• God has given me special gifts, a passion, and the desire to be available to no matter whom, or where, He leads.
• God taught me that I didn’t need to be affirmed when I do good for him. I felt His presence whenever I involved Him.
• Where people have the Lord they don’t need a lot of things. They have more joy in spite of their difficulties then those here who have everything. The people of Rwanda, after all their trials, showed an incredible amount of joy, celebration, singing, dancing … and then they go home to no food, dirt floors, and often sleeping in a crowded shed with other kids.

Sincerely want to thank everyone for their financial support and prayer. I wanted you all to feel like you were there with me as much as possible. Without Christ and your support I could never have done this. I do believe God has given me a heart for these people and I hope He will allow me to go back again to Rwanda.

When we arrived back in Kagali, we ran into about 15 american kids from Cal Baptist. They came after their work teaching ESL in the northern provinces. They had trained interpreters.

Val and Josi took me shopping but I didn’t spend on anything . I did minister to the van driver in my very funny Rwandian words, and broken French language. At one point I said to a woman “God bless you” and the pastor said “She’s already married”. It was as if I made a pass on her.

We went to the airport, and chaos broke loose. It was very uncomfortable. 80 degrees outside, 95% humidity, and no air conditioning. I had no tickets but lots of baggage. They told me the tickets would be there but I was concerned for awhile. Then came the, security check ins. The airport people wanted to be paid for my bags as I tried to check in. They told me I couldn’t take them on the plane. They were giving me a very hard time. I wanted to go back to my old ways of handling situations and conflict, but finally I did like the rest of the trip and turned it over to God. Then it all worked out.

When we landed in DC, we had 1 hour for customs and to get to our connecting plane a mile away. It was almost like the outbound trip, but we actually made it on time. We found ourselves packed into a full UAL flight with no working restroom in back. Need a toilet ? UAL wanted over $100 to move up to better seats with access to a bathroom. I stayed put, and enjoyed the music of 5 crying babies. I couldn’t sleep, and felt frustrated. But we finally arrived, and it was awesome to see my wife.

I was amazed. So often the kids were smiling and happy. They have no concept of their poverty. This is beautiful farm country ( pineapples, bananas, corn ). People were on the move, carrying water, wood, bicycles heavily loaded with stuff. They walk everywhere. The nearest clinic is perhaps 6 miles walk.

We got to resort at 6 pm after a very long, and tiring, drive.. There were, not many animals to see. I was not feeling well. For next 18 hours I battled dehydration. I was taking vitamins, salt, and in need of rest. The next morning we went on a safari. I saw giraffes, zebra, impala, monkeys, all out in the bush. After a while, I needed to be “in the bushes” so I asked to go back to hotel because of the illness.

As I finally became hydrated, I felt much better. We had dinner, and then I spent time with kids who work at the resort. I asked about their earnings which totals around- $130 a month. They can live on the premises. However, they only get 1 meal a day, then must buy other food at a store over 4 miles away. They shared their stories. One young man told me, “I survive from day to day”. He takes care of his younger brother. He pays for brother’s schooling although the boy lives with an uncle. He gives him about $20 a month. His own meal may be rice, but he can’t afford more.. He wants to go to school when his brother finishes. I had a great opportunity to encourage him, and I ended amazed at how accepting they are of such difficult circumstances.

While updating my earlier notes, at the Arkegara Game Reserve Resort. I am watching the staff chase the Baboons from the roofs on the hotel. This is hysterical. I understand if you don’t watch out these guys, who weigh about 80 plus pounds, they will enter your room. In fact one of my associates and her husband opened their patio door, and in the flash of an eye, this is exactly what happened A baboon ran in, taking a banana from the room. Now that is a story to tell your kids.

The young man from Wednesday’s trip, Chris, took a bus for an hour to come see me. Three of the “official Peace plan people” walked into the room at the same time. I introduced them to Chris, and explained his desires.

