December 2009

 

Good Tidings of Great Joy this December!! 

Our hearts are full of gratitude and excitement as we anticipate holding this little boy!!

Thanks for your prayerful support!

 

 

 

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November 29, 2009

Here we go. Elmer, Racheal and I will be off to India tomorrow! We have such a crazy flight plan both going and coming. There are LONG hours of waiting in your favourite airport of the world – Mumbai!  Well, we really don’t yet know if it could become a favourite!? We are simply anticipating a bit of a cultural change and many bodies packed close together! Thanks for prayerfully supporting us as we go to minister with John and Anu Sajit in Kerala. CLA Rwanda makes a monthly contribution to this Church plant initiative started by John and Anu after they had worked here for six years. Thank-you for praying that we will be a blessing!  We’ll be teaching in a Marriage Enrichment Seminar, Servant Leadership course, pastors and women’s gatherings, the dedication of John and Anu’s baby and other fun things. We look forward to seeing a bit of that beautiful province before we head back home on Dec.10th. Let’s see if our first grandchild waits until the due date of Dec.13 or is born in the States before we land back in Rwanda!?! 

Our CANADIAN TEAM season is over for this year. We said good bye to our friends from Alberta on Wednesday the 18th. Thanks to all of you who have come to give of your time and expertise, and to those of you who have supported them in prayer and finances. During the past two months there’s been progress in relationship to the Skills Training funding application, Mercy Ministries support, and very practically – some amazing office furniture completed for Pastor Andrew Mukinisha, Pastor Marty, Racheal and me (Sherry:) Yippee! Thank God for partners.  

We felt strongly that during 2009, this church plant needed to mature to the level of adopting a governance policy and membership. After two membership intakes over the past few months, CLA presently has 256 official members!  

The past week of EMERGE – CLA’s school break youth event was life changing for many of the 65 that were present for the week. The testimonies are challenging and totally encouraging! A number of teens experienced miracles in their families.  

Marty, Margit, Katelyn, Sydney and Allyson Mittelstaedt have been with us for about two months! Their input has already proven to be of the highest quality. We are so thankful. The sea container with their personal effects and vehicle has arrived in record time! Please join us immediately with prayer for their work permits, and clearance of these goods. 

You are important to us. Thanks for patiently, persistently and prayerfully supporting this ministry in the heart of Africa.

 

 

 

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 November 2009

Please click here for a video clip about our ministry

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June 2009

We have just completed a most triumphant and encouraging Barnabas Ministries Pastor’s Seminar for very close to 150 RPAG Pastors (and a few wives) who have been so well fed – spiritually and physically. What a treat to have the very energetic Barnabas team pour out their best in this nation once again. The Legal Rep. of the RPAG had wonderful words of thanks and support for the team of guest speakers and the CLA team that makes this happen annually. 

The Appreciation Dinner for CLA workers was held on Friday evening, the seminar for our assembly on Saturday, and then by Sunday evening our pastors were arriving in the city. The last three days have been full to overflow with worship and dance, drums and joy, fellowship and diligent study of God’s word. Sometimes our hearts break with the needs of these laborers. Thanks again for helping us minister love, joy and peace to the corners of this nation through this Pastor’s training.

Since our last update, we’ve had tough times and sweet. Elmer had an accident with a motorcycle carrying a lady passenger who is now doing well and is just released from hospital; we’ve got a leaking tank and water shortage; our absolutely fantastic SHINE women’s conference with Flora Arati from MPC Kenya speaking, ended with a deep sense of God’s blessing; I, Sherry have severe bruises and pain from slipping at the edge of Lake Kivu when we took our guests to Kumbya; each day we hear triumphant reports from the Youth Ministry and leadership trainings as Racheal gives it her best; Aimee is in need of your fervant prayers as she pushes on in her retail job in Langley, AND we are now free to tell you that Jeff and Jodi, Lord willing, will make us proud grandparents by the end of this year! Life is full and we have much reason for gratitude.

There are too many stories to tell. Thanks for making it possible for us to be part of God’s sovereign work in this land.

Love in Christ

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March 31, 2009

Summary: 

2009 has been more than full! Of course, we aren’t blessed with snow storms or blizzards to slow down the pace!

(If this is too full of details…… don’t miss the last paragraph

The ministry of Marty and Margit Mittlestadt at the beginning of January, during our week of fasting and prayer was very timely. The early morning prayer movement hasn’t ceased since then.  We are desperate for a special move of God’s spirit in this nation and at CLA.

Seven members of a landscaping, electrical, and carpentry team from Canada came and went between Jan.10 – Feb.19. Huge progress in the Gardens!

The great PAOC missions conference in Bali, weddings,and sermons, leadership retreat/board meetings and the drawing up of our Governance policy, Missionlink/PAOC visit, administration work, and Pastoring in all dimensions has filled our days (and nights

The Cell Summit (March 12 – 15) with guest speaker Pastor Franco from Kampala Pentecostal Church proved to be a highlight that is promoting authentic community and multiplication of cells.

Over the past two months CLA has provided the venue and trainers for a well received Trauma Counseling course for church leaders across this city who must respond to those suffering from Gender based violence and HIV AIDS.

This past week the seminar by Dr. Hitimana on Inner Healing and Emotional Wholeness concluded with his Sunday morning message on “Forgiveness” shared as only a Rwandan can. The church is preparing to relevantly meet needs in the community during the upcoming genocide memorial and National Week of Mourning. Please pray particularly for the deep healing of wounded hearts and minds in Rwanda during the month of April.

