June 22 -

Ministry Partners,

Yesterday morning provided some unscheduled challenges that I watched the Lord display His faithfulness to and gave his grace to cover.
In the afternoon events changed for me as we had a brief meeting with Pastor Geffory from Uganda. He is coordinating the 3 weeks ministry time there. I had also been looking forward to and had expected to attend a village wedding but decided to speak at the village meeting (crusade) hosted by Pastor Peter and Merculie instead of going to the wedding.

 Pastor Peter & Arlene

Much as I was a bit disappointed to not attend the wedding the reason I am here is to share the Gospel and reach the lost for Christ and when I saw villagers responding the the Holy Spirit's call to salvation, I knew I had made the right choice.

Today provided a new ministry opportunity as an American man staying at the guest house where I am is starting a Biblical Institute here and he has connected IRM to the fundamental churches he is associated with. We have been invited to an additional number of their churches but time will not allow, it seems, but for the one today.

I spoke at a Pentecostal Church called, Deliverance Temple, which is a small church of about 300. Following the 3 hour church service the Pastor said the women of the church really wanted me to have a day with them but I had to defer to the very tight remaining schedule.

As we were leaving the church I spotted a very elderly woman walking alongside the road and I asked Philbert to stop the van as I got one of the few scarves I had and a tract to give to her. It was evident that she had dealt with a severe injury to her face during the Genocide.

 

She appeared surprised  at being given a beautiful soft free gift.and kept saying, "Murakoze (thank you)".

We went to lunch in town and when I returned to the Guest House at 2 pm I decided to take a brief rest as I was quite tired but found myself waking up after 5. I guess I was more tired than I thought. I don't remember taking any afternoon naps on past trips so today provided another "first'.

Tomorrow, I will be having a Rwanda team meeting with Pastor Peter, Alfred and Bishop Alexis to make final arrangements concerning IRM's NGO application that has been before the gov. for some time. The new laws were finally voted upon and set last Sept. so it is now time for us to move forward. Bishop Alexis thinks that at this point it should only take a few months to finally be officially registered.

Tomorrow we also have more errands to run in the morning and in the afternoon Prisca will take me to check out three other guesthouses. I have stayed at this Anglican guesthouse since 2007 and I just want to get an idea of that else might be available.

It's hard to believe that there remains only one more week of ministry here in Rwanda but the week ahead will be very busy with general activities and travel as well as Prison ministry at the 1930 Prison, Kibungo Women's Prison, Butari Prison and Mpanga Prison. These are the last four of the total 8 we have been approved to enter.

Every day here is not only a walk of faith but one of total dependance on God as we watch Him provide for us as well as pour out His power. God has been/is faithful in equiping us to do all He has called me here to do along side our Rwandan partners.

Please continue to pray for us and all the remaining ministry. Blessing upon all of you.

That none would be lot,

Arlene

June 20....

Ministry Partners,
The time here is going so quickly but then it is because we are so busy trying to keep up with the daily changes.


When partner, Foursquare Pastor's Juliann and Zebedee, Alfred, Jane and I got to the van after being inside Rilima Prison I was so blessed yesterday when Juliann and Zebedee both spoke about the impact of what they had seen God do inside and their renewed and accelerated desire to partner with and work alongside IRM.

 

Arlene & Rilima Warden

The men prisoners from the burned out prison were there and few of the prisoners who remembered me, it was like being to a new prison. Pastor Zebedee did a wonderful job leading the prisoners, who wanted to receive God's free gift of salvation, in the "sinner's prayer" while I followed our same program format of object lessons, ending with the call to pray forgiveness over someone or yourself.

Pastor Zebedee was unable to finish praying as he broke down in tears, A VERY unusual thing for here, when he was closing our ministry time before leaving the prison. Juliann then shared from her heart adding that her husband, also a Foursquare pastor, wanted to start serving alongside us in the prisons.

Alfred and I have booth agreed over the last 10 months that we were going to watch God pour out His power on this trip as never before and he has but we did not realize that we would watch Him pour out His power, by way of a renewed commitment to IRM, in the hearts of those He had already call to partner with us a number of years ago. They are really catching the vision for themselves !!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to see what transpires for these tremendous men and 1 woman of God.

Since today was visiting day at the prison we were unable to hold our crusade until 3. As we were concluding, the Head of Security, who received Christ as Savior at our crusade three years ago, appeared as said some very nice things about IRM to the prisoners.

By the time we left the prison it had gotten dark on us again for the lengthy trip home. The Police stopped mot only us but a whole bunch of vans and large buses and all traffic - everyone. As we were waved over, Alfred stepped out of the van and asked me if I had my passport - everyone would have to show identification as they were looking for someone. Just as I said, "Yes, I always carry my passport.". Alfred said to get back in the van as our van as I saw the policeman waving us on.

