Ten Talents International Blog

Wednesday Mike, Simon Peter, Chris, and Jerid participated in a community meeting at the Acres of Hope. Mike shared with the community our plans for providing access to water, assuring them that no one would charge them to obtain the water (which made them very happy). They have decided to form an association to sell the crops that they are growing on the property. They met under a large tree on the property and below I will post a picture of everyone walking back up to the road.
Thursday we spent with the children at the feeding program in the morning. It was a little nicer day and brought out even more kids than the week before. They were full of energy and rejoicing that day. We brought them words of encouragement, even KaLia shared with them and Nate greeted them (most times they both feel too shy & overwhelmed to do so).

After that we bought supplies that enabled us to move the first boys into the Home of Innocence (a rented home). The youngest is Celestin, and he is joined by two older boys, Theogene and Evie. We praise God also because we have found a House Father to live with the boys in the home. He was recommended to us by an Australian businessman we met here at the Mission House. He recommends him as a Christian, completely honest and trustworthy, as well as a hard worker. Upon meeting him we find he has a very gentle spirit and we trust that he will be a good guiding hand for these boys coming into the home. Tuesday we will move another boy into the home as well. It is very exciting to realize the “Home of Innocence” is actually in operation- even if it is not the permanent home we envisioned (yet)!

Today we met with the newest children who have been signed up as wishing to be sponsored, as well as those who are already sponsored who were not there last week. We got to talk to their moms and find out more information about their home situations. Friday Simon, Chris, and Jerid had traveled out to many of their homes to interview them there as well. It was a real experience for Chris & Jerid, going out into very poor areas. Seeing small mud homes, maybe 10 ft. x 12 ft, some of which had a family of 7 squeezed into them. We look forward to helping the children attend school, and eventually also helping the parents to find ways of improving their situations. Most of the families provide for themselves by finding odd jobs when they can, like doing laundry or gardening for neighbors.

It is hard to believe that we’re already looking at the last week that Chris & Jerid will be here (they leave Saturday afternoon). The container still has not been released, though we are slowly getting closer to that goal.

Thank you for keeping us all in your prayers as we trust God to take and make this time profitable.
God Bless You,
Lisa

This picture was taken at the feeding program. I don’t know if you can tell here- but the TTI T-shirts look a lot different now after just a few months of being worn heavily by the street children- all are faded and some have holes already. Not really that surprising to see- if you consider it may be the only shirt they have worn for the last few months!

Friday we were able to visit the TTI property, “Acres of Hope”. The people in the area have planted a new season of crops on the land there, so it looks a little different, but we were able to find several of our trees still growing & getting quit a bit bigger for only being planted 9 or so months ago. I will post a picture below.
Saturday our plan was to meet with the children who are sponsored now through TTI (to play with them and help them write letters to their sponsors). We arrived there to find Christine, Simon Peter Ngoga’s wife, leading the children in a Bible study. We also found even much more than we were expecting! You see, not only did we find a few of the children there who are sponsored, we also found there was about 20 more children who were hoping to become sponsored. We got some basic information on these children, their pictures, and told them they need to come back this Saturday so we can find out more information. These children mostly have a home, with either a relative or parent, but whose family is too poor to afford to send them to school, as well as afford nutritious food, adequate clothes, etc. It is not hard to fall in love with these children and want to help them. And although shy at first, they soon warmed up and several of them had fun playing with Jerid & Chris. If you know of anyone who is interested in becoming a child sponsor please contact us. We have children of all ages available for sponsorship. We will endeavor to encourage regular contact between children and their sponsors, so it is not just “mailing a check” but an actual relationship.
Sunday we were in Kayonza to visit the children of the Faith Home, as well as the children of the Kanombe Home who were recently moved to that same compound. We shared in church service with them, presented them with gifts, and enjoyed their love and smiles as we visited with them.
This week has been a little bit different- and a bit trying for the guys on the team. We are still working on getting paperwork and other things in order so we may receive the container. Mike has been in meetings and trying to get things settled.
Our team was hoping to have been able to get to work on the property long before now, but we trust that God has a plan beyond ours & beyond what we can see. We persevere and keep our faith in Him. Please keep praying for God’s provision for us, the Acres of Hope, and the sponsored children. Please also pray for God to work in & through our time here, as well as for our health.
This afternoon Mike is having a meeting witht he community at our property. As a show of good will towards the community we have agreed to find sponsors for 10 needy children in the immediate area of the property. Tomorrow we will be with the children again at the feeding program. Jerid is going to share a word with them.
Thank you for keeping us in your hearts and prayers. We believe for what God is wanting to do here & that “now is the time” for Rwanda- even though it does require patience on our part in many ways!

