Wild at Heart-Africa

The Real Travis!

Sorry Trav, I know you are going to get me back!

A GFR Family meeting

When we arrived at the family meeting, Pascal led the families in a delightful welcome song.

Travis and Cyp with opening greetings

Astrid, Jasmine, Isabelle, and Yaidah

Crowd shot

Can you find your family's face?

Over 200 families were represented today!

I am usually a little nervous speaking in front of people, but something happens when I am speaking to the GFR family. I can feel the Holy Spirit guiding me and leading my thoughts and words. I feel at home with these hearts.

God wanted me to speak about sharing and giving to those in need. I told them they were no longer the poorest of the poor. I shared the heart of Jesus with them, that they needed to be extra generous, and share above and beyond to show their neighbors, enemies, and strangers LOVE IN ACTION. In James 3, James talks about telling the poor person who comes in our church that we will pray for them and to go in peace, God bless you...and blah blah blah. All fluffy words. In Corinthians, Paul says with out love, we are just a clanging gong. So I told them it is not just the Muzungu's resonsibility to sacrificially give, but that they can in their own ways, be it a baby goat, some eggs, a chicken, a baby pig, or lamb, or maybe some extra beans from their harvest...to show the Love of Christ through generosity to others.

The crowd listened well, and at times said outloud, yes we need to do this.

After speaking to them about tithing to their local church, and sharing with their neighbors, I called up the Pahlow Children Theater Team...

The Pahlow Children Theater team

Hope represented the sponsored family by sucking a Tootsie Pop in front of her siblings, Nate and Amber (Michael was home with Melody because he had an ear infection!) She went on and on how yummy this sucker was.

Then Amber and Nate begged for just a small smackeral of sweetness. I told them this represented their neighbors secret thoughts, if not already made known outloud.

Then I pointed to Hope and said "ICKISOMBO" (spelling is probably way off) which means "selfish or greedy" and the whole crowd laughed outloud.

Then Hope pulled out some extra items and gave it to her brother and sister...A simple story with a powerful impact.

Let's wipe out jealousy completely!

Travis Speaks

Travis got up to tell the families that we could not do this without their help and committment.

Stand up and show your committment

We then asked each person who would committ to asking God who they need to help and show the Love of Christ to, to stand and take a vow to be salt and light.

The silent argument

Ouimanna and I kept fighting over who should hold the umbrella for who...one of those "good fights"

Its SOZO TIME!

Travis ended the meeting with "place your hand on the part of your body that needs healing, if you are bitter or sad, or broken hearted put your hand on your heart.

If you have physcial pain, put your hand on your pain and believe that God will heal you"

It was really amazing to see everyone's pain, and the faith these people had.

New Hires

Today I had many favorites...let us see, opening brand new bank accounts was high on my list...

But...hiring new Rwandiful people too! This is too much! This is Emerith