Chris wanted to talk privately with me, so we went to my room. We sat and talked for an hour or more. I really wanted Chris to meet with the others who could help him. I sensed something was wrong when he started asking for things. He wanted a new camera, and to have his computer fixed, all in the name of “missions work”. He wanted me to be his partner in ministry . I finally sent him home.

Chris is a local boy, clean cut, sounding earnest, but something was clearly not right. He started sending emails trying to latch on to me as his personal funding source for his worik, and I had to refer him back to the PEACE plan staff. He appears to have a good heart, but I didn’t sense God’s presence.

When I returned to the U.S., I kept receiving emails from Chris asking for my help financially. I finally had to tell him explicitly that would not happen. This was a difficult time for me, but God always led me in ways that I found helped the people, and His voice was not endorsing this young man’s efforts.

We pulled into the church in Getarama and about 50 or 60 people were waiting. They had been there since 8 am. We got there about noon. We didn’t know it beforehand, but we were supposed to buy their drinks at breaktime, and lunches. A kid showed up with everything which cost about $200. We explained we had nothing to do with it, knew nothing about it, and had not ordered the food. Jeanine helped us gather the money and to then we also had to pay for the church cleanup after this meeting.

We had 3 hours to teach them. We started but found it difficult and uncomfortable. Val ( our interpreter ) said we were doing a terrible job. I decided to start over, beginning with a time of prayer. God changed my perspective and I began anew. By the end, people were bawling, telling their genocide stories, and reliving their pain. We divided the group into men and women, and they shared stories. They described the pressure, chaos, and thoughts.

Chris, a 28 year old college graduate, who worked at bank, came to me and said his heart was to do missions work with widows, orphans, and aids patients. I spent some time introducing him to the area people at the PEACE plan. Even though he had the contacts, he still continued to follow-up with me which became uncomrfortable.

That evening we left for Kagali and I saw my life pass before my eyes as we tried to pass a truck going up hill in our rickety VW van. A Mercedes bus was racing straight down hill, right at us. At the very last second, the bus pulled to right to let us pass safely. We encountered scary drivers, chaotic drivers ! Most have motorcycles with helmets for the driver and passenger. The helmets are shared and never cleaned. There are few cars ! It’s mostly trucks and busses on the roads. However, it really is organized chaos because the drivers are very respectful.

At the hotel , we reviewed our day over dinner. We sat around and talking and sharing how blessed we felt. I sat with Andrew who was the main coordinator for the Warrens when they traveled to 23 countries. He also implemented a major Soccer program this summer.

Dan, Dave , Milt and I went to Kivuby to meet over fifty street kids. They meet with a pastor, to share their hurts and problems, twice a week. Pastor Justin provided them with a snack and drink.

Put this in prospective. These kids, live out of trash cans, or steal food. So a snack may be their entire meal for a day. The ages in this group ran from 5 years old to 33s. When I mentioned drugs they all laughed. Some of these kids were high as we shared our stories. Gungi (Marijuana), Banana Beer, and glue are the main drugs these kids can afford. They would do anything for money and I mean anything, in fact one even tried to lift my wallet.

The lawyers were training pastors across the way. I felt led to invite Jordan, one of the most accomplished ladies on our trip ( artist, designer, and incredible glowing Christian woman) to join me. These boys probably never saw the depth of love that poured from her eyes. I asked her to share with the boys, and she shared from her heart, The kids were mesmerized. Then I asked how many of them wanted to know that much love and seventeen rose and invited Christ into their lives. Please pray that God will come along side these kids and show His presences to them.

I gave them three soccer balls and we departed that area with Pastor Justin. The four of us gave him money to buy the kids a meal tomorrow, not from us, but from the local church. It’s not about the rich Americans but the local church. God knows our heart.

We went off to pick up my partners and traveled to the nicest orphanage I have ever seen. I don’t remember the name but this facility was run by 5 incredible catholic sisters. Each nun supervised a family of fifteen kids, with the assistance of 2 helpers. They were each responsible for providing meals, and parenting these kids. They grew their own vegetables, raised rabbits, cows, chickens and goats. This facility was extremely clean and the children ranged from 1 year to about 16 years old.