God Bless You,
Lisa

Mike showing off the “first fruits” of the trees on our property.

One of the children who showed up on Saturday asking to be sponsored (all children were given a new TTI T-shirt).

We arrived in Rwanda late Monday evening after 28 hours of traveling (about 20 or so spent in an airplane). And all our luggage arrived with us too- which was an answer to prayer right there! Rwanda is 10 hours ahead of Pacific Coast Time & the jet-lag has been pretty difficult for us this time. This is partly because we have not been as active during the day as in past trips, as we have been waiting for the container to arrive. Then, today, ta-daah!, the call finally came that the container was here. Mike & the guys went over & checked it out & it is still full of everything we sent! The bad news is that we still have been struggling to get the letter from the local district here that we need in order to be registered as an international NGO. At this point we will be looking to Africa New Life Ministries, a local partner ministry, to receive the items in the container. At this point the container is still in the receiving facility in town & we expect to have it released this next week & transport arranged to our property.
Thursday we spent at the feeding program for street children. Even though it was a cold and rainy day there was a good turn out. We enjoyed sharing in their worship and encouraged them that God does have his eye on them & that they have a reason to hope. That afternoon we got to spend some time with Celestin. He is the boy whose story was in our most recent newsletter, and will be the first boy to enter the Home of Innocence (temporarily in a rented home until our development on the Acres of Hope is ready). Celestin has already been able to return to school and enjoyed receiving the pictures and letter from his sponsor.
Tomorrow we will have the children who are currently sponsored through TTI come to our office (same property where the rented home is). We will spend some time visiting with them as well as helping them with writing letters to their sponsors. Sunday we will spend in Kayonza with the children from the Faith Home, and that is also where the Kanombe Home is now located.
We thank you for your prayers for the ministry here, as well as for our health, and for God’s supply for the ministry. We are thankful for all that God has done thus far & look forward to more!

God Bless You,
Lisa

Mike (and all his luggage) safely arrived in Rwanda last week. He has been busy working on getting TTI registered there. The shipping container should be arriving any day now, but he can not receive it (because of the extra fees and taxes it would cost) until TTI is registered as a charitable organization there. He has been exploring all options & we continue to pray for wisdom in this.
Tomorrow morning (Sunday) myself, the kids, Chris, & Jerid will fly out to meet Mike in Rwanda. Please keep us in your prayers for our safety, for all our luggage & supplies to arrive with us, and I will put in a special request for you to pray for grace for me as I travel half-way around the world with two kids! Nate (our 5 year old) has been especially wild lately- so I do not relish the thought of having to contain him in an airplane or airport for a few days.
Our latest newsletter is on it’s way to you. If you are not already signed up please do so here on our website. We’ve included information about our child sponsorship programs, a story from the November team, and a special request for you to pray for the ministry of TTI. That is what we need from you now more than ever- we need you to pray.
Thank You & God Bless You,
Lisa

We have found out that the shipping container for Ten Talents has safely made it to Africa’s East coast, docking in Tanzania. Now the cotainer will be making the rest of it’s journey by truck, half way across the continent. Your prayers for the continued safe journey of the container & it’s contents are still needed & appreciated.

This Thursday morning, February 5th, Mike will be flying out on his way to Rwanda. Myself & the kids, along with Jerid & Chris, will be flying out Sunday morning, February 15th. Keep us in your prayers as we are packing & preparing for another three month stay in Rwanda. There is always so much to get done & there are always distractions & delays that try to mess with us.

We are also praying and believing for God to provide for the development of the Acres of Hope / Home of Innocence, as well as all of the ministry of TTI. Your agreement in prayer with us is essential to our success.

Thank you for being a part of this with us!
God Bless You,
Lisa