Last Days

I can’t believe it! Only two more workdays left before we have to leave Musanze…and they are going to be packed!

The sheep shed is really starting to take shape – truly amazing how hard this team has worked to make it happen! It’s going to be so nice – actually better than a lot of houses here. It will be so great to leave Musanze knowing that our sheep will be have a great place to stay dry and take care of their lambs. I have personally been so blessed to see the many hands that continue to touch this place to make it the beacon in this community that we have prayed for. It has changed so much since 2008 but has also changed so much just this week.

Our two South African rams are making their selves at home on the property and we have finally chosen the appropriate names… Samson and Solomon. They are really beautiful animals but it has been kind of difficult for some of us to bond with them…be sure and ask Jaimy about his relationship with Samson. Can’t wait for our Kenyan ewes to meet them!

We know that in a few months it will be important to have a larger piece of property to keep the majority of our flock on. Today Thomas and Evariste (our shepherd) took Rachel and I a little further outside Musanze to show us a beautiful piece of property they have found that is for sale – 5 times the size of the one we currently own and will build our office on. Only problem is it has no access by vehicle just yet. It is close to the main road so we are praying that one of the landowners between the main road and this property will be willing to sell also. We hope to know something by the time we leave Rwanda. It is very difficult to find large pieces of property here so we are prayerful this will be an option for TVM.

Please do continue to pray for the team as we prepare to complete the shed and head back to Kigali. I am so grateful for all those who prayerfully support this ministry. I wish you could all know the impact it is having on 15 beautiful women and their families.

Blessings,

Diana

Supporting the Shepherd

At last I am able to take a few minutes to update our blog. Again sorry to all of those waiting to hear from the team…communication has been challenging to say the least!

The ladies are more beautiful than ever and it is so good to see them all so full of joy! The team finally was able to meet them on Monday morning and there was quite the celebration! Equally as exciting was getting to meet the five new widows; Marina, Perusi, Jacqueline, Felecite and Belancila. They are learning so fast and have been very well received by the original ten! It is such a miracle to look at all of them busy at work as they sing and take care of each other. I love my job!

We are so thrilled to be preparing to receive 20 merino ewes from Kenya in the next couple of weeks. They will join 2 South African rams already residing on our property here. Naturally, we expect our flock to be flourishing in about 5 months! However, it has become quite apparent that we will need more sheep as soon as possible and more land before this time. This is definitely a prayer request!

Our goal is to get a shed/shelter for the sheep by next Monday or Tuesday. The pen is approximately 28’ x 12’, with a concrete foundation, 3 doors and skylights! I’m sure it will be the best sheep pen in all of Africa! I’m told it would be a great pen in Texas – so that works for me! We hired some local folks to build and pour the floor and this first stage should be finished by tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile most of our team has been focusing on further securing the fence that last summer’s team built around the property.

A few of us, on the other hand, have been expanding our “core-competency” by trying to determine the best method for cleaning this beautiful wool which does not really start out so “beautiful”. Actually it is pretty disgusting and I was told that washing “sheep poo” out of the fleeces was not in the True Vineyard Ministries documentation anywhere. We’ll have to work on that… Clearly it’s going to be a needed skill-set for any TVM employee or volunteer!

Tonight, my friends Jock and Max (Team Rwanda) took the team to Virunga Lodge, which sits high upon a mountain that overlooks some of the most amazing views of the seven volcanoes and area lakes. I had never been there and it was just gorgeous and such a wonderful and deserved treat for all of us. Wow! So amazing to see how many details God put into his creation. So cool to know he is who created us too!

As always, I am blessed to have a team that is so knowledgeable about so many things like fences and leading worship (KP Rocks) and so surprised to watch our 73-year old teammate, Janette thoroughly beat Rachel and me in arm wrestling... Sweet, sweet Tammy is keeping me centered and Jaimy is keeping the group on task. Please continue to pray for a spirit of cooperation and for lives to be changed over our time here! Thank you for your continued prayers!

Blessings,

Diana

Here and Well!

Friends,

So sorry for the very late post! Internet has been scarce and I was locked out of the blog until just now!

Just letting everyone know we are all doing great and that I will post a big update tomorrow!

Blessings!

Diana