Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Peace to all of you and your beloved ones. Warm greetings from a warmer and sunny Rwanda. Yes, summer is here, I hope it is the same in your part of Canada.
We praise God for keeping you and me and our beloved families in His love. Even during the difficult times, God took you and I through the hardships that we navigated, as He keeps us hoping for the future as well.
He progressively teaches us how to faithfully follow him by serving His people around us.
Remember it is not about clergy and church related work only, but the work we all do, either home based or in the field, we do it all with love, faith, and hope – any work that makes human beings thrive in God’s love.
I bring you updates:
Family wise, all has been well, my son has completed his first year of university in Cyprus. All my daughters will be home this summer, so the house will be full and warm again. The next year will be more fun, having 4 university students in the house. Therese is still leading the local Baptist church in Kigali.
In May and June, I returned to my home office routines after 2 months of being away visiting churches in Canada, then visiting the partner in West Africa (Togo).
Ministry wise, I treasure the church visits in Canada – in Ontario, Fredericton, Moncton, and Nova Scotia. Thank you for having me in your churches and in your homes. I felt much love, care, fellowship, and very warm hearts in you, even if outside was very cold for me!
One thing I learned is that all churches experience times of joy but also times of struggle. This reminds us all to be praying for one another and remain in unity as one body of Christ. Thank you for helping me survive the snow and the freezing weather!
In Africa, God has been at work bringing hope to the families that were affected by the floods in Kenya. Currently, CBM is supporting a food assistance project in Kenya following the deadly flooding that caused several deaths in Maimahiu valley. Similar ministry is happening in Eastern DR Congo, supporting the local Baptist initiatives providing assistance to a hundred thousand people who live in the refugee camps.
At the same time, the Africa Team has been on the move to different places for ministry purposes:
– Rev. Gato traveled to South Sudan to train youth on peace and reconciliation.
– Darrell traveled to Kenya for Faith & Work integration training.
– Polisi traveled to Malakal, in South Sudan, to launch a new food security project
– Laura Lee Bustin and Laura Muema hosted a team from Westview Canada, serving the local partner in Rwanda.
God is at work, in different ways and we are very humbled to be part of God’s redemption plans of building His Kingdom. What we know very well is that CBM cannot accomplish much without your prayers, care, and financial support. Thank you for being our support in ministry.
As we continue journeying together in God’s mission, please join in praying for these items:
– Traveling mercies in the upcoming events (BWA gathering in Lagos, Nigeria).
– Smooth running of the Africa partnership conference that is scheduled in Nairobi, Kenya, in July.
– Peace and stability in the region where hundreds of thousands are deeply suffering in the refugee camps.
– Provisions for our church partners as they stand on the frontline trying to make a difference in their respective communities.
Blessings on all of you.
