Trying it again. travel issues

We got news that our flight that was leaving Thursday night had been changed. They changed Airlines all the way including the start with Rwanda Air. We thought it just left 4 hours later at midnight that same day but then w3 realized it was a whole day later. This allowed us to get some work done and to relax and sleep a little more. But we also had to kill some time on the day of the trip when you have luggage but nowhere to be. So we had a long time at the airport in rwanda. Our flight was delayed a bit. We got on it and the AC wasn't working without the engines running and we sat on the tarmac for about an hour and it was so hot. When we landed in Paris we were on the tarmac for a while before we coule get off. We originally had 2 hours to get our next flight. They sent us to a bus. It was supposed to take us to terminal 2. But the bus driver drove in a circle. He stopped and asked for  information and ended up back where he started. He did it two more times before dropping us off at the wrong terminal. While walking in that terminal we asked for directions and help and we were sent the wrong way. We finally got going the right way and we had to go through security which took a long time. Being in a hurry and with Pastor Johns diabetic gear and such and their extra checking of him he managed to not pick up his watch as we left. When we finally got to our gate, it had just closed and we could not get on it. We had a good delta agent get us to a different flight so now we connect through Atlanta and then on to Des Moines landing at 10:30 tonight instead of at 6:00 last night. We did meet a very kind young French woman in the airport and got to learn a lot more about France and just had a good conversation.  We'll see what happens next.  God is good all time even when things don't go my way. 8 have a four hour drive home after landing. And I get to lead worship.  I saw the Eiffel Tower on our way in. 

and preach - which I can't wait to do. 

Day 3 and Pastor Nicodeme

The biggest disappointment of our training has been that they haven't prepared the homework as well as they should have.  We had to take time during class yesterday to let them prepare more.  But to see them in the text for 15 minutes over and over is just phenomenal.  Really - it's everything I hoped for.  Like all of us there are areas they need to grow in - but they have come so far.  Pray that they get boldness to pass it on well - and to pass it on for life.  I'm handing out little Frisbee today and telling them that when they see the Frisbee, they need to pass on the training. We went to Pastor Nicodeme house after training yesterday (stopped to see Pastor Juvenal on the way because he was sick - diabetic issues - the rich man's disease).  Pastor Nicodeme is our leader here and he has been a multiplier for so many years.  his denomination has been praying about sending their first missionary out of the country - he was on the committee - and over time, he was asked to go to South Sundan.  They are in the process of raising support and he hopes to go later this year.  This is such a huge step of faith at his age (late 50s maybe).  We met his whole family and his key family in the faith (We already knew them but saw how much he's done for them).  He knows I walk a lot here so we walked over an hour to his house.  It was a beautiful walk and I should a lot of kids hands as we walked - the love saying hi to Muzungus (foreigners).  My heart is full.  We say goodbye today - and this will be our last time seeing them this side of heaven probably..  It's bitter sweet - it's my first time going to 3 trainings with one group.  It is so special.  Pray that we finish well.. On a simple note - our flights got changed - 5 hours later and different airlines and stops... Not sure what that all will mean practically.  I have sermon prep to do on the way as well.  God is still working.  thanks for praying

Final day of training

"I used to entertain in my preaching to gather large crowds - I preached the Gospel of entertainment.  Now I’m getting better and better at applying the patheways principles.  My elders have said - your preaching has changed so much… and I am now helping my elders learn to do the Pathways methods - and even others are following what I am doing."

This was one of many such testimonies we heard from these pastors we are training.  I can't describe how big a deal this is.  Each pastor preached messages in class where they stayed in the text throughout the whole message (something none of them ever did 2 years ago).  And they are passing on the training.

  On another note - we got an email that our flights were changed  - to different airlines and 27 hours later.  So we had to stay an extra night.  It did give us time to process the trip more.  We were both also able to do a lot of sermon prep that we expected to have to do on the plane.  So we are still up in the mountains but will be heading out on the bus down the mountain in a few hours to catch the plane just after midnight.  They say the buses to the city are crazy busy Friday afternoon so getting on one in good time will be our first challenge.  Pray for journey mercies.  One other highlight was giving a Bible to each pastor,  In these tough economic times it was such a simiple and powerfully encouraging thing to do,  I want to thank those who gave to help with the trip.  I'm ready to be back in my other home (Africa is definitely a home for me).

Day 3 and Pastor Nicodeme

The biggest disappointment of our training has been that they haven't prepared the homework as well as they should have.  We had to take time during class yesterday to let them prepare more.  But to see them in the text for 15 minutes over and over is just phenomenal.  Really - it's everything I hoped for.  Like all of us there are areas they need to grow in - but they have come so far.  Pray that they get boldness to pass it on well - and to pass it on for life.  I'm handing out little Frisbee today and telling them that when they see the Frisbee, they need to pass on the training. We went to Pastor Nicodeme house after training yesterday (stopped to see Pastor Juvenal on the way because he was sick - diabetic issues - the rich man's disease).  Pastor Nicodeme is our leader here and he has been a multiplier for so many years.  his denomination has been praying about sending their first missionary out of the country - he was on the committee - and over time, he was asked to go to South Sundan.  They are in the process of raising support and he hopes to go later this year.  This is such a huge step of faith at his age (late 50s maybe).  We met his whole family and his key family in the faith (We already knew them but saw how much he's done for them).  He knows I walk a lot here so we walked over an hour to his house.  It was a beautiful walk and I should a lot of kids hands as we walked - the love saying hi to Muzungus (foreigners).  My heart is full.  We say goodbye today - and this will be our last time seeing them this side of heaven probably..  It's bitter sweet - it's my first time going to 3 trainings with one group.  It is so special.  Pray that we finish well.. On a simple note - our flights got changed - 5 hours later and different airlines and stops... Not sure what that all will mean practically.  I have sermon prep to do on the way as well.  God is still working.  thanks for praying

