Bishop of the Shyogwe Diocese. The Bishop’s vision for the diocese is to “build God’s Kingdom here in Rwanda”.

• Wife is still suffering from psychological trauma of Genocide and is unable to return to Rwanda. Pray she would be washed in Christ’s comfort and peace. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

• Because the Bishop’s wife is not able to return to Rwanda, and because of the demands of being the Bishop, they are not able to be together very often. Pray that the Lord would allow time for the Bishop and his wife to be together.

• Pray for Bishop Kalimba’s daughters to continue to grow up in Christ.• Bishop Kalimba has asked for prayers for holistic transformation, complete

healing, and spiritual and physical renewal of all of those within the Shyogwe Diocese who were affected by the Genocide. Pray for the giving and receiving of forgiveness and reconciliation through the power of Christ’s shed blood. Genesis 50:20; Mark 11:24-25; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:12-14; Hebrews 9:14

• Pray for the Holy Spirit’s direction, guidance, and discernment about how Bishop Kalimba should carry out his vision for a 2-year curriculum technical school which would include training for mechanical engineering, construction, electricians, and information technology. Psalm 32:8; Psalm 37:4; Proverbs 16:9

• Pray that God would provide a means for all pastors within the Shyogwe Diocese to be well trained. 2 Corinthians 9:8

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Bishop Kalimba

Shyogwe Diocese

One of 11 Dioceses in Anglican Province of Rwanda. The diocesan headquarters is located in Gitarama.

• Offer prayers to God for protection against the growing influence of the Muslim church in Rwanda. Psalm 121:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 2:9

• Pray for the building of a new dormitory to house additional people who are attending various trainings that are held at the Shyogwe Diocese. RW

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The Mbayaya Project began 10 years ago as an initiative to teach farmers how to improve upon their farming and animal husbandry techniques. Trainable men and women are selected from different cooperatives, based on the size of the cooperative, to receive training at Mbayaya. Those who receive training are expected to return to their respective cooperatives and instruct others. Designated persons from Mbayaya are required to follow-up with trainees after they have received training to ensure that they are teaching other farmers what they have learned.

• Pray for God’s blessing in farming and animal husbandry for all of those who receive training at Mbayaya. Pray that the training received is beneficial and that those receiving training are able and willing to train others. Genesis 1:11-12

• Bishop Kalimba has expressed an interest in expanding the Mbayaya Project to include the production of yogurt and cheese from cow’s and goat’s milk. Pray that the Lord would provide the resources necessary to make this vision a reality. Resources include skilled trainers, finances, and a market for these products to be purchased.

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Shyogwe DioceseThe Mbayaya Project

One of the income producing projects of the diocese is a pineapple processing plant where pineapple and passion fruit juice and pineapple jam are manufactured for resale using the produce of local farmers. Because they have increased their production amounts, the government is requiring that they be licensed to ensure sanitary production conditions.

• Please pray that God would continue to bless this project and that sales would increase.

• Pray for a plentiful crop of pineapples and passion fruits.

• Pray for Rachel and Immaculee who oversee the pineapple production plant.

• Prayers for a less expensive option for printing labels for the jam and juice bottles. They currently outsource this work to Uganda and it is very expensive.

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Shyogwe DiocesePineapple Production Plant

Director of Communications for Shyogwe Diocese and Assistant to Bishop Kalimba

• Reverend Prosper’s wife, Eugenie Murembayire, is currently in University studying. Please pray for the Lord’s provision of funds to pay for her to continue her education.

• Pray for divine wisdom for Rev. Prosper as he carries out his responsibilities in his ministry. His responsibilities include: providing aid to Bishop Kalimba and Rev. Gasana in diocesan work; preaching; pastoral care and pastoral training. Rev. Prosper has also requested prayers for the church/diocesan budget to allow for him to receive a salary.

• The Shyogwe Diocese convention was held July 31 - Aug 4. Pray for a filling of the Holy Spirit and for wisdom and discernment in all decisions regarding the direction of the Shyogwe Diocese. Also, pray for wisdom as they plan for the education programs.

