Updates on Rwanda and Upcoming Mission Trip

Just before the pandemic, the session had approved the service/missions committee request for funds to help open a hospice in Rwanda. Jennifer Ellis has traveled there, and the leaders have visited FPC. However, with the travel restrictions, etc., she was not able to get the hospice off the ground. Instead, we have used the money to start a feeding program. Patients in the Presbyterian Hospital in Rwanda are not provided meals, so their families must feed them. The Dorcas youth group there saw the need and has been providing cooked meals for families to feed their sick. 

Members of Service/Missions would like to visit Rwanda sometime in the next months. We want to see the meal program in action, and we also want to review the need for the hospice. A former employee of the Outreach Foundation who traveled with Jennifer pre-pandemic is organizing the trip, and members of some Nashville churches are also interested in traveling.

If you think you might be interested, please reach out to Ann Waddle or Jennifer Ellis! Specific dates and travel details are not complete and may depend on when most interested people can travel. The itinerary will include:

1) Dedication of pastor Julius’s church one Sunday (Pastor Julius has visited us at FPC Clarksville!) 

2) Visit the Special Needs Children’s school (art and craft activity)

3) A visit to Remera Hospital (feeding program and evangelistic activities to Hospital patients and staff by the Dorcas youth group, supported by FPC Clarksville)

4) A day of relaxation (could be the National Park with a safari or a day or two at beautiful Lake Kivu)

5) Time with the Rwandan Presbyterian Church leadership and lots of food, fun and time with Rwandan folks! 

6) Housing at a Presbyterian conference facility - clean, comfortable rooms with delicious meals. 

Please keep Rwanda and future travel in your prayers.