Living with your heart in two places

   A week ago today Bonnie and I touched down in Boston and Denver returning to the families, churches and friends we love. But there is also a part of us that remains in Rwanda with the brave men and women we know who are pushing back the darkness and bringing hope to so many people, one at a time. It is a slow and deliberate process, but that is what makes lasting change possible.

  
   There are some faces that will stay with me for a long time. This is Theresa. She had two disabled children when she first came to Love With Actions (LWA) a year ago.  Her husband has been abusive, she had been rejected by the community and her life was incredibly hard. In February one disabled son, Pascal, died from pneumonia. Valens, pictured here, is 15 years old. Theresa found an advocate in Gilbert. An advocate for her and for her sons. She has now been trained as a weaver and a seamstress and is joining with new found friends producing beautiful products that allow her to provide for her family. She has confidence. She has hope. She knows that she and Valens are safe and loved at Love With Actions. Just look at her face! We even told her she looks a lot like Michelle Obama.
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  Theresa shows what is possible when we support LWA and allow Gilbert to do what God has clearly called him to do.

   The good news about LWA is spreading. Gilbert just shared with me that when he arrived at the Bumbogo Center for Family Empowerment yesterday ten new families were waiting.... having finally come out of hiding, each with a disabled child, each hoping Love With Actions will include them in their program. LWA is not really equipped to say yes...but how can they say no. It is a reason for much prayer and discernment.

   An image that comes to my mind is Jesus, in Matthew 9, walking through the towns and villages that were just like Bumbogo. "Seeing the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd." And Gilbert said what came to his mind was Jesus, in Matthew 15, looking out on thousands of hungry people and again "having compassion on them" and using His power and the hands and feet of his disciples he miraculously met their need. We are now asking God what His plan is, and how he wants to use Gilbert, me and you to make it happen.

   The same is true in Rubavu where Shalom Ministries is receiving many, many requests from schools, churches and community groups to come and share their message of hope and reconciliation. People desperately want to be healed from their wounds and to find the freedom they see in the people whose stories we have been sharing with you. Again, we call on God to show us our responsibility in being his hands and feet in Rubavu, and the world.

  Thank you for your faithful prayers and loving support to Bonnie and I, before during and after our journey to Rwanda. Bonnie is so gifted in many areas, and the knowledge, tools and love she left behind in Rwanda will be a blessing for years to come. I learned so much from her!

   If you would like to be a part of a future journey to Rwanda just let me know......