Saddleback Women Pray: Trip to Rwanda

Saddleback Women PRAY: Prayer Guide for Rwanda PEACE Trip

15 Day PEACE Trip: May 1-15, 2018

Team Members: Team Members: Tristen, Araceli, Wendy, Nancy, Carol (co-leader), Ora Lee (co-leader) on IPad, Tami

Thank you for your willingness to pray for our women who are going on this PEACE trip to Rwanda. Our women's team will work through our Rwandan PEACE Center in Kigali (the capital) to be sent out to local churches for “vision casting” that are currently looking at expanding or developing ministries and support groups for HIV/AIDS Healthcare and Orphan Care. Much has been done in conjunction with previous Saddleback PEACE teams in the Western Province so “vision casting” will involve encouraging and training more local churches in other areas.

The PEACE Plan Motto: Ordinary people, empowered by God, making a difference together, wherever they are.

The team will be maintaining a strong prayer focus as they actively engage in prayer for the opening of hearts to embrace and understand God’s heart for the orphans and those living with HIV/AIDS. Team members will prayer walk, pray in churches with pastors and church members, and pray with local believers as they visit them in their homes. Teaching opportunities will be arranged for team members to conduct Parenting Training, especially for children who have experienced trauma, HIV/AIDS Healthcare Training, and Orphan Care Training.

Saddleback Women PRAY Director and Co-Leader on this trip, Carol Pecaitis, shared these goals:

- Pray “in country” for the Lord’s vision for these local churches

- Encourage local church leaders to embrace God’s heart for the orphan and those living with HIV/Aids

- Promote local church members to become volunteer leaders to assist in the vision

- Provide training for beginning orphan care, parenting training and HIV/AIDS healthcare training and support groups

- Listen and minister to local believers during visits in their homes and come alongside in prayer

- Model by example how God uses ordinary people to have a ministry in the church and a mission in the world

Prayer Focus before their trip: Pray in agreement as they prepare to go…

The team has been preparing since February and going through the Saddleback Church PEACE Plan Mission Training Manual. This has included training for teaching local churches about Orphan Care and HIV/AIDS Healthcare. They have gone through Prayer Training with the director of Saddleback Women PRAY, Carol Pecaitis, who is also the visionary for gathering this team together to go. Recently, they fasted together as they have been going through a daily devotional, Before You Go: Forty Days of Preparation for a Short Term Mission, by Jack Hempfling. The team has listened to the Lord’s heart who said, “Whom shall We send, and who will go up for Us?” to which each team member has replied, “Here am I, Lord, send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

Be consistent each day in setting aside a specific time to pray from now until they return.

Be sensitive of the Holy Spirit’s promptings or as Pastor Rick recently taught “nudgings”. He may alert you just when a prayer covering is needed. It will usually be an urging in your spirit as He brings the team to mind, an impression, or a Bible verse that He wants you to bring before Him in believing prayer!

Be more informed about these signature ministries of our Church by going online:

http://hivaidsinitiative.com/initiative/whatwedo/

http://orphancareinitiative.com/

Earlier this month Pastor Rick spoke at the Rwanda Cultural Day hosted by Saddleback Church. He stated that to date 2,230 members of Saddleback Church have gone on PEACE trips to Rwanda. After this, he declared that it is time to send what he called “the second wave” over the next three to four years! He is believing for 4,000 or more to go or go again as part of this wave. Next, he prayed a prayer of blessing that “out of the defeat and despair rising in hope and the blessing of living on purpose Rwanda is an example to the whole world.” This women’s team will be the first team to go following what Pastor Rick declared as the second wave!!!!

Prayer Focus as they depart: Pray in agreement for peace and protection...

