Ten Talents International Blog

We have now been in Rwanda one week, and we are just now getting to the point where our bodies have adjusted to the time change (9 hours ahead).  We are also getting into and used to our new routines here, including our children who started their school on Monday (after arriving Thursday night).

One of the first things we were able to do was visit the Home of Innocence.  The boys are all well, including Benjamin.  Both Benjamin and his brother David speak English quite well and they help us to communicate with the other children in the home.  I was asking them about school, including how far they have to walk to get to school.  They told me it is about a 20 minute walk- about 1 mile.  I asked Benjamin if it made him tired to do the walking to and from school (they also walk that far when they go to church on Sundays).  He replied that it did not make him tired at all- it was no problem.  So, praise God that it sounds as if his heart is doing well & is strong!

For comparison sake, I would like to remind you of how Benjamin looked in the hospital in Rwanda last May (before his heart surgery):

And this is how he looks now:

Now that is great to see!  Praise God for letting us be a part of his miracle!

God Bless You,

Lisa

The news we have heard is that Benjamin has gained 25 pounds already since his heart valve replacement surgery!  That is amazing!  He is well on his way to a new healthy chapter in his life.

Our family leaves for Rwanda this Wednesday the 18th at 8am.  Please pray for us during our travels, as it will be about 28 hours of traveling before we reach Rwanda.  It is grueling.  I would love just to be able to get some sleep during that time!  And I would pray for all of our luggage to arrive safely with us as well.

Donations continue to come in from so many people & we are only a couple thousand away from what we need for our first 3 months expenses there.  We are confident that God will supply and take care of all our needs- it has been amazing to watch thus far.  When you think that just a few weeks ago we had basically $0 of the money required, but we just prayed and trusted and were obedient.

The word that just keeps coming to my mind is our God is amazing!

Talk to you soon from Rwanda….

God Bless You,

Lisa

We had a good time with old and new friends at our fundraising event last Saturday night.  We have been believing God for the funds to enable our family to be in Rwanda this month, and to stay for 9+ months.  So many people have stepped forward and given sacrificially.  We are still a few thousand short of what we need, but commitments have been made and we are confident that the rest will come in.  Yeah God!

We are leaving for Rwanda on August 18th (arriving August 19th: 25 hours of traveling).  Our kids will start school the following Monday, August 23rd.  We would appreciate your prayers for our preparations and travel.  If you would like to keep up to date on our family news while we are Rwanda you can visit & subscribe to the McColm family blog at www.mccolms.blogspot.com.

Benjamin & Maureen have returned to Rwanda from the Sudan & he appears to continue to be in good health.  We are excited to be over there & actually get to see him and share with you his continued progress.  To God be the glory!

God Bless You,

Lisa