It was great to connect with you guys today! I can’t tell how how much good it does for us to just know that we’re in contact with you guys. We have had some exciting moments and some very solemn moments today.
We started out in the radio station at 6:00 preaching to the entire nation of Rwanda. Then ron, Zachary and I went to three different churches and preached. Fourteen people got saved in the church where ron preached! This whole mission ron and I have been praying for the harvest even if we don’t see any of it, but He allowed us to see some fantastic results today! It’s so amazing to see Him work here in this beautiful and very torn country.
After lunch, we went to the main genocide memorial here in Kigali. Unbelievably sobering. You go through this exhibit, and it walks you through the entire genocide complete with VERY graphic photos. Then you go into this dimly lit circular room that is full of actual skulls and bones – and a soft recorded voice is reading name after name of the people who were killed. Then you go upstairs which is entirely dedicated to honoring the children who were killed. You would see a large picture of a two-year old playing and underneath it would read:
Name: Jean Okoye
Age: 2 years
Favorite Food: lentils
Best Friend: Mommie
Personality: fun-loving
Method Of Death: hacked by machete
Finally we walked outside where 250,000 people were buried. It was all large concrete mass-graves. One had a 10’ x 10’ lid, and one of the mourners asked to have it removed, and we just happened to be there. We moved the lid back and saw about 100 wooden caskets just thrown in piles in this grave about 50 feet deep. Such a horrific tragedy. Then we got ready to leave, but our driver was late. But while we were waiting in the parking lot, and influx of cars came all at once. The head of the senate of Rwanda was the first to get out, and since gilbert (our Rwandan contact) is in the government, we got to meet him. We asked what was going on, and they had just found a new body this week, and they were coming to honor it and to put it in that open grave. They found a body from thirteen years ago! i later found out that they usually find about one body per week. We left there with a very heavy heart.
Later, I addressed and sang to a mass of Rwandans in this open-air crusade, but we couldn’t stay because it was nearing 6:00 which is when we had to get back to the hotel to go live to cbc.
Tomorrow we distribute the water. Please pray for us as we have discovered many complications concerning the water distribution, but we believe God will make a way. This is a direct mission of cbc – we will be handing clean water to people on your behalf. Praise God for this amazing opportunity. We have many more things to do tomorrow, so please continue to pray for our strength which is rapidly winding down.
We love you guys, and can’t wait to see you next week!
-clark
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8 comments:
Thank you for the excellent description of what you saw today. It is very helpful. We will continue to lift up the whole nation of Rwanda, and I look forward to being able to pray for it even more and even better after you guys get back. We prayed alot for your water distribution today. God will allow what He desires to happen. He is HUGE! (at least that's what Clark Terry tells me, or is that Max?) Anyways, it was amazing once again to see you guys on the screen today. We could hear you even better than last week. Thanks for wearing the polo this time, Clark. It made me much more comfortable -not (that's a word that the guys and I decided to bring back at the kampout the other day). And we did get a short glimpse of the mountains you were talking about, too. Beautiful. We're looking forward to your return. And it was the Cavs who won game 3, just as a correction. They are up 3-0. I can't wait to learn a couple of words in a new language. So, if you guys don't remember them, maybe write one or two down for me. We can put 'em on the wall on the office. See you both soon.
I just read all the updates and I am at a lost for words. Your in our prayers and we have faith that God will show you the way for the water distribution issues. In fact we know it will go the way God intended it to go- for He sees the whole picture and after all it's God's perfect plan that you are there.
Annie called Pat today while she was still at the retreat and told us all about the incredible news that 14 people got SAVED! Praise God! We all celebrated and delighted in the news. Pat also got Ron's message that he loves her. (So sweet)
The retreat was fantastic. I have a video of Bird performing with Amy, Cara and Leah! Bird and the others out did themselves. There was a great since of unity within the group and a lot of love shared between all of us.
You both have very special wives who love you dearly. They are so in awe that the two of you are able to go on this journey.
However, Ron - there is a sweet little doggy who is missing his daddy! We tried to love on him, even Johnny, but it wasn't his daddy. Slinky is however, putting on a brave front for mommy!
Tricia and Johnny
What an awesome blessing it was to see you both this morning. It was also an answer to prayer to hear that God is moving in the hearts of the Rwandan people as he is calling them to himself. Once again, thank your for your obedience to the Lord has called you two too. We love you both and continue to pray that the Lord will place his arms under yours and carry you through the days ahead until you return home.
Tim
Man clark, thanks for the detailed posts and, as Tim said, for your obedience. We'll still be battling for ya'll in prayer--keep us updated with specific things to pray for. In other news, I've emailed you, but I don't know if you've got access to that. If you can check your email, blink twice. I can't wait for ya'll to get back to hear about all God has done in you and through you. I should be home in a couple of weekends, so we should try to chill sometime.
Chris
Brad and I are really missing you two and are very proud of all that you have accomplished in God's power. Bridget is a little overwhelmed with all that she's trying to accomplish this week and is SOOOOO excited that you will be returning.
We look forward to you both coming home. We wish you fun and relaxation in Egypt and pray that you are not too tired to enjoy it. Safe travels home to us!!
NBA playoffs update for Clark - Mavs lose game 4 (they are down 3-1). Cavs win game 4 and sweep the Wizards. LeBron scores 31. They await the winner of the Nets-Raptors series. That is all. Wait, no it's not - Rebecca and I are having a boy!!! Thought you guys would like to know. We saw him this afternoon on a sonogram. Now, that is all.
Thank you for sharing the bitter with the sweet. How much more are we able to see and savor the beauty of God's provision, protection and grace, when we catch glimpses (ie, through you) of what life is like (seemingly) without it? And yet, God's grace is present, even in the horrific episodes of man's assault upon another, even upon children. For, instantaneously, those children were enveloped by Jesus, and their everlasting joy (as Benji reminded us recently) will make their sufferings --even their sufferings--seem microscopically small in comparison to the eternal joy they will share in the presence of God.
I enjoyed getting to know Bridgett a little better at the retreat. It was especially fun to watch her performance as a "Cheetah girl." And we could tell Pat was really missing you, Ron, because she seemed significantly quieter than usual.
Looking forward to seeing your pictures and hearing you describe what it is like to see the Spirit of God literally move a mass of people....
And continually praying for you, and frequently sending requests to the Father to send you what I call "Spirit Hugs."
With Love, in Christ,
servant
Thanks for keeping us updated on your trip. I've printed out your postings from this week to share with the guys out at Seagoville who have been faithfully praying for both of you. They are anxious to hear all about your trip and how God has been using you as instruments for His Glory! Can't wait to see the both of you!
Sue
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