Orphan Care Training in Rwanda

From June 13-23, our Saddleback Men’s Ministry sent out its first all-men’s PEACE trip to Rwanda. Eight men from two campuses made up the group that set out to accomplish several goals of our Daring Faith initiative.

Held in the capital city of Kigali, the PEACE team worked with churches in Rwanda to launch healthy orphan care ministries. The trip also focused on TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) in Kamonyi where the men were able to encourage adoptive parents of vulnerable children who are in need support.

Led by Saddleback Men’s Pastor, Tom Kang, the trip challenged and inspired men to take the lead for future PEACE trips. On a personal level, he wanted to experience one of Saddleback’s key ministries in our partnering country of Rwanda, and witness how members have helped shape an entire nation.

While all-women’s PEACE trips are nothing new, this inaugural men’s trip allowed the group to form a special bond through serving. As Saddleback member Trent Armstrong explains, “There is something unique and powerful when eight men sacrifice time and resources to travel around the world to be a part of something big that God is doing. Many people we spoke with were so encouraged just to see a group of men taking leadership together and setting a priority for the needs of the church.”

Throughout the 10-day trip, a level of vulnerability and accountability was formed between the men, Trent adds. Their example of leadership also spoke into the lives of people they encountered and served along the way.

One church in Rwanda— which was once an orphanage—recently adopted out all the children or reunited them with their families. The Saddleback Men’s team was able to come alongside this church’s new orphan care ministry and train them on how to foster adopted children. Through this successful event, local parents found renewed hope to care for their families.

During each meeting, the PEACE team prayed for families with disabled children, shared their own testimonies, and challenged men to be leaders of their families and communities by making church their priority. They also encouraged over a dozen pastors—many of whom have adopted children themselves—and shared God’s heart for the orphans.

Trent says the trip truly was an act of faith, since half their group was between jobs and some felt ill-equipped to lead. “Financially the trip did not make any sense,” he says. “There were missed flights, lost luggage, changed plans, and last-minute speaking requests, yet God showed up every time. We had our own plans and itineraries set, but God ultimately led this trip.”

This dependence on God allowed the men to focus less on the details and materialism, and more on building relationships. It also gave them a chance to reflect on Pastor Rick message that, “God does not call the equipped. He equips the called.”

Now back at home, PEACE trip members are using their new skills to serve adoptive families here at Saddleback and are hoping to lead future trips to Rwanda.

As Trent explains, “We can carry the torch and help send out more men’s groups on PEACE trips. This is our chance to be an example for the local church and for our families.”

To hear more about the first Saddleback Men’s PEACE Trip, or how to get involved, read Trent’s heartfelt story HERE.