Apples for Africa

Sharon made it back safely and adjusted very quickly. Sharon has not rested in her endeavors regarding convictions from God especially concerning the Apple Project. I know she will be sharing more about this very soon as well as other projects that God has convicted her to initiate and implement.

Shawn

"Expect Great Things From God; Attempt Great Things For God" William Carey

Sharon has been waiting for the last couple of weeks for a meeting with the Agriculture Minister concerning the apple tree project. She was waiting patiently for a hearing traveling to the ministry each day with interpreter and friend. God opened the door and she is now moving forward with the next steps. She told me today that she has a permit in hand to grow the trees. Now for even greater news, Sharon was informed a few days ago that a German man had planted apple trees in the Cyangugu area where she was at recently. Supposedly there are many trees and the land is plentiful. Keep praying asking God to guide, protect and keep her safe! I know she deeply cares for everyones prayer.

Shawn

The following is an email that Sharon sent me today:

I am going today to the ministry for 2 things, to get the permit that I have sought since I have arrived and then to give a proposal to them so we can obtain land in the Northern province. When I was talking to Eric at the Ministry, he's in charge of production, he asked why I am having such a small project? I told him because we don't have enough land for a larger one, but I wanted to plant in Cyangugu and the North. He asked me had I been to the north and I said yes, that the soil there would be great. He said that when the people came back after the genocide they completely stripped the forest that was there so they could plant crops and now there are problems with deforestation and erosion. I told him that this project would help with the deforestation and erosion. It would also help with having income for the villagers and a crop that would provide food for the area and beyond. I am taking the proposal to him today, I am asking that they offer the land for this project. Can't hurt to ask right. We get 100 percent of what we never ask for, which is nothing! I told Fidele that I always think to small and God's plan always expands my thinking. We will visit the place that the German had before the genocide, no one knows that the trees have to be stripped every year so they have been sitting there, we will ask for that land to be offered as well. I hear it's a big place. I am excited to find out how many trees that there are on that land. We can go from what ever is there and expand. I am going to visit the US embassy today as well. I want to see it, it was not complete the last time I was here.

Sharon

I gave Papias, Fidele and Jean Marie the apples that I brought from US. They each had 3 and ate them right then. They were so happy, it was such a nice surprise for them.

Compassion Children

The Compassion team with all the children, left to right. Elysee, Egide and Aline. This was a very special day for me, I enjoyed talking with the children and I gave each of them a post card, in their bag of toys, that had pics from OK. One was an armadillo, bison and a beautiful sunset. It was the armadillo that they were fascinated with the most. They were shy at 1st but warmed up a bit.

Struggles and Encouragement

8/14/2008

I went yesterday (wed) to teach at Jean Marie's church, it was great. I think that was the largest amount of older people I have seen in all of Rwanda. Lots of widows! God put it in my heart to teach on struggles and encouragement. I got so many hugs from the women afterwards.

Sharon


8/12/2008

I met a man last night while waiting on Jean Marie, he has 8 Americans coming to the place where I am staying, this week. He asked what I am doing here, then he asked me if I would help them teach....agriculture to a village. God really has a sense of humor. I never imagined using my degree this way. He said we connected with the heart cause I talked to him about Jesus and he is saved. People here don't ask if you are a Christian, but are you saved? He will come back and talk with me when the Americans come. I also met a woman who speaks very good english and she asked if we could be friends, of course I was thinking at that point we already are, so I said of course!

Sharon

Banda Island

Family that had their home damaged in the earthquake we had the pleasure to pray for her and her family.










Preparing for the boat ride to Banda.

Our boat ride to Banda Island.










Boys at the stream that were going to swim in Banda.


Baby King, he is Jean Maries son, one of my friends and interpreter.

God's Providence

We are in Butare, arrived today at about 4pm. The orphanage that I mentioned previously was started by a woman who's husband died and my understanding is that she had no children. She started it in 1989 with 4 children. In 1994 she had 400 and they came to kill her during the genocide, they shot at her 6 times, no bullets hit her, God was protecting her. They went away scared saying that she was not human. There are now 4 of these homes for orphans. None of these children have a chance to be adopted they are educated by the home and then go out into the world on there own. When we were there there are 3 sets of twins, one set the mother died in child birth and the father has not come to see them not once, they are babies. The biggest concern is for milk since they only have 3 milk cows and need about 10 just to provide for the children that are on milk. We were on an island in lake Kivu where the most of the damage from the earthquake was. We meet the executive (Governor) he was telling us about 400 families were affected. His house was completely destroyed, he too is living in plastic sheeting. We went to the area where Fidele and Papias parent live and took many pictures of the damage. One woman is about 65 or so is living under a temp home that leaks when it rains and she is taking care of 2 orphans, under 3 yrs old, from her daughter dying. This really is staying with me, I want so badly to help. I will try to send pics tomorrow, I am now closer to Internet for a day or so.

Sharon

Orphanage

Note from Sharon:

We went to the orphanage today and there are 320 children, I will tell you more about that later.

God is Great

Problems with travel arrangments however perseverance and much, much prayer overcame the difficulty. I want to deeply thank my prayer warriors. Keep praying!!

Mission Dates: July 24, 2008 thru September 3, 2008

This boys face shines brightly the light that is within him, as the tiny country of Rwanda shines as a light of hope for the rest of Africa.

Kigali, Rwanda

Rwanda, means land of a thousand hills. This tiny country is smaller than Oklahoma and has 9 million people. I am scheduled to arrive July 26th. Thank each one of you for your prayers!

Your First Post

Hi Sharon!

Here's your Blog.... I know your trip to Rwanda will go very well and God will send His Spirit before you as your guide. Have a wonderful, fulfilling trip. I'll be checking your blog for posts and pics!

--David