Ii was the very same policeman that we encountered the night we returned from our visit with Alex and he had recognized the IRM sign on our van door and this "musungu (white person)" face! Yep, this is a country of relationships and sometimes expectant ones.

 

 Unexpected encounters are always fun!

Tomorrow we will take care of business in the morning with a meeting involving two of the pastors from Uganda concerning our ministry time there.In the afternoon at 2pm there will be a Gospel Meeting Crusade at the IRM office for the surrounding area until 6 pm.

Blessings to all of you for your faithfulness to this ministry.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

June 19.

Ministry Partners,

Sorry I have missed posting for the last two days but they have been days far to long and Tues. night I was only able to sleep two hours. Yesterday for the first time ever I took a far back seat in the van as we made the 2 hr. 45 min drive to the Youth Prison I was able to rest before holding a crusade there but we did not arrive back in Kigali until after 9 pm. It rained hard and I mean hard, it reminded me of a snow white out in Oregon. I am so happy we have such a good driver that keeps us so safe. Not enough time to catch you up for the last two days but must tell you about one story from yesterday.

On the way home from the youth prison we (7 of us) stopped at Alfred's sisters home just to say hi and bless her and her husband's home. She served us some delicious food we did not expect and soda's. Before leaving we were praying and at one point the husband said he was convicted of his sinful life and he wanted to receive salvation and become a Christian.

What a special gift the Lord gave us as we listened to him pray the "sinner's prayer".
Goodness, do I have lots of stories to tell when I return.

After not getting any good sleep the last couple of nights it finally caught up with me last night and I slept well until 6:20 this morning.
We had breakfast and devotions at 7:30 and the van arrived along with, Prisca (the woman who would translate for the Woman's Conference today), Pastor's Zebedee and Pascal (our Partner Foursquare Pastors), joined our team to go to what was formerly called Gitarama Prison. On the way we picked up Jane from Rwanda Correction Services.
The ride to the prison was less than an hour but as I saw the clouds I was reminded about what happened the only other time I was here in 2009 and began to pray for no rain.

When we first arrived the Deputy Warden graciously welcomed us while we could already hear the men singing inside and we waited while they brought the women into the common area that was only partially covered. 

We had been previously informed that this prison had caught fire in the men's section and although the common meeting area appeared the same as I had seen before the effects of the fire were oh so evident.

Alfred asked how many had seen me when I was there before and there were only a few.

They sang some worships songs to open our time and the I began to preach. Just before I was going to give the invitation the downpour began and since the outskirts of the area were not covered and the rain on the tin roof make the noise so loud I stopped as those on the outskirts ran for cover.

Alfred started praying and then began singing which the remaining prisoners picked right up on. Since where the women were seated was covered they all stayed as well as over half of the men. I just couldn't help myself, I left where I was standing and went to their area and began to greet them followed by getting within their group while we sang and danced...........you just had to be there as there was space where I had originally been standing for a few women and men to African dance as we all praised and worshiped God............ for well over 30 minutes until the rain stopped and I could continue.

I finished my message leading up to the invitation and Pastor Zebedee led them in the pray. I followed with the object lesson the Holy Spirit gave me on them now being a child of the King which made them a Prince or Princess. It's hard to explain what an impact that lesson has had everywhere here.....I will have to do it for some of you when I get home.

I finished with talking about forgiveness and led them in the powerful "Forgiveness Prayer" that the Holy Spirit gave me in 2005 on my first trip here.

Jane, Prisca and I then left with the women to go to their area for a brief 1 1/2 hr. women's conference while Alfred set up our battery operated sound system and then left to be with the men as Pastor's Zebedee and Pascal who had already began the teachings for the men's conference.

At 3pm Alfred appeared to tell us it was time to go but the women prisoners asked if we could stay longer and when they realized we could not they asked us to please come back and said that they loved us!

Before leaving the grounds Jane wanted us to see the pilot program they are doing with children of the incarcerated women. No longer do children stay with their mothers until they are 5, now they are only allowed to stay until they are 3 and then they must go live with other family.

What darling, precious, well behaved tiny children. They are doing a wonderful job with this program.

On the way home tonight we were stopped again by police and although they wanted to see what was in the back I handed them a tract as soon as I could and they never asked Philbert for his papers or our passports but one responded as he started reading the tract, "I hear you have been to the prison to tell them that Jesus loves them:, and as I smiled and we started to drive away he added, "I need to hear that too". Only in Africa....... how I love this country!!!!!

It felt strange to be back in Kigali by only 5:30 but very nice as Alfred and I were able to carve out time to go over ministry details. While events change moment by moment, and I am NOT exaggerating, it has kept us hopping so that :things" continue to run as smooth as we can make it.

