Rwanda Challenge
  • About Us
    • The Core
    • The Context
    • The Call
    • The Challenge
    • The Potential
    • The Team
  • Partner with Us
    • MACU-Rwanda Campus
    • RC - Emergency Fund
    • Support a Student
    • Reopen Churches
    • Kinyarwanda Study Bible
    • Microfinance Ministry
  • Contact Us
  • Recommended Resources
  • Calendar
  • Newsletters
  • Videos
  • Blog

"Let the little children come to me..." (Matt. 19:14)

6/17/2013

7 Comments

 
Picture
Some of the kids who joined us on stage during the church service. (There were more kids to the left and right of this picture.)
PictureChildren crowd around the church windows.
Yesterday, we were able to enjoy two worship services at two different local churches.  One of the church leaders that we taught last week is the pastor of both.  One is located inside a Congolese Refugee Camp, and one is located outside of the camp.  Because there have been frequent wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent years, many Congolese are not safe.  They have fled the DRC and now live in various refugee camps, one of which is the Nyabiheke Refugee Camp in the Eastern Province of Rwanda; this is where we will be teaching the next couple days.  There are more than 15,000 refugees in the Nyabiheke Refugee Camp.  The majority of them have little hope of living outside the refugee camp.  They receive some international assistance, but there are little resources inside of the camp. 

One of my favorite parts of yesterday was interacting with the many children at the churches.  When we arrived at the first church, children swarmed the car and then a group of them walked with us up to the church building.  As we were listening to the worship, I noticed that kids were crowded around the church doors and windows, but some of the adults were telling them to leave; there were no seats left for the children to sit, and they give priority to the adults.  I asked Theophile about this, as I was bothered that these children were being sent away from the church.  Jesus’ words were playing over and over in my head; “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).  That children were being hindered from coming into the church seemed so wrong.  As there were only five of us (Theophile, Frank, Ben, Denys, and I) sitting on a stage in front of the congregation, there was plenty of room for more people.  Theophile had me start bringing the children, who were standing outside the church, up onto the stage.  We ended up bringing almost fifty kids into the service by having them sit on stage with us.  Ben and I even ended up with a couple children on our laps.  What precious and beautiful children who were able to receive a glimpse of God’s truth and love as they listened to the worship and heard Frank preach.

Picture
My mom made me promise before I left that I wouldn’t adopt any children while I was over here.  That was probably a good promise to make, because if it were up to me, I’d bring fifty home with me.  Their smiles bring so much joy to my heart.  I am looking forward to playing soccer with these children tonight.    

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (Mark 9:37).      

                                          -Alison

7 Comments
Rhonda DeLong
6/16/2013 08:42:09 pm

Yes Alison, your momma knows you so well. I realize you took extra luggage, but no children are to come home with you. What a beautiful Father's Day gift you gave your Heavenly Father by inviting those children into worship. Praying continually!

Reply
Aunt Marcia and Uncle Tim
6/16/2013 10:29:56 pm

Oh Alison! Thank you for obeying The Spirit and swinging the door open for those children, as your Father is doing the same for you each day. Abigail is in the D.R.....you girls are so blessed to be used. Sending hugs!

Reply
Bethany Woodrow
6/17/2013 08:47:28 am

Love this post! So sweet. Praying for you and the rest of your time there.

Reply
Monica Shannon
6/17/2013 09:15:07 am

Lovely post and a nice description of the children, swarming around, peeking in the windows and doorways, wanting to be near the visitors. Thank you.

Reply
Hal Roth link
6/17/2013 10:48:54 am

I know you are learning and witnessing some amazing things during this trip. But if for no other reason than making a place for these children in the Lord's house, your trip was worth whatever the cost.

Reply
Christy Rink
6/17/2013 03:33:07 pm

What beautiful pictures - in words and with the camera! And how like what our Heavenly Father does for us as we peek our heads in the window and long to be sitting close to Him. He makes a place for us close to Him and sometimes we get to crawl up in His lap to sit, too. Thank you so much for sharing, Miss Allison. I have been so encouraged and uplifted by reading about your experiences and the way God is at work through you all.

Reply
Katie Dahm
6/24/2013 01:53:28 pm

Alison, I was brought to tears just reading this. God is doing such amazing things with you...I can't even imagine what else he has in store.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    November 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly