As RCRI has grown, so has the number of missions teams that visit and partner with our ministry. These teams do everything from construction to volunteer/pastor training to Vacation Bible School, and come from all walks of life. The teams are multi/non-denominational, united by a love for Christ and a desire to serve the beautiful people of Rwanda. As 2018 winds down, the time has come to recap some of the work that these teams have done this year.
In June, a group of 14 left their homes in SC and Virginia to minister with RCRI in Rwanda. For some, this made the 7th trip to Rwanda. For others, it was their first time. During a period of 3 weeks, this team led “The Armor of God” VBS (based on Ephesians 6:10-18, written by one of the team members) in 4 different areas.
Volunteer leaders were trained in how to teach the curriculum and were encouraged in learning how to mentor children in their Saturday Kids’ Clubs.
The team spent a week at RCRI’s Nyabihu Christian Academy teaching, building shelves for a classroom library, and visiting in homes to encourage and pray with families. Many needy students were fitted with shoes (The Shoe that Grows). Last year, over 250 shoes were distributed on this team’s trip and 150 more shoes were taken this year.
In Kigali, the team spent 2 weeks teaching VBS, meeting with a teen girls’ group, visiting homes, working on minor construction projects, and fitting children with shoes. Around 100 students (in all areas where RCRI ministers) were thrilled to receive notes (and hear the translation) from their sponsors at Neely’s Creek ARP Church, Greenwood ARP church, and other churches around the Rock Hill area.
The theme verse this year was Romans 10:14-15 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.”