Prayer Bulletin

Dear Family and Friends,

In unpacking we ran across old newsletters we had forgotten. Sorting through them helped us remember God’s care during our journey to Rwanda. In October, 1997 we wrote, “We have had several leading members of the Kampala Church of Christ move this month which has left large voids. One is Justin Rudasingwa. … As the civil war in Rwanda resolved in 1994 many of Uganda’s Rwandese population began to move back to Rwanda. Several of Justin’s family members and friends moved back. Recently, Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s Vice President and military leader, was able to secure Justin a position with the telephone company in Kigali. Justin has thus decided it is time for him to return. As he said his goodbyes tears were shed. We will deeply miss Justin. We plan to stay in touch and hope his return to Rwanda may facilitate an eventual church planting in Rwanda.”

Little did we know in 1997 that our hopes and prayers would lead to our own journey into Rwanda. The Lord has done surprising things. We have come away convicted of our need to pray with greater earnestness and expectation, trusting that even each painful moment in life will be used by the Lord to spread His kingdom. Also, we have realized how important it is to pray for specific people and specific situations.

This month we request your prayers for the following matters:

1. Legal Documentation: Last month with the Lord’s help we were able to secure a Provisional District Registration. This is the first step in the eventual acquisition of a National Registration for the church to operate in Rwanda. Our friend in the Office of the President, John Nkuranga has been very helpful in introducing us to the right people at the right time. Our next step will be to meet the Minister of Local Government, Protais Musoni. Please pray that we will soon have an appointment with him and that we will be given favor.

2. Co-workers: Kyle and Luz Beard will join us in late May. Please pray for their final funding to soon be discovered. Also, Caleb and Jenny Beck are planning to join us in February 2007. Pray that they will soon find an overseeing congregation and join us. We are convinced that we will see a wonderful harvest in Rwanda. May the Lord raise up the right harvesters to join us in this endeavor. It appears the Lord is crafting a very unique niche for us in Kigali to engage the nations current and future thought leaders.

3. Kigali International Christian School: Thank you so much for your prayers for our children’s adjustment to Rwanda. We believe the gathering of so many American missionaries and development workers in Kigali is an answer to those prayers. In order for our family to stay in Rwanda over the long haul we must find a school option. We believe the formation of KICS is the Lord’s answer to our struggle. We now have 4 teachers from the U.S. who have applied for positions with KICS. Also, 2 moms of our children are planning to teach. This was our minimum number to barely function, but we need several more so that that KICS can thrive. Please pray for Amanda Moore and Kyla Kiser as they raise funds to join us and teach at KICS. Also, please pray for a Head Teacher to arise who can help provide leadership for KICS. We are hoping to find someone with both teaching and African experience who can commit at least 3 years to providing leadership for KICS.

4. Contact Center: We have recently rented an office / contact center at Kigali Business Center. It is the best possible location we could imagine. It is one of Kigali’s most prominent buildings on the main road between the downtown and the airport. We prayed boldly for this location, and when every other location we explored fell through, this office mysteriously came to the top. We plan to use it to offer English correspondence courses (such as W.B.S. and W.E.I.), bible studies, and counseling. We now have 2 needs: One is furnishings and resources to make it operational. The other is an Administrator to manage it. Please pray for a worthy African harvester to join us in administrating this contact center.

5. Pace and Rest: Though we are thoroughly enjoying our time in Rwanda, we have yet to establish a good pace. The last few months we have experienced some sickness within our family that is just the signs of wear and tear. Pray that we may establish our pace and find appropriate Sabbath rest. The newness and need to create so much infra-structure to be sustainable in Rwanda can be quite draining and leaves us little place to retreat. May we discover greater retreats.

Again, thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement that sustain our family and ministry.

Imana Ikurinde (May the Lord Keep All of You),

Dave and Jana

P.S. Last week we were able to visit with Rwanda’s Minister of Education about the formation of KICS, and she was very favorable. Thank you again for all of your prayers that go beyond what any of us could anticipate.