ENJOYING THE JOURNEY

Dear Family and Friends,

March 2011 marks 18 years that the Jenkins clan has been in Africa. So much has changed since our initial arrival at the Entebbe, Uganda airport. Dave remembers the wires holding light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and thinking, “What on earth have we gotten ourselves into?” We’ve made lots of friends and collected many experiences.

Our life in Africa has not been without struggle, but there is something delightful in our journey here. Our experiences have been so much like Joseph’s as we exclaim, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. (Genesis 50:19-21. The Message.)


Last month a conman was using our blog to mislead innocent New York apartment seekers. We sent out a message to warn family and friends. In the process our blog had its busiest month. Also, the conman reminded us of the reasons we so much enjoy Rwanda. We choose Rwanda and choose to invest in her leaders. (To read more check out our blog at http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2011/03/choose-rwanda-choose-leadership.html)

When we were in graduate school at Abilene Christian University, Gailyn Van Rheenen remarked that for many missionaries it takes about 7 years to adapt and find one’s niche. That was our Uganda experience of discovering a niche in ministering to “thought leaders.” It also seems like after almost 6 years in Rwanda we are now starting to find the niches where we are most fruitful.

This month we ask for your prayers about the following matters:

1. Dave has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity for the last 7 weeks to lecture on Ethics at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). He was surprised at the number of students (over 625) in his five classes. We took this as an abundant answer to our prayer for CCR to develop a campus ministry. While lecturing the issue of the day became ghost students. Now Dave needs wisdom to properly address the issue of ghost students with academic authorities. We ask your prayers for wisdom.

2. CCR will launch our second worship service called Umutoni on Sunday, 6 March. We are as nervous as expectant parents. Our minds are racing and it seems we’ll never be ready. May God go far beyond us. May He prepare seekers to come. May His glory be seen in this new birth. (To remember our birth announcement check out: http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2011/02/were-expecting.html)


3. We’re now in the countdown mode for Sophia’s graduation. We can’t believe she’ll soon be off to university. We still have many unknowns from where she will attend school, to how we’ll pay for her education, to how we’ll survive without her in our home. We ask your prayers as God leads our family through this transition.

4. Jana last week traveled to Nairobi to research Transitional Babies Homes. Next week, she and Sophia will be in Kampala researching Uganda’s Transitional Babies Homes. We sense that God desires for CCR to take a leap forward in faith to be a facilitator of the De-institutionalization of Rwanda’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children. May God give us abundant wisdom.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement which sustain our family and ministry.

Imana ikurinde (May God Stay with All of You),


Dave and Jana