• Reverend Prosper has asked for prayers for direction and guidance as he makes plans to continue his studies in theological training. Hebrews 6:1-3

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Reverend Prosper

Reverend Gasana

Rev. Gasana is the Pastor of Shyogwe Parish (previous home of the Shyogwe Diocese until it was moved into Gitarama). Rev. Gasana lost 14 members of his family in the Genocide. He is now married to Betty, Director of the HIV/AIDS Project.

• Rev. Gasana feels prayer is the engine for revival in the church. They have a group which meets to pray every Wednesday night for the needs of their church community. This group spends the night at the church and are in need of a separate chapel. Pray for guidance as the church leaders plan to build a prayer chapel.

• Pray for the successful completion of the new Compassion International Project building and a new Day Care Center.

• Pray for Rev. Gasana and Betty as they care for a son with special needs.

• Pray the Health Center will become an hospital soon. This will provide much needed medical treatment for many people in severe need.

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Diocesan administrator and administrative support to Bishop Kalimba. Eugenie is instrumental in taking care of the needs of the Rwanda Partnership Teams that come to Rwanda (scheduling, accommodations, etc.). She is also the coordinator for the Diocesan Convention which was held July 29 - August 4.

• Pray that there would be a revival in evangelism throughout the Shyogwe Diocese.

• Pray that the Lord would strengthen and equip health centers so that they can serve the spiritual and physical needs of the people better.

• Pray for Eugenie’s family and that she would be a godly mother to her 4 children (twin daughters: Agatha & Natalie; 2 boys: Gabriel & Jonathan)

• Pray for rest and a sound mind as Eugenie attends classes for administrative training in Kigali.

• Pray that the Lord would provide a job for Eugenie’s husband.

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Eugenie

Director of Diocesan Mothers Union program. The Mothers Union seeks to train and equip women to be godly wives and mothers. This includes: training mothers in infant care, budgeting, personal hygiene, domestic responsibilities; as well as empowering wives/mothers to earn income for their families.

• Claudine just gave birth to a new baby boy, her fifth child, on July 6th. Pray that the Lord would sustain Claudine as she raises a family and carries out her work with the Mother’s Union. Pray for rest and restoration for Claudine as she cares for her newborn.

• Pray that Claudine’s work with the Mother’s Union would be successful in training leaders to educate members in their respective parishes the importance of educating their children

• Pray for protection of those women who are victims of gender-based violence, and pray for discernment of all MU members on how to best minister to victims and perpetrators of gender-based violence.

• Pray that the Lord would grant Claudine’s husband stamina as he completes his education.

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Claudine

The purpose of this program is to organize community support groups and care for those with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the program provides education about HIV/AIDS prevention. Clementine and Betty work with the HIV Support program.

• Pray for the provision of resources for HIV/AIDS prevention training materials

• Pray that the Lord would direct Clementine and Betty as they decide how to best organize effective community support groups to serve and care for those with HIV/AIDS. RW

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Shyogwe DioceseHIV/AIDS Project

This is our sister church with which COTA has been in partnership for the past 5 years. Gikomero Parish is under the leadership of Pastor Étienne who is under the leadership of Bishop Jared Kalimba, bishop of the Shyogwe Diocese.

• Pray for the Lord’s direction on how to best use the people and resources within Gikomero to fight poverty. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

• Pray against the work of the enemy as he tries to influence the youth of the Gikomero parish through internet activity.

• Pray that Cell Groups would thrive and that members would seek reconciliation and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Cell groups are similar to our Community Groups) Acts 2:44-47; Hebrews 10:24-25

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Gikomero Parish

Since the completion of the well at Gikomero, a new health center was recently approved by the government and has opened for service. Because of the level of care given, others are coming from miles away to receive treatment at the Gikomero Health Center even though other health centers are closer to their homes. The government has seen the volume, success, and quality of service given at this health center and has expressed an interest in turning it into a hospital in the future.