Lord, we agree based on Your Word for the team to “be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to let their requests be made known to You” (Philippians 4:6-7) trusting that Your “peace that surpasses all understanding will guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We agree in prayer that You will guard their hearts and minds and protect them for these concerns:

- travel to and from Rwanda and daily “in country” travel with their drivers and interpreters

- the team’s safety and security and protection of their families back home while they are gone

(4 team members have concerns for children still living at home)

- adjustment to the climate, culture, and conditions and good health

- freedom from illness (especially food, water, and insect-borne illnesses) and injury

- daily devotions, unity and fellowship with one another, evening debriefings and refreshing sleep

Pray God’s Word in united and believing prayer for the team…

“We pray that our God may make (the team) worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power so that the Name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in (the team), and (the team) in Him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” II Thessalonians 1:11-12

Daily Itinerary and Focused Prayers: You may also want to record your prayers and impressions from the Lord.

DAY 1 Tuesday, May 1 - The team leaves from Orange County to Rwanda departing mid-morning. They will have three connecting flights in route. Rwanda is 9 hours ahead of our time and currently has 12 hours of daylight and mild temperatures.

Prayer Focus: God’s Protection and Power “Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12

Pray for good connections and all luggage will make it through to Kigali, Rwanda.

DAY 2 Wednesday, May 2 – Travel continues as the team changes flights to arrive at night in Kigali.

Prayer Focus: God’s Presence and Promise “We pray Your promise that Your presence will go with them, and that You will give them rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

Pray specifically for Mary who is making all the arrangements for the team. She serves as Rwandan Saddleback staff member for the Rwandan PEACE Center in Kigali. Mary has planned the team’s daily itinerary for all the churches they will connect with to share the vision for Orphan Care and HIV/Aids Healthcare with the goal of expanding these ministries and support groups into more churches. She is a strategic servant of the Lord!

We agree in prayer and “thank You God for all of our brothers and sisters in Rwanda and especially for Mary. Help us in the following days to continually mention them and our team in our prayers. We remember before You our God and Father “their work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. For we know, these brothers and sisters and our team are loved by You God, that You have chosen them!

( I Thessalonians 1:3-4)

DAY 3 Thursday, May 3 – The team will meet today with Mary for orientation. Pray for their unity in spirit and prayer and strategizing time together. They will also visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial http://www.kgm.rw/ . The website states, “the Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 259,000 victims of the Genocide, as well as a place of solace for survivors and reflection for visitors.” Pray for the team. As you can imagine, this will be a sobering experience.

Oh Lord, You promise that You are near to the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 37:18)

Note: From this point in the prayer guide, we will be praying in unity with what the team is praying. Their daily schedule will be visiting churches and homes in the region.. We anticipate that they will also be asked to teach training materials they are bringing for establishing HIV/Aids Healthcare, Orphan Care, and Parenting ministries and support groups in the local church. Certainly, they will be able to pray with many as they meet in churches and visit homes. We will use the prayer prompts that the team has developed and are taking with them that is based on the Saddleback Church PEACE Plan developed by Pastor Rick and Kay: The CHURCH Strategy and God’s Heart for the ORPHAN. These are in the form of acronyms that will encompass the vision they are praying the local churches and members in the churches will embrace to begin ministries and support groups. We will also praise the Lord each day using one of His Names in agreement with the team. Here are our overarching prayers for them daily:

“We ask as they teach they will revere Christ as Lord in their hearts and be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks them to give a reason for the hope they have as they do this in gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15

“Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being from God]. We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers; recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you!” (I Thessalonians 1:1-4 Amplified Bible)

DAY 4 Friday, May 4

Praise Focus: El Roi, God who sees me (Genesis 16:13-14) Praise to You, the God who sees our team and those they will meet each day. You are the One who opens eyes to see You just as You opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw Your provision!

Prayer Focus: The CHURCH Strategy: C = Care for and support the sick

Oh God who sees, help the local churches to “comfort those who are frightened; and take tender care of those who are weak.” (I Thessalonians 5:14b LB) May they obey Your command envisioning and embracing their calling to care for and support those who are sick in their communities, especially those who have HIV/Aids. Raise up church members who will offer physical and emotional care in homes.

