Kids make a difference

There are few things more inspiring then children making a difference in the world. GFR has experienced this several ways. Two young children we know donated their piggy bank money for shoes and a mattress for their families in Rwanda. They were motivated simply by the photos of their families.

Then Community Christian Church’s Kids City has single handedly donated over $6000 for 3 homes to be built for orphans in Rwanda. These are kids ages Kindergarten to Fifth Grade. It is something that I think we as adults need to aspire to be; to be generous with our pennies and quarters each week faithfully.

And again this week we had an opportunity to visit with a High School Youth Group from Harvest Baptist Church. Ben and I were able to speak during a retreat they were having. I have to say, it was a very good group. They were asked to pray out loud and the prayers I heard were so sincere and heartfelt. Their hearts were tender to the message of poverty in Rwanda. This group has something special. TRULY! I can’t wait to see how God uses them in the future. Good job Pastor Matt!

As a group, they decided to sponsor an orphan family in Rwanda. I know that these orphans who are the same age as the high-schoolers and are without a home or piece of land will be blessed to know that their own peers are caring for them as guardians. WOW! What a powerful message of hope.

We were glad to be a part of motivating this great group of high-schoolers. I can’t wait to see them again!

Need to get away????

I have been thinking a lot about the upcoming summer trips to Rwanda. We just got a newsletter out talking about the opportunity. Somehow I can't seem to find the words about how invaluable this trip is!

I did an interview with Pam Haines about her experience last year. And I have many conversations with the other people who came. There is just something lost in the translation when I try to write about it!

Pam Haines couldn't explain her "family interview" experience. She told me she had expected to hear the sponsored families talking about what they bought, etc. But what she heard was far more than that. One woman said that she literally could not go out into society because she was naked. The dear woman teared up as she said she was grateful that she could be in community with others now. It was such a basic and elementary thing, and yet she was robbed of it for so long. Pam can't get the woman's facial expression out of her head. There are just no words to describe it.

Beyond family interviews, there is building houses, visiting families, helping in clinics, prayer and Bible lessons. But the most amazing part of most people's experience comes from our staff. We have such a wonderful group of people working with us in Rwanda. They make everyone feel so loved and comfortable. They teach us about forgiveness and generosity... through their very own experiences! We learn about Rwanda through the people who we work with... and there is SO much hope for Rwanda!!

Our families are committing themselves to giving to others who are needy, our staff have forgiven those who have taken so much from them and we get to participate in helping them help their country.

If you are considering coming with us to Rwanda and experiencing all this in person, please contact Ben at ben.pahlow@globalfamilyrescue.org You will come back a changed person emotionally and spiritually! If you "need to get away"... here is your chance!

We have still have some openings on these dates: June 1 -8, June 12-27, June 15-23, June 28-July 6, July 10- August 3 (3 week trip), and July 24-August 3 (Dates are subject to change by a day or two)!

Kansas is flat!

There really isn't a lot to see in Kansas. Did you know that? We had to drive over 2 hours to find a Target. And I thought Rwanda was desolate! I am grinning right now thinking about what Chris Miller is thinking about these comments! But before I go on, let me introduce to you First Baptist Church of Liberal, Kansas.

Besides having lots of cattle, Kansas has lovely people. We were welcomed warmly by the congregation in Kansas today. We were introduced to them through Layne and Joanne Glunt (one of our faithful family sponsors in Plainfield). Layne and Joanne have parents that attend here in Kansas and we were able to talk to their church today about our ministry. We ate a wonderful meal they had prepared (with fantastic brownies!), and told them about ourselves and GFR.

First Baptist has been supporting Silas and his family in Rwanda, as well as supporting our missionary staff. We were there to deliver a special message from Silas. He wrote a letter to thank them for their love and support. I was very moved by the letter because he said he is handicapped and had been struggling to feed his family but after he received the sponsorship he knew his family was going to be ok. Silas's family is going through a major transformation thanks to this church.

But I guess I can't help but talk about our 19 passenger plane that we flew in from Kansas City to Garden City. I mean, it had propellers!!! I am thinking right about now there are some pilots out there reading this and thinking, "what is the big deal?" I will tell you what! This thing was like a tin can on wheels! I swear the thing opened up at one point because I kept hearing air escaping! There was a SNOW and ICE storm going on! And the whirring of the propellers was so loud that I had to scream at Ben who was only 9 inches away.... ACROSS THE AISLE! The best part was seeing that we were the only ones on the plane with a 20 year old pilot! How did I order this on Priceline? I didn't know you could private charter a plane through that! I saw that it was "United Airways Express".... but sheesh! I was thinking of United's "Ted" planes!

I tell you what, you couldn't have convinced me that this was the kind of life I would lead 5 years ago. Everytime I think about how God keeps asking me to do crazy things, I want to do more! I used to shrink away from challenges and new experiences, but I am starting to look forward to them. As I experience new things, I begin to panic... my mind races with the thoughts of risk and "what if"? Things like, "What if Ben has another heart attack? What if I never see my kids again? What if I can't find the church?" There are so many questions, but somehow through all of it, I hear God say, "Trust Me." He is always asking me to stretch my faith and each time He does, I have to think back to how He has come through for me the last time.

Also, in telling our story of starting GFR, I was reminded today about where I have been and how far I have come. Every challenge in my life has led me to this ministry today. And I am so glad that God was preparing me through those times. I am a sinner that God has chosen to risk His reputation on. WOW! I can't believe that God wants to use me just where I am at... I keep thinking, "What is next!?" (Dave Ferguson would be so proud!) Because after being here today I know that God has more to do through me. I keep taking baby steps and He keeps leading the way.