We entered a room were all the kids were sitting. They sang, danced and I even got to show them some of my moves. They the girls came out balancing pots on their heads, and yes I tried it. I wasn’t bad, considering I was holding mine. Then I put the lid on my head and was more confident in my abilities. Of course two three year old got up with me, mimicking my dance, and the kids loved it.

When the pastor stood up and asked me to speak. I was not expecting it. Pastor Justin enjoyed my speech to the street kids. One of the ladies said, “Why don’t you talk about being filled with the Holy Spirit ?” Dan gave me a balloon and I pulled it out, and talked abut how we were filled with holy spirit so Dan blew up the balloon. Then I talked about how each of us is special, and God gives us crowns. We put a crown on one of the kids heads and they all loved it. The nuns thought it was cleverthat I could do it.

The sisters were very complimentary and enjoyed the storys and time we spent with the children. The nuns sat and shared with us what they were doing at the center. When we returned, we submitted their names to the head of the water implementation program ( which installs tanks provided by SVCC to purify their water ), asking they get water assistance. Pastor Justin had a system setup in his center so that his water is clean. We asked that one be set up to purify the orphanage water.

This day was a great opportunity for us. We were blessed with the evening gathering. These kids mostly came from families who abandoned them in the streets, or who’s parents died from aids.

We arrived at a great location on the lake I felt like we were in Lake Tahoe in the summer. The only difference was across the lake lay the Congo. I would guess it was about 30 miles over there, about like the distance to Catalina.

Everyone raced off. They had to get to their scheduled events. For the first time I was pretty much alone. I had lunch on this incredible, beautiful lake. This was my time to thank God, to put this trip in prospective and update my notes. I asked, “Lord what new joy do you have in store for me ?”

The few guys who were left behind joined me for a leisurely lunch. After lunch everyone went their own way, but I remained. I just enjoyed the surrounding. Then I heard some of the guys swimming in the lake. Considering there were no ladies around, I made my under shorts more like speedo’s. The water was delightful, of course. Then two vans of lawyers and my two partners returned from teaching, I had to escape with no one watching. Of course one of my true friends captured that picture, so don’t be surprised if I make GQ magazine.

At dinner, my more informed friends, who have travelled to Africa, discussed the parasites these waters contain. They enter through any opening available to them. Now that took the joy out of dinner. I guess over three to four days you can get very sick.

During dinner, a local PEACE pastor, who was the area official, joined me for dinner, He heard that a psychologist had an interest in meeting the street kids. He was very excited because this was his passion. So he promised us a full day. In fact, he tried to get us on a small island in the middle of Lake Kivu,where nine hundred detainees, kids from the streets, were being .

  There is a desire to build churches here, but funds are very short as you will see later in this post.

Dawn, Jeanine, Dan and I went to speak to about 25 pastors and their wives.  It was a 1st Presbyterian church about 30 miles outside of town.  All of the churches are very similar with the problems they face, drawn from the cultural traditions of this nation.

We spoke on the importance of the pastors loving their wives, treating them with respect, and being sensitive to their needs.  The simply don’t understand, and some are very resistant.

We went to Getawanda in the south province, the suburbs.  e spoke about couples and relationships, and challenged them to have attitudes of love.  In Rwanda, the woman’s kitchen is her palace.  The pastors do not do much more then care for the property.  The men are very forceful with the women, doing whatever, and whenever, they want.  This is a major cultural issue for them.  We talked about forgiveness and reconciliation which must start in their marriages. 

The men keep all of their emotions inside.  We talked with Claude, one of the pastors.  Dan and I went outside and asked the men to share about the pain from the genocide.  This is just not acceptable.  I sat down with a man, looked in his eyes, and said nothing.  He started telling his story, but I didn’t stop him for translations.  I just let him talk, and watched him express the pain through his eyes.  He needed a “connection” and we hugged for nearly 5 minutes.

