Update from Rwanda

Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM.org) is such a wonderful organization. It's been about 8 months since I started sponsoring this young man in Rwanda.  Shyaka is a precious example of the great need to sponsor children.  I wrote about Shyaka in a previous post (click here to read), so be sure to read that if you haven't already.

Natalie Green, with ANLM,  is leading two different missionary teams to Rwanda this month.  She was directly responsible for choosing Shyaka for me and my kids to sponsor.  She has become a dear friend over this last year, and has kept me up to date with so many different ways to help.  She has just arrived in Rwanda and will be there for about a month this time.

Natalie just sent me a message on facebook.  She said "Guess who I found assisting the leaders distribute new shoes at "Center Day" my first 10 minutes at our main property?! Healthy and joyful...and quite the leader--thanks to your sponsorship! He was promoted to grade SIX! I ran to him and gave him a giant hug. And I told him I would see him many times this month. He will be at the Kigali Sponsored Child Party this Wednesday and I will give him the gift y'all sent him then!"

Natalie Green and Shyaka

I'm so excited!  We sent several gifts for Shyaka with the team.  Things like a deflated soccer ball that the team can pump up, colored pencils, hot wheel cars, and a bit of candy too. :-)  Sounds like Wednesday they'll be having a special party for all the sponsored children, and will present gifts at that time.

It such a good feeling to know that people are actively touching and improving his life.  Not just his life, but thousands of other children as well.  If you'd like information on sponsoring a child, just let me know and I can get you in touch with Natalie and ANLM.

This Love is Stronger

For several months I have been following the story of "Daisy Love" and praying for her as often as I can remember. Daisy Love Merrick is the precious daughter of Pastor Britt Merrick of Reality Church in California.  Daisy is just five years old and has been battling a rare form of cancer called "Wilms Tumor".  If you get a chance, please visit Daisy's web site called http://PrayForDaisy.com

A beautiful song was written for Daisy by Dominic Balli
Today I simply wanted to share this song with you, but if you'd like more information about Dominic Balli you can visit this page.

I hope you enjoy this song and please take time to pray for Daisy...

When that storm comes
Like a hurricane
And the sun seems far away

We will not fear the wind
We will not fear the waves
I can feel your calm within

When this life is shaken
By ragin’ seas
We are not gon’ be afraid

So if ya walk on waves and wind
Then hold my hand and I’ll walk again

Chorus:
This love is stronger than the blood that beats my heart
This love is deeper, than the pain of all these scars
This love goes farther than the hope in answer’s arms
This love is stronger
It’s strong enough for me

V.2
You lived our sorrows,
Befriended all our pain
All that we might rise again

You stole my sickness,
Rested in my disease
All that I might rest in thee

And you alone bring healing,
And for you I’ll wait
But we are not gon’ be afraid

Chorus:

Bridge:
We may be crushed but we are not ever forsaken
We may be struck down but we are not ever destroyed
Then when that fire comes to shine through me your glory
We are not gonna be afraid

Roller Skating Fun

Carolyn, Ben and Lindsey absolutely love to roller skate.  Hanging out and being silly with friends is one of the best parts of skating.  On a recent trip to the rink I tried to capture some of the fun and silliness on video.  Sadly, Ben was not with us during this trip, but Carolyn and Lindsey's friends Karter, Emily and Catelin were.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Catelin and Lindsey

Emily, Carolyn, Karter and her Step-Sister

Love Never Fails

Today I dropped a letter in the mail to my sponsored child in Rwanda, Africa.  I keep a picture of him on my refrigerator as a reminder of my responsibility, and the need to do more.  I thought I might share a bit more about my child, and the wonderful organization that is helping to make a difference in his life.

Shyaka is a young boy who is suffering due to the recent loss of his parents.  Though he now lives with his Uncle's family, he is extremely poor, hungry and was rarely able to attend school.  My friend Natalie, who works with Africa New Life Ministries, met Shyaka during her last visit to Rwanda in February 2010.  When I had expressed an interest in sponsoring a child, she immediately knew that Shyaka was the boy for us.  Natalie shared the following with me...

"Steve, 

Thank you so much for loving on Shyaka through ANLM.  I truly hope that one day you meet him face to face in Rwanda! 

I cannot get him off of my mind.  That child broke my heart.  I know that Shyaka's hurt was palpable and intense from the loss of his parents.  ANLM is committed to getting him trauma/grief counseling.  My heart broke for Shyaka....in fact, I left the room crying after I spent time with him the second time.  I had to compose myself and then go back into the room.  He was clearly hungry (I gave him food out of my bag that I bought at the market that day) and he had outgrown his shoes.  The closed toe ends of his shoes had been sliced open so his toes could poke out due to his growth.  It was truly heart breaking.  You can pray for his health/hunger, pray for emotional well-being/counseling....and pray that he would find GREAT HOPE for his future and comfort in our Lord Jesus."

Since then, I have had the privileged of learning so much more about the organization that Natalie works with.  Africa New Life Ministries started in 2001 with about 30 sponsored children, and since then it has grown to more than 2,000 sponsored children, a full primary school, five orphanages, two churches, and many other ministries.  Sponsorship provides for education, clothing, school supplies, basic health needs, social and spiritual development.

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a child, I would strongly encourage you to contact Natalie or visit the Africa New Life Ministries web site.  Natalie not only manages the sponsorship of children, but she coordinates seasonal mission trips to Rwanda.

Here's her contact information...

     Natalie.E.Green@gmail.com
     http://www.anlm.org