Prayer Bulletin

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for the support, prayers, and concern many of you express to us on a frequent basis. Several of you have contacted us concerning our safety after the earthquake in Southwestern Rwanda. We are all well. The earthquake took place about 125 miles from us. We felt a shaking on Sunday morning before church, but that was about it. We have friends that work at the Kibogoro Hospital in Southwest Rwanda who are busy treating the injured who would appreciate your prayers. For our family and ministry we request your prayers in the following matters this month:

1. Church attendance continues to be good in the early weeks of 2008. We seem to be hovering in the range of 150 to 160 different individuals. We feel very thankful when we consider that we have only been meeting for 11 months. Also, we continue to attract many who are thought leaders in various capacities in Rwanda. One of our struggles is that our core group that does most of the work only numbers 15 to 20 people. Many of the others who attend are exploring faith and also in the habit of being church observers instead of participants. May the group of gathering seekers move to becoming committed disciples in our faith community.

2. On Sunday, March 2 we plan to celebrate our 1 Year Church Anniversary. We see this as an opportunity to both gather more seekers and create vision ownership for the seekers gathered. A year ago, we asked the Lord for 300 to attend our March Fourth Grand Church Opening and 332 attended. This year we are asking the Lord for 400 to attend our Anniversary. May the Lord gather those He intends on 2 March. May this be an opportunity for those who are catching the vision to begin actively sharing their faith with their family and friends.

3. Kigali International Community School (KICS) continues to show an incredible niche in Kigali. Our new term opened with 87 students from 23 nationalities. Growth is only limited by quality teachers. Our Principal, Brian Dolinger, will be on a recruiting trip from February 7 to 21. We hope to have 14 full time teachers by September. May God call those he desires to join us at KICS. May Brian’s travels be safe and productive.

4. Kigali is a relatively dull place on most weekends. However, it is also a very youthful city. Thus we plan to begin a Friday evening Youth Program in the next few months as an alternative to discos and bars. A friend of ours from Uganda, Moses Mbabaali, plans to join us this week to work as our Youth Minster in this endeavor. May Moses adapt well to Kigali and find the Lord’s unique calling. May the Lord use our humble efforts to gather young people eager to discover more faith.

5. Our youngest son, Timothy struggles with a minor case of Cerebral Palsy on his right side. He is now 5 years old. Timothy is thriving academically. He has one of the strongest senses of determination we have ever observed in a child. Also, he has almost completely overcome the disabilities on his right leg, and may be one of the fastest children his age in school. However, his right arm continues to be a struggle. Over Christmas, he asked us for “a new arm.” Since being in Kigali we have not been able to find an adequate Physical Therapy situation for him. We have mostly focused on just encouraging his sense of determination and desire for continual activity. However, we realize that Timothy needs something more. This week, we are looking and praying for an option that will help him overcome May we find Physical Therapist who can work well with Timothy and take him to a new level in ability.

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

Imana ikurinde (May God Keep All of You),

Dave and Jana