Dear Family & Friends,

What comes to your mind when you hear Rwanda?  For many the movie “Hotel Rwanda” introduced them to the horror which was the 1994 Rwandan genocide.  But few know the story of God’s work in Rwanda during the last 15 years.  Today, it is safer to walk through the streets of Kigali, Rwanda than through Portland, OR.

New vibrant churches are rising up, orphans and widows are gaining vocational skills and turning to Christ. Many of the killers have come to Jesus in prison and reconciled with the family members of those they killed. God is on the move… In February of 2009 the Multnomah student body took on the challenge of creating a college library for Rwanda Evangelical School of Theology (REST) opening in January 2011.  Currently the library stands at 13,500 books with a goal of 15,000.

I was asked to help co-lead a student team to minister in Rwanda and represent the student body at the dedication of the Bible college and library.   We are called the Multnomah Kigali Konvey Team and I’m thrilled to be co-leading the seven students selected to go.  We will be ministering under Africa New Life founded by a Multnomah graduate, Charles Mugisha Buregeya  and our co-leader is their executive director Fred Katagwa.  Our trip is June 7-23, 2010.

This trip is a dream come true for me.  I was on my way to Africa to help start an African seminary with Byang Kato before coming to Multnomah. Then Byang tragically died in a swimming accident.  I love ministering with students so this will be a perfect match.  This trip may be part of God’s direction for what I should do after retiring.  I have done much research on Rwanda and the 1994 genocide and my heart is already hungering to be a part of God’s bright future for this traumatized nation.  For me, it doesn’t get any better than Africa, Teaching, Students and Bible College

We need your prayer and financial support to make the trip possible.  Would you consider supporting our team? I need to raise $3,500 total for expenses.   Your prayers and gifts will allow us to preach in churches, teach in schools, testify in Kigali homes and minister to hundreds of Kigali street kids.

G

To support me please write a check (tax deductible) to Africa New Life (8625 SW Cascade Blvd, Suite 260, Beaverton, OR 97008)   Don’t put my name on the check, but add a note saying it is for Garry Friesen.

On-line giving is possible by clicking the “Multnomah Kigali Konvey” team.  http://www.anlm.org/     Then you must send an email saying you are giving for my support <laura@africanewlife.org>