Tomorrow we are to go to Rilima Prison which is no longer a prison for both men and women, now it is only for men.

I cannot thank you enough for your continuing prayer covering.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

June 16 -

Ministry Partners

Such a busy day today with preparing for the ministry ahead.

First thing in the morning we went to the IRM office to visit with the children who come to the take Religious Studies. Kinyarwanda, English, math and ect. are taught.

Goodness it was amazing to see the level of math that these children are doing and the clear English that they speak. I had a great time with them and before leaving I gave each boy a sm. metal race car, while the girls were given a small wooden dressed doll made by a man from the Singles group at Rolling Hills Church. 

 

When I first met Alfred he was the youngest headmaster of a school in Rwanda so he was right in his element today.

Trying to even find another sound system was interesting for us while Alfred went to the dentist. I finally picked one that was far nicer than what we had for about the same amount that we paid for the last one. This one has 3 mic's, and will take a stick so we can play music as everyone is gathering. Alfred is having fun figuring out how to use all the features and see how to use my headset with it. After seeing it another man where we are staying wants to purchase one for his ministry. 

We went to see Alex, who lost his father two weeks ago, and had dinner with him and his two brothers. He lives quite a distance from town so it was very late, after 10, as we drove home. The police roadblocks were out and they not only stop you but set out spike strips to make sure you stop.

At the first roadblock the minute one of the officers walked up to Philbert's, our driver, door and asked for his papers I gave Alfred a tract to give him. The officer, with an AK47 slung over his shoulder, stood and read a portion of it, looked at us and said, " Your pastors so you couldn't being doing anything evil, go."
When we were stopped at the second roadblock we again gave the officers a tract and the one responded, "Even though you are preaching to me the bible says, "Give unto Ceaser what is do to Ceaser, so I have to check out whats in the back."
We went through both roadblocks without showing our passports. Only in Rwanda would a gospel tract work in place of a passport!!!!

When I finally got to bed at 1 am I was definitely ready!!!

God's provision and care is so evident every day here and there is far to much to write about but I hope you are getting a glimpse of the goodness and faithfulness from the Lord that we are experiencing. 

Thanks for your continuing prayers,

That none would be lost

Arlene

June 15 ......

Ministry Partners.

What a marvelous day worshiping the Savior with the 700 Rwandans at Kamashashi Parrish. It was amazing to watch and listen to the 4 very large choirs rotating as they each did two songs before I spoke and the same after I spoke.
 
One of the pastors who does not speak English asked me, through Alfred, why I liked so much to hear them sing when I did not understand the words. He smiled and nodded in agreement as I told that believers have the same Holy Spirit and in worship language makes no difference. The Senior pastor speaks very little English and the third pastor, a personal friend of Alfreds, speaks very good English. I did the object lesson about being a child of God, and Jesus being the King of King making us, when believers, a Prince or Princess.
I used one of the young women who had just received Christ as Savior to put the royal, gold lame, robe on and a crown. As I was talking two men with high powered cameras appeared in front of us taking photos. I am trying to get a copy! We watched God pour out His power again today as the Holy Spirit ministered to the hearts of the precious people.

 

These 3 pastors and 1 wife took the team to lunch where the Senior pastor  told us, "Many pastors come and speak but none demonstrated the genuine love for them that you did". He said that's why the women leaders, of the 400 women, had a brief meeting after church and agreed that if I could make time they wanted me back for a conference. Alfred told them how tight our schedule was and I said it was something we could all pray about for next year if God brings me back.  I am thankful that they were able to see the love of Christ that God has poured into me.

Alfred and I are both looking forward to seeing what God will do with today's events. We found such favor with everyone today that perhaps an expanded Rwandan partnership with these wonderful pastors is in His plan. I can't wait to see what will transpire.

There was no afternoon rest as preparations needed to be made for tomorrow. We will spend a short time with the children at the IRM office then head to town for some supplies, followed by a visit to a young man who has been a friend of Alfred's for a long time and a friend of IRM for a number of years who just lost his father.

The duffel bag developed a 6" slit in it so I did a bit of mending on it before we had company,

Alfred's beautiful sister, husband and 3 month baby boy came for dinner and a brief visit.

I am tired tonight so it's 9:30 and time for a shower and lights out.

Blessing on all of you from all of us.

That none should be lost,

Arlene

June 14 - Remera Prison

Ministry Partners,

After 70 entrances into prison facilities and speaking to 1,000s and 1,000s of prisoners I must admit that I was nervous this morning as I was seated inside the prison. It had been 11 months since I had spoken to a group of this size, 3,000.

