Linked with Love / Pearce & Nzige FMC

Linked with Love / Pearce & Nzige FMC Linked with Love is Pearce’s partnership with the Nzige Preschool & Primary School, located on a hilltop in southeastern Rwanda, Africa.

“Linked with Love” is Pearce’s partnership with the Nzige Free Methodist School, located on a hilltop in southeastern Rwanda, Africa. This school helps more than 300 children, between the ages of 4-11,. Started in August 2011 by the Free Methodist congregation in Nzige as a preschool, and expanding in January 2018 to grades Primary 1 - 3, Nzige FM School is making a significant impact on families

with young children in their village. Pearce families are asked to consider making a commitment to sponsor a child from the school. To date, over 100 children in Nzige have been sponsored by families at Pearce. More sponsorship packets are still available. If you would like to sponsor a child in Nzige, but have not been able to do so yet, you may contact the Pearce Church office at 594-9488 at any time and ask for more information. Those choosing to sponsor a child will commit to monthly financial support ($30 per month), regular prayer support, and occasional communication with the child to encourage them in their studies and in their walk with Christ. Our partnership with the Nzige preschool in Rwanda was highlighted in International Childcare Ministries newsletter. You can find that article here: http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/

This partnership is the result of the work of Pearce’s Great Commission Leadership Team, a group committed to helping our congregation to be involved in Kingdom work, both at home and around the world.

Ephaste sent the following update from our Connected Community in Nzige, Rwanda: "Dear Friends - I am overjoyed to to sh...
04/11/2026

Ephaste sent the following update from our Connected Community in Nzige, Rwanda: "Dear Friends - I am overjoyed to to share that 319 children, including 151 ICCM kids, came together to listen to the story of Jesus resurrected. The Nzige sponsored kids received Easter food to share with their families. Each child was given 25 KG of rice, 25 KG of maize flour, and 3 liters of cooking oil from their sponsorship funds. It is always joyous to see these teenagers grow in recognition of the contributions of Pearce sponsorships in their lives. May the Lord bless you sponsors."
Ephaste

Today we remember that 32 years ago, the genocide in Rwanda began its horrible terror. I invite you to pray for our frie...
04/08/2026

Today we remember that 32 years ago, the genocide in Rwanda began its horrible terror. I invite you to pray for our friends in that beautiful country as they recall the trauma of those days. Join with me in praying for continued healing of their land.

We received a wonderful update this week from our Connected Community in Nzige, Rwanda. Ephaste, the ICCM National Coord...
11/07/2025

We received a wonderful update this week from our Connected Community in Nzige, Rwanda. Ephaste, the ICCM National Coordinator for Rwanda, shared the following message:

"The Nzige family sends their greetings to our Pearce family, with thanks for the mattresses that ICCM was able to give each of the sponsored children. Without your financial sponsorship support, this would not have happened. For some parents and children, this was the very first time they were able to sleep on a mattress—instead of banana leaves as before. Thank you to everyone who supports a child in Nzige through ICCM!"

Dear Pearce Family,Last evening, Mary and I arrived safely in Rochester. Tired, but grateful for all this we saw and exp...
08/26/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

Last evening, Mary and I arrived safely in Rochester. Tired, but grateful for all this we saw and experienced. Again, thank you for all you prayers on our behalf!

In Christ,

Wally

Dear Pearce Family,This is Mary and my final day in Rwanda. We had planned to leave Friday evening, but our KLM flight o...
08/24/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

This is Mary and my final day in Rwanda. We had planned to leave Friday evening, but our KLM flight out of Kigali was canceled due to "technical difficulties". Our earliest opportunity is tonight's 8:50 pm flight. We'll head home by way of Amsterdam and Detroit and, late on Monday afternoon, make it to Rochester, the Lord willing!

I don't know how to summarize our time here other than to say that we are abundantly blessed to be a small part of Pearce's partnership with the brothers and sisters of Rwanda. God is certainly at work here in marvelous and powerful ways. I always leave this land humbled by the Christian community in Rwanda and the faithful and courageous witness of so many. It stirs in me a desire to draw closer to Jesus.

