When Kris Widmer, pastor of the Redding church, his wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Rebekah, went to Rwanda to be part of the ShareHim evangelistic meetings, they did not know the lasting effect it would have on themselves and their own church.

During the summer of 2006, the Widmers were each in charge of one of the 31 simultaneously-operated sites, which resulted in 2,400 baptisms. Half a year after the Widmers returned from their three-week mission trip, their minds are still on Africa, especially Rebekah’s, as she plans to return for another three-week series this June. “I want to go back, because I had a great experience,” said Rebekah. “Being a part of people coming to Christ made me want to return.”

During his time in Rwanda, Kris was invited to visit Kenya and speak at the Chebwai Adventist School, a boarding elementary and academy. When he returned home, he gave a report about his visit to the school after church one Sabbath. After describing his experiences and showing several slides from his visit, an offering was taken. In December, Kris sent the $1,300 that was raised, along with four soccer balls and a pump to the school — just in time for Christmas.

The special offering was not the end of the help the congregation plans to give those in need in Africa. Bill Gibson, head deacon of the Redding church, put a big steel cage on the church’s platform and invited people to fill it with soccer balls. Many of the children do not have soccer balls to play with, so they use makeshift ones, which are made from any material they find that can be molded into a sphere. “When we were there the first time, the kids at my site were playing with balls of rolled up plastic bags and twine,” said Rebekah.

While about 25 soccer balls have been donated so far, when Rebekah returns to Rwanda this summer, she hopes to have collected at least 100. “I’m looking forward to going back and seeing the kids faces light up when, hopefully, they’re given over 100 soccer balls.”

The Widmer family has thoroughly enjoyed their mission experience in Rwanda. “It has just been great,” said Kris. “Anyone who wants to start in evangelism, I recommend getting involved with ShareHim.”

Added Rebekah, “I can’t wait to go back and do it all over again at a new church, in a new place.”

For more information, visit ShareHim.org.