Rwanda here we come!! - by Eric

As our time in China begins to draw to a close, we're looking ahead with much excitement to what’s next for our family. We've treasured our time in China, along with her people and culture.  We’re thankful for the numerous opportunities HE has given us to reach out within our community and campus.  We’ll miss China dearly along with our friends and family here.  With all of the things that will be hard to leave behind, there have been challenges as well. Having lived in Central China for three years now, one of these is that our children are quite isolated.  Our boys have had 2 English speaking friends each year during our time here.  Additionally, homeschooling four boys on the fifth floor of a high rise is not for the faint at heart. Even with that being said, we have come to feel that our hearts and God’s desire is for us to continue serving abroad.  So we have been in fervent prayer about our next chapter; one that provides the opportunity to continue serving the Kingdom but also provides different options for our children. God has been very good and has presented us with a wonderful opportunity that answers so many of these and other specific prayers.

We are thrilled to share with you that our family is moving to Rwanda! I've accepted the role of Spiritual Life Coordinator at the Kigali International Community School and will start at the end of July.  Since taking a three week family mission trip to Zambia in 2009, we have had Africa on our hearts.  Brinson and Aiden have felt a longing and connection to the continent and have dreamed of moving there. This seems like a perfect fit for our family and we are so thankful to the Father for sending us this way!  The opportunities this provides for all 6 of us are exciting.

Zambia 2009

Wendy will once again be able to use her medical training and passion for the fatherless in countless ways, ways that have been closed in China.  She's been coordinating with a midwife who works closely in a nearby village and plans to serve alongside her.  She also plans to serve in a local orphanage and/or through foster care.

 

Zambia 2009

Equally as exciting, all four boys will go to a highly diverse, American styled school.  Although KICS serves students from over 30 countries, 40% of the students are Rwandan.  The school has a unique role as it reaches out into the community, shares Christ's love with students of various religions, and provides an American styled school for missionary kids in the surrounding area, allowing missionary families to stay on the field rather than return to their native countries for their children's educational needs.  Many of the students are the children of those working in the numerous embassies present in Kigali, the capital city.  I'm excited to have a voice and influence in their lives.

Zambia 2009

You may remember Rwanda as the sight of a horrific genocide in 1994 which shockingly claimed the lives of nearly 1 million people in 100 days.  Although this haunting history still lingers and impacts the lives of Rwandans, a beautiful new story is being written, a story marked with reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewal.  Our family is eager to play a small role in this emerging story and help connect Rwanda's story with the ultimate source of reconciliation, forgiveness, and renewal.  

All employees at KICS are missionary-educators and therefore raise most of their financial support.  So we find ourselves joining the ranks of countless missionaries before us in asking His people to help provide financial support for what He has planned to do through us.  We're needing to raise $20,000 by July to purchase airline tickets, medical insurance, and other one-time expenses.  Then beginning in August, we'll need $1,600 each month.  

From a human perspective this seems overwhelming. However, we feel perfect peace in His leading, and as we have experienced previously, when He leads He also provides.  

When Paul was faced with the task of raising monetary support he encouraged Christians with this promise: "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." This is absolutely our family's prayer and hope, that God will receive thanksgiving and praise through the generosity and provision of His people. 

And so, we're asking you to please pray and consider supporting our family financially as we move to Rwanda. As you've heard many times before from many different sources, every little bit helps.  Furthermore, even though this is a strange time of year to be raising funds, if you think your church or organization might be interested in partnering with us, please pass on this information or let us know.

We're receiving funds through the Sunset Avenue Church of Christ. Checks can be made out to Sunset Ave, memo line: Davenport-Rwanda, and mailed to:

Sunset Avenue Church of Christ
600 Orchard Ave
Madera, CA 93637

Much love from the Davenport clan

Eric, Wendy, Brinson, Aiden, Sheldon, and Pierce