Thank you for the privilege of representing Pearce these past several days.

I asked Mary "What was the highlight for you?" She replied: "Meeting our sponsored children!" Child sponsorship remains the foundation of our Connect Community. I encourage you to continue to write your sponsored child regularly, assuring them of your love and prayers. Those small notes are important and impactful on lives here.

Mary and I look forward to opportunities to share with you in the coming weeks.

Blessings and, again, thank you for the privilege of representing you.

In Christ,

Wally

Dear Pearce Family,What a full day Thursday proved to be! (But that always seems to be the case on these trips to Rwanda...
08/21/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

What a full day Thursday proved to be! (But that always seems to be the case on these trips to Rwanda.) Yesterday we awoke at our hotel near Gahanda and spent the morning in a delightful round of home visits with families whose children are sponsored by the Northgate F.M. congregation.

There is nothing better than the opportunity to sit inside a family’s house and hear their stories. We come bearing gifts for sponsored children and delight in presenting them with bags filled with soccer balls and art supplies. The children are soft-spoken and respectfully, but the smiles on their faces are radiant.

The family stories are often heart-breaking. Accounts of parents abandoning their children, leaving their spouse to struggle with childrearing on their own. Tales of abuse and the damage of alcoholism and drug use. And, of course, the terrible ravages of poverty and hunger.

Thank the Lord for ICCM and the impact is making in the lives of children. One cannot express the changes in a family as the result of child sponsorship.

In addition to the house visits, we toured an agricultural project in Gahanda. We greeted cows and pigs (they didn't respond)and viewed the land where crops grow to benefit the sponsored children.

Today we will leave for a little respite before flying back home by visiting Akagora National Wildlife Park.

God has been gracious to us throughout this week and we feel blessed to have had this opportunity to see what Pearce’s partnership here in Rwanda has accomplished.

Thank you for continued support.

Blessings!

Wally

Dear Pearce Family,Tuesday was a wonderful day in Gahanda, the school and church that the Northgate Free Methodist Churc...
08/20/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

Tuesday was a wonderful day in Gahanda, the school and church that the Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia is partnering with in Rwanda. The children, as we always find here, are quite special. I suppose that is true around the world, isn't it?

After this morning's breakfast, we will visit homes of some of the children sponsored by people at Northgate. Home visits are always a highlight. I continue to be amazed by the impact of child sponsorship on a family. It truly changes lives.

We'll make the three-hour trip back to Kigali this afternoon, arriving, hopefully, by 6pm for a dinner hosted by Bishop Samuel's son and his family. I had the privilege a few years ago, of participating in his son's wedding and look forward to catching up with him.

Please continue to pray for us. We are all tired from the travel and busy days, but thank the Lord for the wonderful ways we see His hand at work in our world. We are so grateful for the Pearce participation in ministry in Rwanda and in the work of International Child Care Ministries.

Blessings!

In Christ,

Wally

Dear Pearce Family,What a wonderful day this Monday has proven to be!The highlight, as you may guess, was seeing Ange an...
08/18/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

What a wonderful day this Monday has proven to be!

The highlight, as you may guess, was seeing Ange and Solange, the two girls that Mary and I have been sponsoring for the past ten years. I spied Ange, moments after our arrival, as we walked down the path to the school buildings. Students were singing as we walked onto the campus and there on the left side I saw Ange. I hadn’t seen her on my visit last summer, so it had been a while. We immediately hugged and I called Mary over yelling “It’s Ange! It’s Ange!” Such joy!

Later in the afternoon, we were able to spend time with Solange, visiting her and her family at their home. We sat with them in the house and heard of the marvelous ways God has been at work in their family. Solange’s father had been in prison on my previous visits, the result of drug abuse and domestic violence. Upon his release, he made the decision to pursue a life of faith in Christ, and the family dynamics have been transformed. Recently Solange’s mom and dad, who had never married, had a church wedding. It was clear that the family was in harmony in a way they had not experienced before. Thank the Lord for his marvelous work in the heart of Solange’s father.

