Short version: We are going to meet new friends that we hope to work with for many years to come.
In January of 2005, when Troy and I first stepped foot on Rwandan soil, I had no idea what the trip would hold for us. I was scared, and excited to learn. The trip was a ‘vision’ trip to simply be exposed to the life and needs of Rwanda for the purpose of returning home and asking, “In what way could my life intersect with Rwanda. What gift do I have to leverage for the good of these friends?”
As a songwriter, I came home and wrote songs. I Saw What I Saw was the first song that I wrote on my return, but the images of Rwanda permeated the whole album Tell Me What You Know.
Two years ago, Food for the Hungry approached us about concentrating our sponsorship efforts on one community in Rwanda. This was an answer to prayer for Troy and I, and has obviously resonated with our audience as well.
Last year as we travelled, we asked our audience to join with us in sponsoring children from Gisanga, Rwanda. It is our dream to create a relationship that has breadth and depth beyond our one sponsored child that includes a deeper understanding of the community and their needs. On Feb 28th we leave with our son Kirby, and other friends who have sponsored children with us to meet the people of Gisanga, and to begin a partnership that we hope will last for many years to come.
If you would like to sponsor a child in Gisanga, please visit http://fh.org/saragroves. If you have already sponsored a child in Gisanga, watch here for more information on the community, and on our trip!
Sara and Troy, what a great next step in the journey! I look forward to seeing how God uses you as you join in what he is doing in Gisanga.
ReplyDeletePraying for safe travel. May God's love shine through you to the people in Gisanga and through them to you.
ReplyDeleteDear Sara, Troy and team. I am looking forward to reading more about your trip. I work in Child Sponsorship for Food for the Hungry and chatted with Dwight, the regional director in Africa just a few weeks ago. He shared is plans for your team including a lunch at his home and work projects. I know God will open eyes and hearts and give you even more ways to advocate for the children in need. Thank you so very much for your heart to help.
ReplyDeleteBonnie Chavez
Hey Sara, I met you briefly after you MN concert on the Art*Music*Justice tour. It was my first time hearing your music that night, and I was deeply moved. I'll be checking in with this blog while you're in Africa.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know, my son is 4 and he's in love with your song "When the Saints" and wants to read the account of "Paul and Silas in the prison yard" every night at bedtime. And then he writes his own Paul & Silas songs throughout the day. You've inspired him!
May God give much grace and direction during your trip. I'm eager to hear more about how this trip with add to God's beautiful redemption story.
Sara -
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be praying for you here in Illinois. What an amazing opportunity God has given you in the past and is giving you in the present and beyond.
I can't wait to hear about how the trip went!
In Christ,
Ian
I too will be praying...
ReplyDelete~simply~
I will be praying also, Sara, I have to tell you that I am so blessed by you and your music. I have been listening to your music now for almost 12 years, I basically grew up listening to you. At every stage of my life, I could turn to your songs for encouragement, truth, exhortation, comfort, etc. I can only say that I think it's because your songs so clearly carry the beauty of your heart for God and His heart for us. You have been more formative in my life than you will ever know. I have recently started the process of forming a ministry that would partner with orphan ministries over seas. I was being convicted of not stepping forward in faith on this call, when I heard your song Saints Go Marching in live at Founder's week two years ago. I wish I could tell you how much that song resonated with me. The line "there's a fire in my bones" that's exactly where I was. Thank you so much for your ministry, I hope to meet you in person one day and thank you face to face, even if it's on the other side of glory. (sorry for gushing, I just want to say thank you!)
ReplyDeleteDear Sara, I want to thank you for following the Lord and loving him as much as you do. Your music has been an incredible blessing in my life and in my children's lives. Your words have given me the opportunity to stop and think and read my bible. Which has brought me so much closer to Jesus. I am very grateful to you.
ReplyDeleteI pray that you and your family have a blessed trip and you come home renewed and inspired and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Sing His praises always, Sara.
Maria
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI have no idea whether or not you will read this but I would like to be in contact with you regarding your music and some work I am doing in Haiti.
If you have a moment, could you please contact me through our website - www.ageofthestoryteller.org
I just don't wanna leave my personal email out here in the blogosphere.
Thanks!
Luke
Hi Sarah. Quick question. Are you New Age or are you Emergent?
ReplyDeleteHi Sara,
ReplyDeleteWe await your album with great anticaption, as though a great new truth will soon be proclaimed to the world. I am hoping and praying that you will coin a song on loving our enemies. This may be a tough subject for many God-fearing people, but I think you would agree that it's a foundational element of the Gospel message. Sara, please go easy on the drums on your next album. Your voice is so genuine and beautiful...we just love to hear you sing without overbearing instrumental music. Thank you for changing our world.
Loving & praying for you forever,
Nathan & Marci Lapp
Harrisonburg, VA
but how do you feel right teaching that blood sacrifice is ethical?
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteHow can you spread a message of BLOOD SACRFICE to the masses like this? I understand your intentions, but i don't think you understand your own doctrine. You God wants you to BATHE IN HIS SONS BLOOD!
Ask yourself "Why does someone (christ) need to DIE for me to live?" Ask it with a loving heart. You will then realize that Christianity is actually founded on Death, not life.
Blood sacrifice is unethical for any human or entity to practice. What makes you think it's right in this case? Oh, it's "symbolic" you say? Symbolic for what? Blood? Yep.
What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus?
Oh, precious is the FLOW
That makes me white as snow!
Please wake up and walk away from this blood bath. It did, even after 20 years of bathing in blood. It isn't right. Shedding blood so others may live is not powerful. It's complete tyranny. WAKE UP!
I love you,
Eric