Our 3 month stay in Rwanda is drawing to a close. We leave this Saturday, May 16th, to return to the US. It is always heart breaking for us to leave, as we feel our hearts are both here with the kids that we love and the work we want to do, as well as with our friends and family back in the US. We miss you all & look forward to sharing with you the great things God has done & is doing in Rwanda. One thing we would like to do before we leave is to give each child in the Home of Innocence a Bible. Bibles cost approximately $10 US. We would like to also have Bibles ready to give to any new boys who may come into the home. Would you consider donating an amount to help us buy Bibles for these kids- former street children who now are attending school, praying and having devotions together as a family, and worshipping together at church? The boys would be so happy to have a Kinyarwanda Bible so they can learn more about God. You can donate towards Bibles via paypal by clicking on the “Giving” tab above, then selecting “one time donation” under Home of Innocence. Be sure to write a memo that says the donation is for Bibles. Or you can donate directly to our Vancouver office (click on “Contact” above). If you can help us give them Bibles this week that would be wonderful! Here are all of our Home of Innocence boys together-
Last Saturday we had all of the children who are registered with Ten Talents International gather at our office. Last month when the kids came many of them had brought their report cards to show (they had finished their first term at school). Several of our children placed very well in their classes: one was 1st, a few were second, some third, and so on. Now that we have our container out we have available to us items that were donated for the children here. This includes many pairs of shoes, both sport shoes and shoes for soccer (which all the kids love), as well as clothing. The children who placed in the top 10 of their class all got to choose a pair of brand new shoes. It was such a pleasure to be able to reward their hard work in this way. After those children had first pick, we then gave a pair of shoes to each boy in the Home of Innocence. We also gave each of the children who are sponsored, and those who are in the Home of Innocence, an article of clothing. The kids were so proud of their new shoes and clothes.
Pictured below is one of the Home of Innocence boys, Theogene. We have known Theogene for several years as he attended the feeding program for street children. Theogene used to be a very wild kid, but as he’s grown older he has changed and matured amazingly (praise to God!). He now has a sweet and humble heart, loves to pray and sing, and is a hard worker. Here in Rwanda there is no age limit for school, so children who have missed years of school, or never attended before, simply enroll where they left off. So, Theogene, at 18 years old, is in 2nd grade. He is progressing well and came out #3 in his grade. But Theogene needs a sponsor. We actually have many boys in the home who need sponsors. Please pray with us for God to provide sponsors for all the children registered with Ten Talents, and especially for those who are in the Home.
Thank you for your faithful support of our ministry here in Rwanda. The work continues as we leave, through our staff- Simon Peter Ngoga and Maureen- as well as by God’s grace! You can pray for our long plane flight this weekend to go well also!
God Bless You,
Lisa