• Pray that the Lord would provide supplies and workers in order to adequately minister to the needs of the sick.

• Pray for healing of those who are treated at the Gikomero Health Center. James 5:14; 1 Corinthians 12:9

• Pray that the Lord would use this ministry to reach non-believers.

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Gikomero ParishHealth Center

Gikomero is in the process of building a new church building. Each Monday is a community work day in which the parishioners help out with the manual labor of building the church. They have already laid bricks up to the windows. We are also honored to share our namesake with the new church building which will be called Gikomero, Church of the Apostles!

• Give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for blessing the work of the hands of all of those who come to serve on community work day and pray that He would continue to bless the work of those who labor for Him. 2 Chronicles 15:7

• Pray that the Lord would remove any obstacles which would prevent Gikomero COTA from being built. Isaiah 54:17

• Pray that the laborers would remain faithful to their commitment of building the church. Also, pray that the Lord would strengthen their bodies and that their strength would be renewed daily as they serve the Lord in this way. Jeremiah 32:17; Ezra 1:3,5

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Gikomero ParishNew Church Building

Pastor Étienne

Pastor of our sister church, the Parish at Gikomero. Pastor Étienne is married to Felicima and they have a two-year-old son named Peacemaker.

• Pastor Étienne has requested our prayers about sending a pastor to Rwanda for a year to assist and train lay leaders and catechists. Isaiah 30:21

• Pray for discernment about how to best provide for the Pastor’s transportation needs. Because many people in Gikomero do have not any means of communication (phones, internet, etc.), Pastor Étienne must walk to visit each of his parishioners needing pastoral care; however, it is not feasible factor the cost of maintaining a vehicle or a motorbike into the church budget.

• Felicima is in need of funds to continue her studies at University. Please pray for the Lord’s provision and direction in this regard.

• Pray that the Lord would raise up leaders and catechists to assist Pastor Étienne in shepherding his flock as well as spreading the gospel to non-believers. Exodus 18:25; Acts 6:2-4; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-4

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Celestine and Epiphanie

Celestine is a catechist at Gikomero Parish. He is married to Epiphanie. He provides support to church ministries in order for them to grow and thrive.

• To lead people to love the Lord with all their hearts so they will be dedicated to Him and would serve Him. Ephesians 1:17, 3:16-19 RW

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Gato and Soverina

Gato is a teacher at the school at Gikomero and has been teaching for over 40 years. Gato’s wife, Soverina, leads the Gikomero Mother’s Union. Gato, like many Rwandans, walks an hour to school each day to teach.

• Gato’s prayer is for the children to fully learn English so their partnership with COTA can grow stronger.

• Pray for wisdom from the Lord for Gato as he develops curriculums for teaching English to his students.

• Pray that the training and materials provided by our partnership team would be useful for teaching English to the children.

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Foibe is about 7 years old and is a special friend of Hillary Dotson’s. They met on the 2012 trip and the Holy Spirit united their hearts through Christ’s love. They do not speak the same language, but their bond is strong!

• Foibe has been ill for several months. She will go through spells where she is feeling well but then falls ill again and they have not been able to properly diagnose and treat her illness. Prayer request is for healing and full restoration of Foibe’s health and strength and energy.

• Pray for protection of her family and those around Foibe that this illness would not be contagious. RW

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Foibe

Dancille is the widow of the former Pastor of Gikomero Parish who was killed in a motorcycle accident. She is a single mother of three children, Bruno, Praise The Lord, and Grace. Dancille is currently attending University in order to obtain a Nursing Degree so that she may support her family.

• Pray that the Lord would provide the means for her children’s education.

• Pray for her strength as she attends school and cares for her children. RW

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Dancille

This is a group of women who were raped, impregnated and abandoned by their own families and others in the community. Their families are ashamed and will no longer care for them; however, these women have sought shelter in Jesus Christ and have banded together to form the “Abishyizehamwe” or “The People Who Decide to be Together”. They serve as a support group for each other and the Gikomero Parish supports them as well.

