Ready for Our First Day Of Training

PRAYER REQUESTS First - then too many details after that.

(1)  For all the Pastors to show up on time or closet to it (it never happens on the first day but we think it might be possible).  

(2) For a real bond of fellowship to develop quickly (the pastors don't all know one another 

(3) That we make good headway  

(4) That they really understand that material and the need to pass it on.  

(5) For us to listen to the Spirit.     

DETAILS ABOUT OUR DAY - Yesterday was a very full day.  We were blessed to get breakfast at our hotel at 545 (omelette and more) and off on the road by car shortly after 6.  We arrived in Musanze (in the mountains after a beautiful drive at around 9.  PJ went to preach in Pastor Jean Paul's church and I preached in Pastor Zachary's church.  

THE CHURCH SERVICE: When I arrived the service was just starting (it's a process of music and singing.. Kind of waiting for people to show up.  I was ushered into the Pastor's office and we prayed briefly.  Then we walked in to the front row of the sanctuary and sat down.  I was given an interpreter and then we were walked out again to pray again with the other leaders.  It was women's Sunday so they wore special traditional cloths and the focus was on women.  Welcoming guests took at least 30 minutes, maybe more.  The women were raising money through an offering at church to pay for 4 families in the community who didn't go to church who needed health insurance (It's different here).  I was finally invited up to preach shortly after 12.  I had an interpreter and preached 32 minutes on Mark 2 - the paralytic that Jesus healed.  After that we met up with PJ and ate lunch with Pastor John Paul and our chauffeur, Eugene at our hotel restaurant.  It was tasty.   

AFTERNOON - PJ and I want for a walk, made a friend we didn't want to make, and bought some bread, water, and Nutella for supper.  He took a break and I went for a walk and made a friend and found some guavas to buy.  We ate supper together and spent some time prepping and then praying for our first day of training.    

THANKFULNESS - We were thinking through what we had to be thankful for and all the answered prayer so far - and we were amazed.  We also thought about the first time we met - at Hidden Acres in 1992 - and if someone could have stopped in that night and told us that one day we'd both be pastors training pastors together in Africa, we would have never believed it.  Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriend Thee.