks ever.

One of the ladies from my Singles group, Lynn, had given me a lovely black and red shawl to give away and as I saw one woman walking down the road past our van I felt she was just the right person to give it to. She was a young woman on crutches and it was very evident that the gift would be a huge blessing to her. I had Alfred explaine to her about the lady who had given me the shawl and that the lady wanted it to go to someone very special.

It was almost heartbreaking to watch her sad eyes twinkle followed by a very charming smile. I asked her if I could please take a photo with her and her smile got larger as we hugged.

As soon as the van was loaded Alfred and I went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant before returning to Moucecore. Once it was unloaded Alfred left to go pick up my computer and run some IRM errands. I will be so glad to get it back and in good working order.

I did some paperwork in his absence, determining how much bottled water we were going to need for each area we will be doing ministry in and how many Bibles would be distributed in each ministry area, making final adjustments tomorrow after visiting the Rwanda Bible Society.

As soon as Alfred returned with the computer he plugged it in, we turned it on …… and it worked!!!!!

While we were eating dinner Alfred took an important phone call and when he hung up, with a smile he said "Next year you will be hosted at a dinner at the Governor's home, it's about 10 min. from here." I do not think there are very many people in this country that he does not have a connection with !!!!!

After eating dinner we returned to our living area where we both worked on our computers and talked about IRM business at the same time. I asked him to please remind me to get Pastor Al some real coffee when we go to town for supplies. I can’t imagine why he does not like the instant that they serve here. 

There is so much to get done before the team arrives on Friday evening. I think however he is right, if God brings me back to Rwanda next year, I need to come two to three weeks before the next team I bring.

Everything in Rwanda seems to take two to four times longer, at least, to get accomplished. It's a slower pace here than what we're used to in America and although it's really very nice it can be frustrating when there is so much to get done in such a short time.

Firefox will not allow me to get on Gmail or post this to Facebook

so if someone would like to post these last three on their fb page or the church link ....... please do. 

Alfred finally went home about nine and since it is 11:30 here I think I will also call it a night. Alfred will be here early tomorrow as we have another really busy day scheduled.

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Arlene