Grace Upon Grace

Hello! And thank you for checking out my blog (and for caring about what's going on in my life)!! I'm so glad to share with you some exciting things that have been happening in our lives. The last time we started a blog, we were on our journey to Elijah. This will be a different kind of journey, exciting, but different. :)

God has placed on my heart to travel to Rwanda, Africa with my church this fall, October 5-14 to be exact. Here in Rwanda, Harvest Community Church has established a relationship with Solace Ministries (www.solaceusa.org) three years ago to serve the orphans and widows that were left from the tragic genocide that occurred in 1994. It is estimated 1,000,000 people were brutally killed in less than 100 days. Do you remember this? I didn't. Lot's of politics behind that and I've been told it was during the time of the O.J. Simpson trial. Sad. Very sad. But since learning of this genocide, and how my church has been ministering to these people, God has been tugging and nudging me.

So why now? Since I've been part of Harvest, the church has sent short term missions groups three times. Each time I've prayed for them, supported them and listened to the stories they've told upon their return. The reason I feel NOW is the time to go is simply because this trip has my name on it. God has already provided financially my first deposit! Don't get me wrong. I STRONGLY believe that not every open door is a "sign from God". But with this unsolicited financial gift, I do believe God is confirming I should go.

God has done some really incredible things in my life this past year. He's moved me, changed me, taken (almost) all comforts away at one time or another and pruned me. It hasn't been pretty. :) But I praise God for pulling me close, for friends that give godly counsel, and a husband who is supportive, loving and the best grocery shopper in the house! (We learned some practical lessons too!) God has been preparing me in many ways, now is the time.

So, what are we doing in Rwanda? First and foremost, advancing the gospel. With an interpreter, we'll be sharing our own stories of salvation one on one to speaking to crowds of people. When Americans come to visit, it draws the natives out of their homes in appreciation that they haven't been forgotten. Next, there's a community center in Mugina we'll be helping physically build. Don't get me wrong, they'll be teaching US but, nonetheless, we'll be an extra set of hands working. We'll be listening. I promise, I will! We'll sit and listen to the stories of the widows who survived this tragic attack. I've been told not many people who come to visit will go into the widows very humble homes to listen to their stories. It's very therapeutic for them to show their scars, tell of the loved one lost and tell of the survivors in their families. What a better time to share the love of Christ with them in their brokenness and tell of a Savior that heals and comforts! And finally, it is my (personal) mission to help the orphans (go figure, I know) who need sponsors. I'm not totally sure what this will look like and am working out the details but pray for me as I already feel inadequate to take on such a task!

So thanks for hearing my heart in this matter! Check back as I will be updating this blog weekly to keep you updated on this journey.

First order of business is my rummage sale! Join me July 27-28 at my home in Milwaukee and help me raise funds for this event! My garage is piling up as we speak with things friends have donated. Thank you so much!!

In His Name,
Amanda