We expect to be in Canada, and absent from our congregation for three Sundays between April 6th and 30th. There are still many arrangements to be finalized.  This is the only time planned for us to be on Home Assignment this year. How we’d love to see you all! Since that is not possible, we really look forward to catching up with as many as possible during the provincial conferences.

Praise:

The Jelsma family from Cedargrove Baptist in Surrey, B.C. arrived in November. They represent the development of our Health and Wellness Centre and its outreach program.  The emphasis of this ministry is Health Evangelism / HIV/AIDS education and community health with a focus on Maternal Child Health. Please pray for this little family and that all preparations will be completed quickly in order for work teams to start coming. Plans for prenatal classes on two levels in both the church and at our tent site are planned for May/June!  What an evangelism opportunity!

The M. Mittlestadt family (PAOC) is presently fundraising with hopes to join us by the summer of this year. Marty will be the Pastor of Music and Multi Media. (Sherry is shouting! One less ministry on her plate when this actually happens!

Racheal is back doing Leadership Development Training – did an amazing job organizing our Cell Summit, will be teaching night school this coming week, and is preparing the Cell Leadership Manual: Servant Leadership – Authentic Community – How to Lead a Small Group.

We are so excited about the new tent top that has been ordered!  We can hardly wait to see that Citywide Youth Sports Centre functioning to its fullest potential on the YMCA property which we still manage.

Prayer for:

Our physical and emotional health; brief home assignment coming up in nine days at which time we will attend two District conferences

Membership and Governance Policy process for the maturing church plant of CLA

wisdom in coordinating all aspects of ministry and team on this project

competent staff in all areas – at the church, and for the Intango Skills and Vocational Training School project

possible CIDA connections

a builder/contractor for the Health and Wellness Centre in cooperation with Cedargrove

for our precious family – Racheal, Jeff and Jodi, and then Aimee in BC

teams expected this fall.

Friends, U R Wonderful!  Almost daily we pray and thank God for all of you. Your commitment to Christ, your prayers, and obedience to His purposes empower us to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission in this land.

See you soon!

Elmer and Sherry.

“BREAKING” NEWS:  Five acres of land has just been purchased for our Mercy Ministries Village! It’s within city limits! There’s space for the construction of up to 30 homes for  widows and their children, orphans, and other vulnerable people – primarily those living with HIV AIDS. This has been made available by a specific and generous donation! Celebrate the purchase, pray over the work ahead, and the lives that will be changed forever! Hallelu!

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December 21, 2008

 Click here, for video Christmas Greetings from us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISU3yeyuzT4

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November 21, 2008 – praises!

Thanks so much for the prayer over this past week of the drama at CLA, Kigali! How graciously the Lord has provided us with safety, unity, technology, and creativity, to list a few blessings. The atmosphere, and crowd control when doing the drama for the first time in our new building was fabulous. Our platform is any actor’s delight. We have learned some valuable lessons and look forward to repeating the drama annually. Perhaps by next year we’ll be able to have two casts – one to present in Kinyrwanda and one in English? Our team did an amazing job. We will be following up over 100 solid adult decisions and twice that number of children. Testimonies that we are hearing already are so encouraging. Two young boys who watched the story of a father and his son who did not accept Christ because of many excuses, were convinced that they should not delay in receiving Jesus as their Saviour. One young adult testified the following morning after receiving Christ, that he had never in all his life experienced such peace! A church leader’s brother whom we have been praying for since CLA began 10 years ago, walked forward to receive Christ into his life this week. Follow up classes begin this evening. Please continue to pray for lasting fruit in the lives of all of these that have been clearly exposed to the gospel message.Yours for souls in this beautiful nation,——November 19, 2008Prayer Request:  Please pray for the follow up of those coming to Christ this week during our drama outreach, Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames. The follow-up of the many teens is of prime concern.  We also ask prayer for the new partner family that has come to join us in connection with the Health and Wellness Centre.  The Jelsmas need their work permits before their personal effects arrive.  They need a sturdy vehicle and a modest house to rent.

Bag story

 

 

Here we are back in Rwanda safe, and as “sound” as can be expected when jetlag clutches the back of your shirt and weights your shoes!

Through “padded” security searches, aimless airport hours, and the seemingly unending adventure of airplanes, we have once again survived! All five of our luggage pieces arrived with us. When departing from Vancouver the KLM agent waived the charges for an extra luggage piece when she looked at our passports, work permits and heard a bit of our story. Such unusual experiences give us opportunity to stop and sing praises to the God of Wonders that we serve!  We were carrying one bag of mylar (shiny paper) and supplies for the drama to be done in two week’s time here at CLA!

And that brings us to the most crucial prayer request for today – PRAY for salvation to be the experience of hundreds who will come to see the Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames drama from Nov. 15 – 20th!  Pray for the actors, for teamwork, and for strong follow-up.  Pray for safety and wisdom for Elmer and those who will help to construct the set and it’s lighting in the next week or so.

Elmer and I are so aware of our need for your committed prayer. You can imagine that the demands on us are many after being away for these past two months!

Pray for the safe arrival and settling of the Jelsma family (health and wellness centre) who land in Kigali on Saturday. 

Pray for a safe journey and successful meetings as Jeff and Jodi return to Canada with a flight dept. on Sunday. Jodi particularly needs an answer to prayer for a health situation that has not yet been diagnosed.

Pray for Racheal who is presently in Canada for a couple of months seeking to enlarge her support base and attend to life details that she can’t touch while working in Rwanda.

And continue to uphold our Aimee in her pursuit of God’s plans for her future.

There are dozens of issues for prayer that I could list this morning but time constrains me.

Continue the good work, dear intercessors!