I never fail to be amazed by the ways in which sponsorship not only changes a child’s life but brings about changes in an entire family.

We were given the royal welcome that is so characteristic of this culture. Students danced for us, demonstrated martial arts, and performed incredible back flips on the outdoor basketball court. Even though it was uncharacteristically cold and rainy for August, the parents and students did their best to welcome us. Later we moved into the church sanctuary for extended greetings and presentation of gifts. I always feel humbled by their warm and gracious words. Now Mary knows first-hand why Rwanda has so captured my heart. I am so grateful that she is on this trip with me.

We are exhausted after a long day of travel on muddy roads and crawling into bed sounds incredibly inviting. Forgive me for not writing more.

Thanks for your prayers on our behalf. God is good! All the time! But especially today!

In Christ,

Wally

Dear Pearce Family,It is a rainy Monday morning in Rwanda. In a short while, we will embark on our journey to Nzige and ...
08/18/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

It is a rainy Monday morning in Rwanda. In a short while, we will embark on our journey to Nzige and visit our Connected Community. We are, of course, anticipating with excitement our visit.

The first two days in Rwanda have been quite full and memorable. Saturday morning, we walked in silence through the stark and sobering Genocide Memorial in Kigali. Still hard to comprehend the horrors of those 100 days of inhumanity in the spring of 1994.

The afternoon stood in great contrast as we attended the dowry of the daughter of one of Ephaste’s friends. There was much traditional dancing and singing as we shared in the joy of a couple soon to be married.

Yesterday (Sunday) began with an 7:30 am baptismal service at the baptismal pool immediately outside a church not far from guesthouse here in the capital city. The three oldest children of Ephaste witnessed to their faith in a lovely ceremony. Two worship services followed: one at 8:30 am and the other at 11:30 am. I was honored to preach at each service with Ephaste translating and, I hope, improving my message. We then traveled to Ephaste’s home where we joined nearly a hundred others in a celebration of the baptisms, complete with a large banquet table and a marvelous choir providing exuberant music. It was quite the joyous gathering!

We are aware of your prayers as we spend these special days in Rwanda. Thank you for your encouragement and faithfulness.

We are blessed to be here and express, on behalf of Pearce, our love for these wonderful people.

In Christ,

Wally

Dear Pearce Family,I am in Rwanda. Amazing! God has given me the privilege of one more visit to this lovely and enchante...
08/16/2025

Dear Pearce Family,

I am in Rwanda. Amazing! God has given me the privilege of one more visit to this lovely and enchanted land.

Ephaste and his eldest son, Bright, welcomed us at the airport after a rather tedious wait at immigration where we underwent the longest interrogation by a government official that I have yet experienced here or anywhere else in the world. Apparently, Friday was our lesson in the convoluted and tedious aspects of bureaucracy. Yesterday morning we arrived at the Brussels’ airport to be confronted by an airline clerk who had a sour disposition and who pronounced dire assessments of our overweight luggage and, with apocalyptic warnings of exorbitant penalty fees for our extra suitcases, ordered us off to repack our bags. After a frantic interval of making minor adjustments to our bags, along with a quick prayer, we returned to the baggage counter to find an angel, a wonderful and gracious person who waved our luggage through without any extra fees or disparaging comments.

Today we will gather for breakfast at 8:30 AM and then head out for a tour of the National Genocide Memorial Museum. Afterwards, we will grab lunch somewhere and then attend a 1:00 PM dowry ceremony for the daughter of one of Ephaste’s friends. The first item on our agenda will be sobering, the latter a celebration of Rwandan culture and tradition.

What a joy to have Mary here in Rwanda! I am so grateful for all that she will experience and see in this coming week.

Please pray for me tomorrow morning as I preach at services at two different churches. Pray that I will have the necessary energy and stamina. And, of course, that I will faithfully proclaim the Word of God.

Thanks for keeping all our team in your prayers. We will do our best to represent our Pearce family!

In Christ,

Wally

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