Pastors are very proper.  They just don’t show their emotions readily.  However other guys showed up, and as they started sharing their eyes watered.  It was a time of men, with men, sharing their pains.  It has been 16 years they have carried this without release.

We went back inside and all prayed over 9 guys who lost their families in the genocide.  Some lost up to 100 family members.  Then we had a rededication of marriage.  ceremony.  We had the men look in the eyes of their wives, hold their hands, and rec0mmit to them.  One bishop, the leader of many pastors, just kept his hands in his pockets and would not look at his wife, nor would he touch her.  Some, however, did understand and wanted to take this step.

They were very thankful for our time with them, and gave us gifts.  I received a plaque made from banana leaves.  Others received bowls and handmade items.  We then went to the house of a college student from Cal Baptist who Dan and Jeanine care for.  We had a small bible study, shared, talked, laughed and relaxed.  When we got to our rooms Saturday night our luggage had finally arrived.

Do you remember the pastor who was upset a few days ago, but invited us to his church service ?  On Sunday we went.  It was located in the worst part of town, down the dirtiest road, up a trail next to a raw sewage gutter, and finally we came to the building.  It had a room about 15’ x 25’, with 2 windows, 8 benches, about 20 people, and kids sitting on the dirt floor.  Their cross had been stolen.  The service started at 9 but we arrived around 10:30.  The people were dressed in their nicest clothes.  The pastor asked me to preach, which I did not expect, but I talked on Psalms 13:39, and Provers 16:30.  At one point I kneeled down, as a sign of respect, to talk directly to those in front.  WHen I stood up, there was dirt on my knees ( I had on nice slacks ) and a lady took a clean handkerchief from her pocket, knelt down, and brushed off my pants.  This was a very humbling event for me.  The service concluded with singing, dancing, and joyfully praising God.

Afterwards we went to the pastor’s house.  The offering plate had been passed and I put in the equivalent of about $10.  However, the total offering from the congregation was only about $2.  The pastor talked about his poverty.  He works other jobs and earns about $200 / month to support his family, and pay for his son to attend school.  We then talked about joy from a Rwanda perspective.  We stayed for about 2 hours, and got home exhausted.

I was blessed to work with Jeanine who has been coming here for 4 years.  Our focus was on reconcilliation.  We were “Day 2 & 3” of a conference held in a Baptist church.  It had wooden setas, a concrete floor, and a metal roof.  Beyond that it was pretty rustic, with no plumbing, sitting by a dirt road, much like the churches we see in Mexico.  The toilets were litterally water closets.  You had one cup of water to “flush”, and of course toilet paper is not supplied.  In fact, there are no seats which is rather uncomfortable.

Every where I go there are children.  They always have a big smile, and show so much love, and want those hugs.  They have so little and yet appear so happy.

I spoke for over an hour to 25 pastors, men and women, about feelings.  I realized these men do not discuss feelings, so it made them uncomfortable.  Therefore I then delved into their relationships, and how their sexual relations with their wives.  I explained our purpose for sex in marriage and even asked the women if they found satisfaction with sex in their lives.  The men debated me because this is a “non-talk” topic here.  I explained the importance of feelings, and finally asked why God took a rib from Adam to fashion his wife.  I shared that the rib was close to Adam’s heart, and the wife was to be close to her husband’s heart.  In this country the women, even as pastors, are separated.  When we had lunch, the men and women ate in separate rooms.  This is a gap that needs to be closed.  Please pray for these pastors.  They are still broken men with very suppressed feelings, anger, and rage that has not been resolved.  Many lost family in the bitter fighting that took place here.  If they are still broken, how can they help their congregations to be forgiving and reconcile ?

In the afternoon, Val, from Cal Baptist, shared how genocide had changed her life.  She shared about loss she had suffered and how she is trying to put this experience into helping others.  I followed this by sharing that we may have diverse cultures, but our mission was not a cultural thing.  It is a Christ thing.  The pastors wanted to argue about this but I shared it would not change overnight.  It does take time to confront these issues and bring about healing.  And that ended the first day of our conference.