Day 2 Reflections

I think I heard the best round of 4 presentations I've ever heard on a Pathways trip (to be fair, this training is the most advanced training I've done).  It was so good to hear them in the text for the whole 15 minutes.  We could see all the evidence of them having used the Pathways method and tools.  It really was confirmation of the value of this (again - before we came - I don' know if any of them had ever preached a sermon where they actually focused on a text).  We laugh a lot too in the midst of it all and have some robust discussion around Scripture.  We continue to get to know this pastors and the challenge to their lives since their churches have been closed are very discouraging. They've all lost members and have lost lots of money.  Keep praying for God to open these churches somehow.  Pray too for us that we will be able to encourage them and build them up in Christ will also teaching them.  On a very small note, our flights got moved back and changed to completely different airlines.  We have some things to figure out logistically.  Continue to pray for our health and energy. Every night of sleep is different (last night a couple mosquitoes in my room kept me up for a while).  

Day 1 Done

We started ahead of schedule on the first day - that may be unheard of.  It was so good to be back with the men.  It was a lot of review and overall they did well.  The first presentations were really good - and yet with room to improve.  The men are passing on the training which is a top priority.  It was a warm day with no rain and I enjoyed that.  The rest of the week has a chance for rain every day and it could be a bit cooler. The challenges of having their church buildings closed down has really made life hard for these men on so many levels.  It really affects their ability to easily pass on the material.  We are so thankful for such a great first day - and thankful for sleep and feeling healthy.  Pray that the men really understand the training and that we can encourage them mightily.  What a crazy privilege to be here.  

Sunday - a bumpy road can lead you to a beautiful place

Pastor Nicodeme told us he wanted to have each of us preach and to take us somewhere different.  the bus schedule for the place was not consistent on Sunday so he found a friend's car and chauffer to take us.  We drove and drove and drove - around a huge famous lake here.  Most of it was off road in our Rav 4.  We had 3 in the back seat and the whole thing rattled every step of the way.  The views were spectacular.  We each were able to preach in a different church.  My church had 4 choirs and it was over 2 hours before I got to start preaching.  I preached on Elijah and the prophets of Baal - wanted to give them a high view of God. Nicodeme translated.  We ate with some leaders there and then headed back.  Again - amazing views and incredibly bumpy roads. We stopped at two of Nicodeme denominations churches to pray.  One of them was his.  We keep praying that God will open them.  Last night we took Nicodeme and his wife and daughter joy out of supper.  It was a good time together.  So thankful for a great day.  Training finally starts tomorrow.  Pray each pastor makes it there today and that they come truly ready - having done the homework.  Pray for sweet fellowship and that we'd be able to really encourage these pastors who are struggling because their churches aren't open.  Thank you! 

Arrival and A Big Day Planned Sunday

Overall travel was great.  I slept better than normal on the first flight (thank you to all who prayed).  I stayed awake on the second and so had great sleep my first night here (last time I struggled every night).  We stay the first night in the Capitol and then take the public bus up the mountain on Saturday.  That too was simple and uneventful (except PJ forgot his prescription sun glasses on the bus but a pastor friend happened to be on the same bus and ran after it and used a motorcycle to flag it down and get the glasses). 

Lunch hit the spot and we met an old friend after lunch. I was able to buy some home made salted peanuts on the street.  We were still full for supper so just ate something light.

The plan tomorrow is to take car (we were told it may not be working well) to drive more than 60 miles away to two churches.  Each of us will preach.  Neither of us remembered to bring a sermon (though we both meant to) but we're ready.  I'll be preaching about Elijah and the prophets of Baal - which is really a story about God.  It's going to be a very long day, I believe.  I think we'll eat supper with Pastor Nicodeme and his wife tomorrow night. 

All but one of these pastors still can't preach in their church or even meet in large groups outside the church. We start Monday morning.  We want to be servants.  Pray that God finds many ways for us to serve. 

Pray for our health

We always both hope not to have to use the squatty potties when away from the hotel.  May not seem like a big deal, but it's big enough. 

Can't wait to see what God is going to do. 

We Covet your prayers. 

On the Road Again.

I was going to head down to Iowa late Wednesday night to stay with my pastor friend John before we head out Thursday morning. But as the weather was coming in I left earlier and I'm very thankful that I did. Not that it was a huge decision but I think it was the right one and I'm thankful for your prayers as we make simple decisions. We got to the airport 2 hours early and I think we were at our gate in less than 15 minutes. Uneventful flight to Chicago and now about five and a half hours here while we wait for our overseas flight. We've been able to do some planning and that's been good. Also great to catch up. We also were able to see Damien and his wife last night. You might remember that Damien went with me last time. 

Pastor Nicodeme mentioned that we will be at some church far out of the city on Sunday morning. I assume one of us will be preaching. 

We fly to Brussels and have a few hours there and then on to Kigali. Friday night at 7:30 we should land in Kigali and then Saturday at 9:00 or 10:00 we will take a bus up the mountain and get to Musanze. Thanks for praying

I have a slight headache and my nose is running a bit.

Pray that I sleep a good bit on the plane.