Thursday.
July 12, 2007Dear Family & Friends of Team Rwanda,
The past two days have been packed with incredible ministry opportunities. On Tuesday, the team went to the Kanombe Boys Home to paint the entrie interior of the house. With about 25 workers, the task was complteted in about 4 hours and it looks great.
I’ll admit that I originally thought that letting teenagers loose with little or no experience at house painting was a bad idea. I figured that most of the paint would bon on everything BUT the walls. Man, was I wrong! They did a great job…but its no guarantee that your child can do the same for your home. 
Later that afternoon, the team developed a community outreach program for the kids in the neighborhood. Once the strategy was in place, they gathered a crowd of about 80 community kids by playing soccer with them and singing praise songs. Then, a potential Tony Award performance of ‘David and Goliath’ with puppets was given with a rousing response from the audience. Mary Lawrence and Andrew Conner provided their personal testimonies and gospel presentation respectively.
When the invitation to accept Christ was given, 30 kids responded – WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
Yesterday morning, the team toured the Rwanda Genocide Memorial where the bodies of 259,000 victims are interred. It was a very sobering and emotional experience.
The team headed out at about 3:30pm to go to ANLM’s school in Kayonza for a Jesus film showing. The children loved the movie - they cheered when Jesus performed miracles and were upset when the Roman soldiers abused our Savior. Many children responded to the presentation of the Gospel – it was very exciting.
This trip has been wonderful; and every Mom and Dad can be proud of their student and the contribution that they are making to ‘Team Rwanda’. I am honored to serve with them.
God Bless,
Steve Holley
Wow! What a great report! God is certainly blessing your efforts.
Josh, you will be pleased to know that your Mom has beaten your Dad like a drum in some of our lessons. More importantly, our instructor is a Christian and has been praying for your team.
And, uhhh, you remember Heather’s old room? The paint and roller will be waiting for you.
You guys are making a difference. We are proud of you.
P.S. Your Mom wants you remind you to take your malaria pills, but I pointed out that Megan’s Mom already took care of that. So, when you see Megan take her pill, follow suit.
Wow! What a great report! God is certainly blessing your efforts.
Josh, you will be pleased to know that your Mom is beating your Dad like a drum in some of our lessons. More importantly, our instructor is a Christian and has been praying for your team.
And, uhhhh, remember Heather’s old room? The paint and roller will be waiting for you when you get back.
BTW, your Mom wanted to remind you to take your malaria pills, but Megan’s Mom has already taken care of that. So, when you see Megan take a malaria pill, just follow suit.
You are making a difference. We are proud of you.
What a blessing it is to find a new posting and see what you all are doing in Rwanda. Besides being busy, it’s neat to hear that you finding time with the children…soccer, etc. I know that’s your heart, Meg. We’re praying for you! I spent the day yesterday with the Cho children. They wanted to know where you were, Meg. They sure didn’t expect to hear “Africa” as the answer! We’ve had some hot days here..it’s probably cooler there. Holleys-Drew joined us for dinner on Monday. He’s doing well!
Love you, Meg. Go Rwanda team!!!!! Deshua
Paige,
I am sorry to hear that you are having problems. I hope that changing your pills will make you better and we are praying for you. Please have someone let us know how you are feeling. Continue to do the work that God has set for you and I know that will lift your spirits.
Yvette and the boys fly out tonight.
We all love and miss you!
Mom and Dad
Carley,
How exciting to hear all that you have been doing! I pray for you all throughout the day. I am praying for stamina as you serve our Savior!
Glad to hear that you all are learning a skill – painting is something that you will have to do throughout your life!
Dad, Matt and I are heading out today for Matt’s Orientation at Geneva. We will pick something up for you a Salvatories!!
We love you and miss you,
Love – Mom and Dad
hey guys!
Well, it sounds like God is giving everyone great ministry opportunities! I have been keeping up with the blog and am so excited for you all! It is, in a way, encouraging me for my trip to Ukraine. I am continuing to pray for you all and keep finding your strengh in God!!
ps. LOVE YA MEGS. keep it up, your hair looks great =)
Very exciting to read how God is using all of you! Can’t wait to hear more in person. Thank you for taking time with the blog, I love the pictures as well! Praying for all of you and the people you meet.
Katie- you got the dorms you wanted, Claudia’s name is on the message as well, and it’s a suite.(sweet!) Great location, too! Thanks be to God!
Glad to hear all is going well. Here is a real time question for Beth Anne. BRYC wants to know what your jersey number should be for the fall season. Can you let me know? Love, Mom
Ditto on the malaria pills.
So glad to hear of the blessings that God is giving our TEAM RWANDA! We are thinking of you and praying for you many times a day. Our love and continued prayers for all of you!
Love, Maribeth
Erin bug…………..
It is AR!!!
We are glad to hear all is well with you.
Lots of love and hugs,
A Randy
Erin Bug!
Its Mom! I miss you, but I know God is teaching you amazing things. How blessed you and your team are to see another part of the world that God created. Isn’t He amazing! I love seeing the photos of you and the team. I am still in FL visiting AR, and Grandma
sends you a big hug. I pray daily for you and the team that God will renew you daily, and transform you to the likeness of HIM.
ILY, Mommy
PS Tell Carley and Paige “Mommy Mackie” says hi!
Hi Elesa,
.
It was great to hear from you. We miss you very much
but we are glad you are there. I know God has a plan for you and His plan for you was to be in Rwanda at this time of your life. Praise God!!! Continue to shine for Him. Erica said Hi, she is home healing and oh py the way, I messed up my ipod
I am praying for you and the team. God Bless you all
Monika, was GREAT to hear from you.. know that you are MISSED big time. But so glad you’re there.. sounds like He is blessing in wonderful ways (kids coming to Christ) and that you’re seeing a side of life not many get to experience (some of it quite harsh). So looking forward to hearing all the details.. stay safe and be blessed. We love you muchisimo (not quite sure how to say that in Rwandan).. love, dad for all of us (mom’s at a conference, Chelsea in CR, Erik’s out and about, and Ian’s here with me – but all send their love)
Hello Paige,
Todays the big day. HAPPY SWEET 16!!! I am feeling a little selfish that you are not here. You only turn 16 once and that is a big occasion. I was glad to hear that you enjoyed the Safari. We miss you and can’t wait for you to come home. Enjoy the rest of your time over there and make sure you take in everything that you do and see. This is something that you will never want to forget, life changing. We love you and are praying for you daily.
Can’t wait to see you!
Tell everyone hello.
Love
Mom and Dad
Dalton and Paige
Erin,
I’m so grateful for you and the rest of the team for being the hands and feet of Jesus in Africa. I know you have all made life changing impacts on so many very needy children and that yuou will all be changed by the experience as well.
I laughed hard when I saw Sarah’s Pedro T-shirt had been given away as a gift. What a great use for that shirt.
Mom and J-man have returned to the roost. At one point last week we were all spread out from California to Florida, to Virginia, to Africa! We are praying for you and the team.
Love,
Dad
Holley family, We love hearing what God is doing through the team! Many are going to heaven because you are faithful to tell them the Way. Be sure we are praying for you through the day…especially for DVBS this week. ( We have friends in Rwanda, no idea where, and we emailed them of your being there.) Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear the stories. We miss you very much. Max is doing fine!
Love, Mom and Dad