Prayer Focus: ORPHAN Care: O = Open your eyes to God’s heart for the orphan

Father, Your Word says that “pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27) Open the hearts of local church members to see and feel Your heart.

DAY 5 Saturday, May 5

Praise Focus: Jehovah Shalom, God of peace (Judges 6:16-24) Praise to You, Lord God who is our Peace and You help us to become peacemakers as we follow You. May these local churches be distribution centers of practical care that will help people and for this to become a bridge for You for salvation and reconciliation.

Prayer Focus: The CHURCH Strategy H = Handle HIV testing and counseling

Father, help local church members volunteer and be trained to give medical, emotional, and family counsel to those receiving results from their testing. Help them know that they “obey the law of Christ when they offer each other a helping hand. (Galatians 6:2 CEV)

Prayer Focus: ORPHAN Care: R = Rely on the family as God’s hope for the orphan

Oh God of peace, You have brought peace to the country of Rwanda that we are praying will continue and flourish. Bring hope to orphans as the local church members embrace solutions for taking orphans into their own families since 1 out of every 10 are orphaned in Rwanda since the genocide. “For in You the fatherless find compassion.” (Hosea 14:3)

Day 6 Sunday, May 6 The team will worship with fellow believers in church today! May God’s Power be displayed, the church and the team be replenished and the Good News shared - “But thanks be to You God, who will lead the team and the church there in triumphal procession in Christ and through them spread everywhere they go the fragrance of the knowledge of You.” II Corinthians 2:1

Praise Focus: Immanuel, God is with us (Matthew 1:22-23) Praise to You, Lord Jesus that You were called Immanuel because You were born to save us and You are with us and with our team and the churches of Rwanda. You desire all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. You send us with this Good News!

Prayer Focus: The CHURCH Strategy: U = Unleash a force of volunteers

“Lord, You come alongside us when we go through hard times, and before we know it, You bring us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as You are there for u.s” (II Corinthians 1:4 Message) You are Immanuel, God with us. We ask for you to impress this upon church members in the churches our teams are going to and may they see our team as examples of this as they have left their homes and families to come and visit them in Rwanda. May there be sweet fellowship with our team and believers today. May salvation come in the Lord’s church today and people step across the line to receive Him! May the Lord be glorified! Our Immanuel!

Prayer Focus: ORPHAN Care P = Prevent children from becoming orphaned: Advocate for children

Lord God, Immanuel, “the helpless put their trust in You. You are the defender of orphans Lord; You know the hopes of the helpless. Surely You will listen to their cries and comfort them You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.” (Psalm 10:10, 17-18) Thank You for Your love for the orphan!

Day 7 Monday, May 7

Praise Focus: God, our refuge. We agree together today that You are our refuge and may the team “take refuge under the shelter of your wings” (Psalm 61:4) Refresh them today as they go out.

Prayer Focus: The CHURCH Strategy: R = Remove the stigma

May those living with HIV/AIDS find refuge in You, receiving Your grace and peace and may local believers come alongside in care and comfort as they “accept one another, just as You Christ accepted them, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)

Prayer Focus: ORPHAN Care: H = Help with relief but focus on community development

“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home.” (Psalm 68:5) God, our refuge, help local church members open their homes for orphans to find refuge and protection in a loving family. Help support groups to arise and parenting classes to flourish through the churches in the communities.

