​The last two days of our trip have been very full. Our ladies made gospel bracelets with the older children who then taught the younger ones. The women's co-op delivered the beautiful hand bags, blouses and aprons that we ordered. The guys put together the new charcoal briquette press and talked business plans in the morning. After lunch the EJO HEZA team built a portable charcoal kiln that can be taken into the fields. We left the village late after exchanging gifts and with tearful goodbyes.

Today was safari day. Besides the beautiful variety of creatures, we saw the more rare elephants and a leopard. We are back in Kigali this evening for a bit of shopping before flying out at 2 am. The picture below was taken at our favorite restaurant in Kigali, called Heaven :)

Posts like this cannot convey the extraordinary blessings that God poured out upon our team. Be sure to ask us about our journey in person so that you get the full effect of tone and body language. Sandy will probably dance for you. See you soon. Team Inzozi.

Too much fun! Today started with showers which are very welcome after last years drought. Our team ladies visited the church kitchen to help out with cooking--African style. Big knives and hot fires. We now have the secret recipe for the best cooked cabbage in the world.

The guys got right to work on the newest version of Ejo Heza’s ecological toilet. Creating something new that can save lives and help children thrive is great fun. Guys really like playing with tools.

We heard an amazing testimony today of God’s healing power. A widowed mother of seven children is the most vibrant dancer in the Gasarabwayi church. Some time ago she was diagnosed with cancer and was so weak she had to be physically carried by her friends. The church here had begun plans for her funeral and were making arrangements for the care of her children. The elders prayed over her and she was completely healed. Her doctors were astounded. After checking all of their notes they actually asked her, “Did your church elders pray for you?" She was overjoyed then and now to give all praise to Jesus, her healer. Tomorrow is our last day in the village and there is still much to do.

​Blessings from Rwanda.
Bruce Southerland

After a late breakfast that our interpreter Stephen called “blunch”, we took our time driving to Gasarabwayai stopping to take pictures of the beautiful countryside. In the valley there are rice fields and then open pasture for cows and goats. We had our picture taken under an iconic African shade tree that we called the “Inzozi Tree”. Once in the village we spilt up to accomplish several tasks. Sean and the Compassion representative prepared our video equipment for a party scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. We expect 300 children for a movie and snacks. Bruce and Stephen continued their “Ejo Haza” sanitation business planning. We women continued our conversations with the ladies co-operative. 

We not only learned about their pig farm but actually got to see 3 of the pigs which they buy ready to give birth then sell the piglets. These ladies also have a sewing business that includes one tailor (the only man in the co-op). We met some of the seamstresses and have ordered some blouses that should be ready before we leave. We could do none of this without our interpreter Peace (yes that is her name) I tell her we are following the way of “Peace”. 
They have recently experienced some hard times in the village. Because of a drought that lasted 6 months some of the co-op members had to move away. They are down from 60 members to just 26. The Gasarabwayai Church has a new pastor who has always lived there and previously served as an elder of the church. His name is Emmanuel and is a devoted man of God.

We do tend to draw a crowd when we are here. Today as we walked toward the town center we soon had a pack of children following and holding our hands. They practiced their English and walked with us back to the church. Tomorrow is Sunday and promises to be a very busy day full of singing, worship, and a fun time for the children. Thank you for your prayers. God is faithful.

Cathy Southerland

This is my first mission trip! I feel so blessed to be on this trip. God is doing so many good things through our friends in Rwanda. 

Today we went to the village.  On the way to the village I was mesmerized by the beauty of this country. 

It was a great day. The people in the village gave us a warm welcome. The choir sang and then Cathy Southerland shared with the congregation. There were so many children! They were the cutest kids and they were fascinated by us. One of the ladies told us that the kids refused to go to school because we were coming.

Sylvia, Cathy, Heidi and I met with the women's co-op today. My favorite part of the day was when our friend from Rwanda  named Rosa said "we are all the same, we are family".

Praising God for this day!
Praying for One in Rwanda.
Sandy Collins
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