The woman from the Commissioners office, Jane, met us there and did a wonderful job introducing our team after she first grabbed a rhythm instrument and joined in with one of the choirs. She is a tiny thing who looks 21 or so but told us she is 30. She is a christian and so bubbly, I really like her.

  

 Arlene & Jane

But oh how I enjoyed the 2 choirs of men that sang songs of worship. I cannot explain it but once I heard the powerful men's voices years ago it became one of the things that blesses my heart every time I come. At one point, before I began to speak, Alfred led the prisoners in a worship song and once again Jane joined us on the platform bringing a rhythm instrument for her and one for me. God was smiling for sure as he stretched me out of my box and the prisoners must have enjoyed watching us join their worship time, at least it seemed so by their smiles and even broader grins.

They seemed to really enjoy the new object lesson for salvation, Eph.2:8-9, the one for being a child of the King, a Prince, and the one for what it "looks like" when we don't forgive. I am so thankful for the new object lesson materials that the Holy Spirit gave me to use this trip and for the results we watched him bring today.

The Rwandan partners as well as I have experienced a battering from the enemy for a number of months and we all claimed that it was evidence that we were going to see God pour out his power on this trip like never before. Jesus has the victory in all IRM does and He has the victory in my life and each of our partners lives. The enemy knows he has no victory in our efforts but he is so stupid that he thinks he can convince us otherwise......... we have kept our focus on Christ and we know the truth, the victory belongs to the Savior!!!!!

Like Nehemiah who would not come down from the wall but rather he stayed focused on what God had called him to do so are we. That was important for us to remember today when we were informed first thing this morning that one of our partner pastors had some difficulties and would not be able to minister with us this year. And then this afternoon we were informed of the robbery at the IRM office, done by a trusted security guard. Here are some of the major things that were taken:

1. The office computer and copy/scan printer - purchased by Alfred
2. Our battery operated sound system
3. Lg. tubs of supplies I had intended to use this year
4. A 100 church seating chairs

I am so proud of our partners here as we stand firm together even though just like Gideon's army we don't have the weapons we "thought" we needed but we know, without a doubt, we have just the right God given weapons we will need. We are giving God praise for His goodness and faithfulness to us.

Yes indeed we have seen and will continue to watch God pour out His power as never before as we stand firm and focused.

Late tonight plans changed and tomorrow I was invited to speak in a new church for me. We were told it is a Pentecostal church called  Kamashashi Parrish of about 700. Pray for open hearts for the Gospel as well as understanding the challenge to forgive.

Please continue to pray for the IRM team and the ministry God has called us to do here and for me in getting restful sleep. Our team appreciates knowing you are standing with us in prayer.

Blessings to you from the land of a 1,000 hills and a 1,000 smiles.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

June 13 .......

Ministry Partners,

Today really has been a one of a kink day although It started out easy with another traditional breakfast.
Please pray for me as I am having a hard time getting over jet-lag this trip as evidenced by waking at 2:30 this morning. Of course I could think of lots of things that needed to get done today and ended up getting up and making a "Gift Bag" out of some of your donated items to give to Commissioner Dativa when we go to her office again.

Alfred called and was informed that Dativa's schedule was too busy and we would not going to be able to see her. We decided to go by her office and leave the gift bag and ask if the new request letter for IRM to enter the prisons had been signed, But when we arrived we were asked to wait as Dativa wanted to see us. As we waited in the outer office there was a mother there with her 3 week old baby boy.

 

 Oh what a cutie and of course I had to ask if I could hold him and the mother graciously let me do so.

Without a scheduled meeting we spent 2 hours with the Commissioner and too many God breathed things happened to write here not the least of which was to be told we now have direct access to her office. We talked much about how IRM could support the prisoners who just had a fire in their prison and lost everything!!! Dativa of our arrival. has given us one of her staff people to accompany us to each prison in an effort to expedite our entrance and having them prepared ahead of our arrival time.

We left her office to run errands and I told Alfred that if there was a chalk line showing how
many times we criss crossed Kigali it would look like a spider web. I was so very thankful for Pastor Peter's wife, Merculie, and his son, Abraham were so very helpful today. Because of their help we were able to finish our errands much quicker.

 

During our errand running I had the opportunity to meet a lady from the Rwanda Twa tribe. I was happy to give her a donated scarf and a tract.


Upon returning to the Commissioners office we found certificate to enter the prisons was signed and waiting and we found that the 5 prisons we requested had now grown again,,,,this time to 8 !!!!!

Before we returned to Moucecore we made a quick stop to the printers and they said they would deliver the Booklets to us at Moucecore, which they did.

It's 10 and I will retire early so I can be rested for tomorrow crusade.

Thank you again, your partnership makes this ministry possible,

That none would be lost,

Arlene