San Lorenzo church is going to be our home now. We will move to the church parsonage soon. The members of the church are older side, and I fell in love with them immediately. They remind me of mom and dad's friends in Longview. They are kind to each other, seem mature and dedicated Christians. From the first time we visited the church at the end of August, we were so sure that Chris was called to that church. But we didn't want to go faster than God. We followed the schedule that we set up before our Africa mission. We went to downtown FSBC, Nazarene, and CRC, while we visited San Lorenzo three times.
It was a long one month waiting. Every Sunday, I really missed this church. Our body and mind were at other church on each Sunday, but our heart was with this church. Whenever we talked about our ministry, our conversation came to this church. On September 24, 2006, a new chapter of our lives have started. There will be so many characters will be in and out and so many exciting events will capture readers in this chapter. I am so excited how God is working in our lives. In the past 2 years, we prayed, planned, frustrated, disappointed, and bewildered. So many times, I asked God, “why”. Now I understand those “whys”. What a pleasant surprise after the long wait.
I attended the senior Bible Study, and got to know more about the members. The oldest member is 91 years old, and I am the youngest. What I found is that how much energy they have. I truly believe that age is in one's mind. I totally enjoyed being there, and getting to know more about their life stories.
We went for a walk at Chabot Lake after a lunch, while the congregation was conducting a business meeting. When we were there about 20 minutes, Jane called and informed Chris that his is their new pastor. We are so excited about this church, and to see what God is going to do through this congregation.
Chirs gave wonderful sermons; morning one was about the requirement for Christian; there are three things God requires form us: 1. Act justly, 2. Love mercy, 3 Walk
Evening one was about: Roman 1:1; "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus called to be an apostle. To be an apostle, I need to be a servant to Christ first. Learned about Dulos (Greek word for slave) and Lord relationship.
Monday, September 25, 2006
New chapter
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Winter Mission Trip
Some of you asked me about the winter, 2007 Africa mission. It is going to be a conference. Christian students from Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, and Uganda meet together and share what God is doing in each country, espeically focusing on campus ministry. Right now it is being planned, and once I get more detailed information, I will post here. Pasor Chris will take a mission team to Africa. They will leave on December 28 and come back on January 12th. More details will be posted later. If you would like to see what we did during the Summer 2006 mission, check them out at http://comeandseeafrica.org/pastmissions/mission2006/main.htm
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Visiting Immaculate's home.
They may not have many things, but joy and happiness are abunndant. Immaculate's mother raised five daughters and a son by herself. She is a kindergarten teacher. Her children got scholarships, and they are all university educated.
Immaulate's mother and me.
Her house is filled with laughters, I just love to see them interact.
Electricity was out. I don't know how she prepare all these in dark, with coals. Rice, fried sweet potatos, chips, avocado salad, Ugari (Burundi traditional food).
Immaculate sings at her church
Friday, August 04, 2006
Visit to Batwa families
Each year, we give 10 goats to Batwa families. Frank buys them at the market on the day we visit them.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
at Lake Tanganyka
This guy is singing about women. if you have a thin woman, she will empty your pocket, if you have a fat woman, she will empty your plate. Something like that.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
How many can you remember?
Our Rwandan professors have almost perfect memory. Oleg, can you still remember them all?
Missing You All
I hope you continue to meet as a group, and create a learning community that will support each other. Remember our mantra for three weeks. Education is not "filling" students, but "igniting" fire in them for learning.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Dinner at IBIS
Brian at American Embassy in Kigali came down to Butare, and hosted a dinner at IBIS Hotel.
Gift from Batwa family to CASA family
Batwa people make clay pots for living. Nowadays everyone uses plastics,so they lost their jobs. This is a fire pit for cooking. Our Pascuszia uses it for cooking at the CASA house.
Is that me?
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She is looking at a photo of her family (I took it last year and brought it with me this year). I wonder this is the first time she sees herself. What would that feel like?
Batwa Family
I made friends with 10 Batwa families in 2002. Since then I have visited them once a year. This year, they visited me at the CASA house. They are looking at their children's pictures on a computer.