• Pray that the Lord would provide the resources for income producing projects so they can feed their children and provide a home. Funds are also needed so they can attend school.

• Pray that these women would know that they are LOVED by Jesus Christ. Isaiah 43:1, 4

• Pray that they would be encouraged in the knowledge and love of Jesus. Ephesians 3:17-18; Romans 8:28, 37-39

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AbishyizehamweThe People Who Decided To Be Together

Soverina leads the Mother’s Union of Gikomero with assistance of Alexia and Theoneste. The purpose of the Mother’s Union is to teach women to be godly mothers and wives, educate them on personal hygiene and proper nutrition for their families and to provide training for income producing projects.

• Pray that the Lord would remove any obstacles which might keep new single mothers from joining the Mothers Union.

• Pray for the Lord’s provision of materials for the training of income producing projects.

• Pray for the Lord’s provision of funding for the single mothers to attend school

• Pray that the Lord would teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live so that they may, by their example, train the younger women to love their husbands and children. Titus 2:3-5

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Theoneste, Soverina and Alexia

Head of housekeeping at the Shyogwe Training Center. Janet oversees the housekeeping staff and ensures we are well fed and taken care of through out the duration of our stay in Rwanda.

• Janet was married on July 12th. Prayers that she and Jean Baptiste, would grow together in Christ as a married couple and that the Lord would strengthen their marriage. RW

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Janet

Betty serves in housekeeping at the Shyogwe Training Center while Fabian and Jean Marie serve as cooks. We met Fabian last year (2012) and the only English he spoke was “Come!” when it was time to come eat. This year when we saw Fabian, he said, with a huge grin, “God. Bless. You.” And as he hugged each of us he said “My friend!” Betty, Fabian, and Jean Marie arrive at the training center before the sun comes up each morning to clean dishes and begin cooking on a wood stove. They serve joyfully and Christ’s love is evident in each of them. Their sweet faces were such a blessing to see first thing each day!

• Pray for their safety as they walk an hour or more to and from work each day.

• Prayers that they would be examples to others of Christ’s love in their service to others. Colossians 3:17, 23-24; Galatians 6:10

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Betty, Jean Marie and Fabian

Former pastor of Gohogo Parish, currently the pastor at Ruhunga Parish. Pastor Venant was our constant companion on the 2012 Rwanda trip, taking time out of his already busy schedule to escort us to various projects and developments throughout the Shyogwe Diocese. Pastor Venant shared with us his passion for directing a youth choir of teenagers and early 20-somethings.

• Pastor Venant is a young, new pastor with the Ruhunga Parish; please pray for wisdom, understanding and direction as he shepherds his parish. Pray for his strength and protection from enemy attack. Isaiah 40:29-31, 41:10

• Pastor Venant is using Bible study training methods and materials which Ford and Eric provided to pastors in 2012 to teach lay leaders and catechists in his current parish. Pray for the Lord’s blessing in spreading His word throughout Pastor Venant’s parish through the use of these materials. Isaiah 55:11

• Pray that the Lord would continue to use the skills and talents given to Pastor Venant and the members of his youth choir to reach Rwandans who have not yet received the Good News.

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Pastor Venant

Director of a trade school which teaches students skills such as woodworking and metal-working. The Lord has blessed their work through the provision of contracts with organizations (e.g. universities and schools) for items such as desks and chairs. To see Bernard’s enthusiasm and love for his work is to see the joy of the Lord first hand! And Bernard’s joy for the Lord and for his work is infectious!

• Pray that the training provided at the trade school would be helpful for students to learn a skill which they can use to generate income for themselves and their families.

• Pray that the Lord would continue to provide a market in Rwanda for the products made at the trade school as consumers recognize the quality and craftsmanship of the products made.

• Pray for Bernard’s stamina as he works tirelessly with the trade school.

• Pray that the Lord would continue to use Bernard’s infectious joy to cause others to come to know the joy that is found in Christ Jesus. John 15:10-11

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Bernard