On Friday we went back and talked more on foregiveness and reconciliation.  Although the first day was for pastors, lay people attended the second, and many pastors came back.  I talked about trying to train advocates.  The people are trying to forgive those who harmed them, and killed their brothers, sisters, parents, and relatives.  It is so hard for those who survived.

I then sat down with a very angry pastor.  He was very upset when I said “Pastor, you don’t seem very joyful”.  He left, but 2 hours later he walked in and asked us to come to his church on Sunday.  He said we could come anytime during the 9 to 12 service.  The Pastor wants to sit down and share his story.  They NEVER get to share their story.  They are to be stoic.  They are angry, and get upset.  I asked a child what he does when he is sad or happy.  He responded that he cries when he is sad, and smiles when he is happy.  I then asked the Pastors what happens between childhood and adulthood to create this change ?

Pastors are honored when visitors come to their church.  Val is my translator so I took her with me to a group.  A lady started talking, and then crying.  I halted the translation because I didn’t want to break the spirit of her expressing.   She asked why God was punishing her by not giving her children.  I replied that she was surrounded by over 100 street kids who needed love and care, and perhaps God wanted her to minister to them, and maybe take some in.

At 5 we left and went to meet with the reconcilliation board at Peace House ( served by Saddleback ) to meet with the top leaders of the Inter Community Congregation.  I rather changed the whole direction of the meeting when I stood up and said they need to train people in reconciliation.  I shared that I had seen so much pain in pastors, and if “the core of ministry rots, how can they minister to people if they haven’t dealt with their own brokeness”.  This changed the dynamics of the whole meeting. 

I came here not knowing what I would be doing, but God knew.  There is a lot we can do to help.

After 9 days, our luggage still has not arrived.  I did manage to buy some fresh underware, and a t-shirt, but its the same jeans and sandals.  Our luggage was found in Chicago, and maybe by the time you read this, it may have found its way to us.  Here I am, 5000’ above sea level, 80 degree weather, 9 days in the same clothes, walking the dirt streets – and just as I am, God spoke to me in the water closet !

“The people have no plans for me next week …” and then Roger laughed !

Later we drove out of town on a dirt road to visit a distant schoolhouse.  These kids were the most unkempt I’ve ever seen.  They ranged in age from 5 to 22 years. There were no living facilities here, but the kids gathered from everywhere to learn.  These kids were abandoned, but not prostitutes or addicts.  Often they had no homes and just existed on the streets, but still they came. 

The schoolhouse looked like it was built in the 1800s. There were several classrooms, all about the size of our dining rooms.  20 kids would squeeze in to these rooms with mud floors an very old blackboards.  English is now their main non-tribal language ( having dropped French ).  The room was too tight so I asked permission to take the kids outside.  Despite the conditions, the kids had smiles and were singing and dancing.

I shared the story of Johnny Appleseed, except there were no apples to be found.  So, I changed it to Mango seeds.  I explained how the seeds were dropped, but it was too dark for seeds to grow.  Then I shared how God gave light so they could flourish.

I asked who knew Christ and about 50 kids raised their hands.  Then I asked who would like to know Christ and about 30 kids stepped forward.  One little boy of about 8 was very troubled and I had two boys stay and pray with him.  It was a joyous time, and afterwards about 50 or 60 kids all wanted hugs from this stranger who came from Mission Viejo.  I was amazed and then fell apart.  They are such a blessing.

We then got in the truck and drove down the road to a new church.  It is called The Mango Tree Church because it is actually built around one.  It has 300 – 400 members now.  Maurice is a lay pastor there.  He is also an entrepreneur, and provides transportation for us.

We then were invited to a Christian school in Kagli run by Youth For Christ.  Its in a much nicer area and has about 600 kids attending.  I hared with the staff about problems that confront both church, and regular, schools relating to the kids and parents.  We then discussed the roles of missions and their responsibilities.  The time went so well that the staff asked me to return for a full week to share with them.

It was another long day.  We are on the go from about 6 am until 11 pm.  Its not easy to sleep with so much on my mind.