Day 8 Tuesday, May 8

Praise Focus: God, our shield and defender Praise You, our shield “Your way is perfect. All of Your promises prove true. You are a shield for all who look to You for protection.” (Psalm 18:30)

Prayer Focus: The CHURCH Strategy: C = Champion healthy behavior

Lord God, our shield, we pray for those who are in recovery from trauma, or living with HIV/Aids and are believers to find protection in You and remember they are “bought with a high price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ and honor God with their bodies.” (I Corinthians 6:20)

Prayer Focus: ORPHAN Care: A = Affirm the church as God’s provision for the orphan

As You are our shield and defender, You call and empower Your Church to “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (Isaiah 1:17)

Day 9 Wednesday, May 9

Praise Focus: God, our fortress The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm 18:1) Lord, may those who come to the church for refuge find a place of safety and may You become their fortress as they deal with the trauma of being orphaned, and/or overcoming the stigma of HIV/Aids, or crying out for help with understanding how to be a good parent.

Prayer Focus: The CHURCH Strategy: H = Help with HIV medications

May the church be Your fortress and place of safety for those dealing with HIV/Aids and we pray for local church members as they “obey the law of Christ when they offer each other a helping hand” (Galatians 6:2 CEV) loving their neighbors in this practical way.

Prayer Focus: ORPHAN Care: N = Nurture the unique needs of every orphan

“And when did we see You a stranger and welcomed and entertained You, or naked and clothed You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You? And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me. (Matthew 25:35-40 Amplified Bible)

Day 10 Thursday, May 10

Praise Focus: The God of Hope Father, “may You the God of hope fill the local churches with all joy and peace as they trust in You, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:15)

Prayer Focus: For the Spirit of wisdom Father, as churches consider how they can embrace The Church Strategy for HIV/Aids Healthcare, we ask that You, “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know You better and that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened in or that they may know the hope to which You have called them.” (Ephesians 1:18-19) Help them believe You for wisdom and power to adopt this strategy so their communities will find refuge and a place of safety where they can find grace and mercy and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ so that “out of Your glorious riches You may strengthen them with power through Your Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith.”

Day 11 Friday, May 11

Praise Focus: God of compassion and justice Lord God, Your Word says that You “long to be gracious to us; therefore You rise up to show us compassion. For You are a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for You!” (Isaiah 30:18)

Prayer Focus: The Lord’s holy people adopted into His family Father, we ask that the local churches will “be rooted and established in love, and may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19) We pray in agreement that “their love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that they may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11) How beautiful also that “You chose us in You before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in Your sight. In love You predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with Your pleasure and will.” May the team and local believers they train in the churches and visit in their homes really embrace these truths and feel this, Lord Jesus.

Day 12 Saturday, May 12

Praise Focus: The Lord of the Harvest Lord Jesus, you “went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” You did this because “when You saw the crowds, You had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Thank You for our team who has gone through towns and villages praying and teaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. Praise You, the Shepherd who has led them and brought the vision of how the local church can work in this harvest field.

Prayer Focus: Workers in His harvest field We ask in agreement with Your Word because “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, that You, the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out workers into Your harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38) Thank You for sending the team and for obedience to Your call. Thank you for the local believers You are sending into their communities! Send more, Lord. Send me, Lord.

Day 13 Sunday, May 13

Praise Focus: Ephesians 3:20-21 Amplified Bible

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Prayer Focus: The team will worship together and take time to debrief today. Thank you for “devoting yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

Day 14 Monday, May 14/Day 15 Tuesday, May 15 The team departs from Kigali in the evening and will have three connections in route as they return then arrive in the early evening back in California. Praise and Prayer Focus: Processing and Praise! Coming off a mission trip always requires a lot of processing from readjusting to the time change, trying to share all the experiences and emotions with family and friends and even the church at home, re-entering into daily life when the head and heart is still back where they just served. They have obeyed the Great Commandment and the Great Commission! “Father, praise to You, the Life Changer! Help each woman on this team to praise You and process with You all that transpired on this trip. Thank you for their families and friends. Bless their homecoming! Help them be able to take “the overflowing bag” of memories, messages, and miracles and “plant seeds” in others that will cause them to be in awe of You and want to follow You more closely and love You more dearly. Thank You for all the people who gave to support them, who prayed to sustain them, and who may even go with them on future trips! To You Almighty God be the glory, great things You have done!”