First an update on the 12 Days of Christmas: 2 more items have been purchased, so now we get to give the kids mosquito nets and 11 bags of charcoal (for cooking). Yeah! Thank you! There are still some items left if you are interested please read the post below this one.
On Saturday, January 1st, we held a party for all the sponsored children and their families. We planned for 125 people, but actually ended up feeding 140 people. In addition to their meal and soda, we gave each sponsored child a gift: a new outift, including shoes. Mike also took some time to talk with them and share with them about having a relationship with Jesus.
Mike (with our son Michael Munyaneza interpreting) addresses the attendees
The kids were all delighted with their new clothes, and if you are a sponsor you have probably already received an email with your sponsored child’s new picture. Want to see more pictures of the party? Search for “Ten Talents International” on facebook. On our page there I will add more pictures from the party.
This last Saturday, January 8th, we gave all the sponsored kids 8 exercise books (blank notebooks) and 2 pens for school (after 1st grade they don’t use pencils in school here). That’s about 400 notebooks and 120 pens! Next week we will be giving out 50 backpacks. When you calculate the party along with this and paying for school fees for all of the children (January marks the new school year in Rwanda)- this has been a very expensive month for TTI! Please keep praying for God to provide for the ministry going on here.
On this same day we also met with all the children who are waiting to be sponsored. These children come to our offices every month. We are able to pay their school fees, but that is it. Many of them have more needs: like notebooks, pens, and backpacks for school, school uniforms, medical care, etc. Please pray for us to find more sponsors. It is very difficult to have to see them waiting month after month. Once they are sponsored we are able to do much more for them. Right now, we pay their school fees, keep track of them, and we pray for them. We pray together for God to provide a sponsor for them, as well as for the other needs of the family. If you scroll down on this blog you can see where I’ve highlighted a few of these waiting children.
Thank you for being a part of what God is doing in Rwanda. Sometimes there is so much need it can feel overwhelming, but I know that what God requires of us is just our obedience. We continue to move forward in the work he has called us to do. More children are being sponsored every month, and we also are bringing more boys into the Home Of Innocence. These two boys both have had heart surgery similar to Benjamin. One child is an orphan, the other has family but they are not able to properly care for him. Pray with us for their transition into the home and for God to use their time in the Home of Innocence as He wills.
God Bless You!
Lisa
P.S. Here is a picture of the new cushions in the Home of Innocence- no more sitting on wood slats! Thank you!
