While we normally think of Christmas as the season for giving and receiving gifts, over the last couple of months we have been on both the giving and receiving end of some gifts that we want to share with you.

The “Pre-Season” of Gifts Part 1 

Since 2018, I (Darrell) have been working with colleagues to facilitate training in family ministry for pastors and church leaders from every church of our Rwandan Baptist partner, the AEBR. The serious struggles that families are facing have been viewed as one of the key challenges in the health and strength of their churches. Over the years, we have had sessions on topics such as communication, parenting roles, child development, how to care for/love your spouse, the roles of husbands and wives, and finances. These training times have been very powerful and greatly appreciated. 

However, one of our dreams has been to have a Family Ministry manual that could be distributed to all the churches to use in their Parenting Clubs. In this way, families can continue to learn and grow together in each congregation. Well, the good news is that finally, with the help of CBM, the Family Ministry Manual has been completed and printed and we have begun distributing it to the pastors and family ministry coordinators from each church. What a joy!! 

The manual is designed as lessons which the family ministry coordinators can facilitate as the parenting clubs meet, encouraging lots of learning and discussion. The lessons focus on things such as “God’s Design for Marriage”, “Sin’s Effect on Marriage”, “Reasons for Marriage Failure”, “Strategies for a Healthy Marriage”, “Managing Conflict in the Family”, “Family Planning”, “Sex in the Marriage” (a popular lesson!), “How to Communicate with Children” and more! 

We are so grateful to CBM for helping to make this manual become a reality. We know that it will have a significant impact on many families here in Rwanda. What a beautiful, powerful gift! 

The “Pre-Season” of Gifts Part 2  

We have not only had the privilege to be giving gifts, but we have also been the recipients of a wonderful gift. We just had a 2-month visit from our daughter, Bronwyn. What a joy to have that extended time with her! Even though we were still working, there was still lots of time to hang out – talking, playing games, doing crafts, etc. She was also a big help in putting together our Christmas cards. And we did have a couple of vacation days left that we used to travel to one of the national parks. All-in-all, we are feeling blessed for having been given this beautiful gift. 

The Power Centre: Connecting Thru Prayer

• Join us in giving thanks for the Africa Vennture Conference, Dec 10-15. It was a wonderful time with all of our East Africa partners. (More about this in the next ministry update.)
• We are also deeply grateful to have the faithful financial support of so many churches and individuals. For over 20 years we have witnessed the incredible commitment of God’s people. 
• Please pray for the CBM Africa Team over these next few weeks as strategic planning for 2023 will be done. These are interesting times we live in and we need God’s wisdom.
• Pray for our East African partners: CBCA (Congo), CEBCE (Congo), ACC&S (Kenya), FEBAC (South Sudan) & AEBR (Rwanda). They face many challenges these days, including recovery from the pandemic, political unrest, high cost of living due to the war in Ukraine, etc. At CBM, we ask God to enable us to be good partners, walking with them on this journey. 

In this broken world, we pray that this Christmas season will be a reminder to us of the peace, joy, hope and love that is found only in Jesus, whose birth we celebrate together.