Prayer Bulletin

Dear Family and Friends,

We can’t believe it has been three months since we last wrote our “monthly” prayer bulletin. Rwanda’s President Kagame states, “Others can walk. We must run.” It has been three months of running. We’ve had a few minor crises such as Caleb having a concussion. We’ve had computer and internet issues. However, we’ve also had many out of the ordinary opportunities (that sometimes masquerade as crises.) God has been good. We thank him for His care. Also, we thank you for your prayers, concern, and support when our lives become too chaotic to request. May God continue to richly bless you for your gracious encouragement.

This month we ask your prayers for the following matters:

1. Thanksgiving for our children’s faith discovery. On Sunday, December 14 our oldest son Caleb chose to be baptized. On Sunday, 25 January our next son, Ethan also chose to be baptized. We continue to delight in the goodness of God expressed through our kids. (Dave particularly wonders what he ever did to deserve such great kids. Or maybe it is just pure grace.) We had a delightful holiday season full of many good memories and also traveled to our old stomping grounds in Uganda for a week of reminiscing. May God continue to lead our children to greater discoveries.

2 Thanksgiving for Christ’s Church in Rwanda growth. We can’t believe how quickly CCR is growing. Things really took off during the Christmas Holidays. Our youth program is thriving. Attendance is now ranging on Sundays between 250 and 300. Many of those attending are in the leading offices of Rwanda. Each month usually has 4 to 6 baptisms. God is doing something out of the ordinary.

3. Wisdom in transitions: Last week, Jana was laid off due to the Global Financial Crisis from Gladney Center for Adoption. It was a wonderful job that she’ll miss. Also, with last year’s 21% inflation in Rwanda and Gladney’s Health insurance the job kept us afloat. However, we trust that God has something good for us. We ask your prayers for greater measure of wisdom as we navigate transitions.

A. Vulnerable Children: Jana continues to be drawn towards providing leadership for practical ways to empower Rwanda’s vulnerable children. Adoption is close to our hearts. We suspect that the Lord may want our attention to be drawn towards leading CCR to be leaders in this area. May we hear God’s voice clearly in this matter.

B. Teaching Opportunities: In our last Prayer Bulletin we asked for prayers for opportunities to teach widely. Some of what we guessed about has yet to materialize. However, some other opportunities have developed that we did not anticipate. Dave has been asked to be one of the Key Note Speakers in May’s Shepherd Leadership Conference in Rwanda. He has been asked to speak on Integrity. The conference will be attended by representatives from at least 15 different Christian organizations and churches and will likely have approximately 500 in attendance. The other speakers are quite well respected, and Dave feels very humbled to be in their company. May Dave’s words be the Lord's.

Also, Dave received a surprise phone call two weeks ago from the Engineering Faculty at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology to co-teach an Ethics Course. Dave has done this every year since we came, but in 2008 it seemed to be winding down. Instead, in 2009 he will now be lecturing to over 200 university students in their final year. We are praying that this will be an opportunity to begin a more active campus ministry for CCR and that our presence on campus will strengthen Rwanda’s future leaders.

Again, thank you for your gracious support of our family and ministry.

Imana ikurinde (May the Lord Stay with All of You),

Jana and Dave Jenkins

P.S. Our family seems to be new Face Book addicts. Feel free to look us up and see some photos.