Today was Compassion Day! We started the day by having breakfast with our sponsored children. We then went to a soccer field and played a game with them. We exchanged gifts, threw frisbees, and ended up having an amazing soccer match against a local high school team. It was a blast! We 'won' 6-4 but I think that they were being nice to us! The coolest thing is that the team was able to bring 8 suitcases full of balls, cleats and uniforms, to leave with our church partner, to distribute throughout the area.
While we were playing the soccer game, the rest of our team was having a great time playing and connecting with their sponsored children and others in the community.
After lunch, we went to the Child Survival Program that our church has sponsored for the last 4 years, through Compassion. We were warmly and loudly welcomed by dancing mothers and children! We received a report and update on all that God is doing at the Center. I am telling you--- this place is amazing! It is all about empowering the people in this area. This is our third fourth visit here and we have seen the impact that just continues to multiply. After being taught nutrition, health and child-rearing ideas, the Center's mothers then go out into the community and share all they are learning. We had an awesome 4 hours there!
When we returned to the Riverside Hotel, Bishop Edward and Mama Vasta were there. We had a sweet time! The rest of the eveningwas spent with them, with our sponsored children and with the 5 LDP students who came with us.
God is doing an amazing work through Compassion! From the Child Survival Program, to the Child Development Centers, to the Leadership Development Program. They are indeed freeing children from poverty in Jesus name and empowering them to impact their nation. I can not think of a stronger partner to work with than Compassion! We have been so blessed by their staff, ministry and our partnership. We can't wait to share all the details of our time with the kids and this trip with you all.
Tomorrow we leave Rukingiri and head south to Kigali before starting the trek home on Wed. Please keep praying for us. Pray that the team will remain as strong and awesome as it has been thus far. We love you all.
Ian
