City of Joy-Rwanda Mission: 2011

Education is the key to helping children and giving them a brighter future. For many kids education is difficult. Even though government (public) schools are free there are costs involved. Uniforms, sandals, haircuts, paper, pencils, pens, and other supplies are required. If a family is too poor to buy these things some children remain at home and don't go to school.

City of Joy is making a difference through Student Sponsorships! You can sponsor a student and help them go and stay in school. For a gift of $25-primary school or $50-secondary school, you can help a child. You will receive a picture and short biography of the child you have helped. Your gift will provide everything needed for one year of education.

Gifts are tax deductible if given through our sponsoring church. Make checks payable to:

Living Hope Community Church
7925A N. Oracle #376
Tucson, AZ 85704

Enclose on a separate piece of paper "Todd and Andria- Student Sponsorships".

Or if you would rather donate through paypal (not tax deductible) you can donate with the paypal button located on this blog's home page. Please write a note "Student Sponsorships" on the last page of the paypal donation.

Thank you for changing the world one child at a time!

Todd and Andria

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Women of Rwanda - Jane & Sophia

Two women received "Women of Rwanda" sponsorships this week. The sponsorships will help them better themselves through business and personal development. One-on-one mentoring will aide them in life and business skills. Both women will receive sewing machines that they will use in the sewing association or if they choose they can venture off and start their own business.

Women of Rwanda sponsorships are $30/month for 12 months.

Name: Jane Kubwimana

Birth day: December 30^th 1983

Father: John Ntakabamira

Mother: Leocadia Nyiraneza

I have completed primary school in 2003 and my parent s were not able to send me in secondary school, I got married and have 3 children, Vestine Murekatete born January 1^st 2004, second born are twins Kevine Gatesi and Vivine Akarezi , born in January 13^th 2009, they were premature of 6 months. I expected my husband to help but didn’t happen because he went away and he never shows up to see the twins. We were living in rented house yet I had no money to pay, I decided to return to my parents, I was thinking of my future and fail to get an encouraging answer. I thank God my family helped to feed the babies until I started searching for casual labor in construction places but didn’t accomplish a lot. 2 years later cell leaders sent me to join sewing training and I am able to make shirts, skirts and trousers, as we finish the training I would like to work with other sewing members while focus on improving the welfare of my family.

Name: Sophia Mujawamungu

Birth day: September 29^th 1985

Father: Nzigiyimfura

Mother: Emeliene Urimubenshi

I attended primary school in Nyarutovu while in process to complete P.6 I was pregnant and he decided to marry me but didn’t exist for a long time, after six months he chased me out, I had nowhere to go, my parents died in the Genocide and all our houses were destroyed, some friends supported me to repair the house to live with my children, I have 2 children Lionel Uwayo born April 2^nd 2007 and Daddy Ishimwe born December 6^th 2009. Life changed abruptly after registered in sewing group, the fact that I got friends whom we chat sometimes forget all the problems, I am able to make school uniforms, skirts, shorts and bordering, in partnership with my friends we will work together to improve the lives of our people.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Brigitte M

What is your name? Brigitte Mutuyimana

Name of the school? Nyarutovu

Age: 9

Grade: P.2

Father’s name: Andre Iyamuremye

Mother’s name: Mukahakizimana

How many siblings do you have and what are their ages? I don’t have sibling

What is your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject is English

What is your favorite food? Rice, chips and meat

What are your favorite games? I like jumping and hand ball

What do you like to do when you are not at school? I help in fetching water, collecting wood and cooking

What would you like to do after you are done with secondary school? I would like to teach in secondary school.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Women's Center Needs Your Help

The land is bought across the street from our house. One group from America, Dress a Girl Around the World (Hope 4 Kids International), has pledged $10,000 to the new Women's Center! But we need an additional $5,000 for the first phase build.

The Women's Center will be a ministry building reaching out to at-risk women in our neighborhood. Often times women don't receive the same opportunities that the men do. Many women have been abused or have suffered neglect. The Women's Center will bring the hope of Jesus to these women. Through vocational training classes (sewing, crafts, business & leadership, etc.) and Bible studies women of all ages will enjoy a "safe-haven" that will provide them with the tools and resources to develop themselves, their faith and their families.

Twenty-six women have been training in sewing skills and are ready to move into the Women's Center and start their Sewing Association. But we need your help to make this dream a reality.Gifts are tax deductible if given through our sponsoring church. Make checks payable to:

Living Hope Community Church
7925A N. Oracle #376
Tucson, AZ 85704

Enclose on a separate piece of paper "Todd and Andria- Women's Community Center."

Or if you would rather donate through paypal (not tax deductible) you can donate with the paypal button located on this blog's home page. Please write a note "Women's Community Center" on the last page of the paypal donation.

Meet Grace from the Sewing Group

Name: Mukeshimana Grace

Birth day: December 25^th 1984

Father: Straton Nkwaya born in January 1^st 1945

Mother: Adeline Nyiramajoro born July 28^th 1948

She has remained with her mother, father died in the 11994 Genocide, am doing everything at home because our mother is very old cannot be able to grow food even the is far from our place, my sisters were married and have children, we have 2 orphans that we are taking care of. The first one is in primary 5 and second in primary 1, so we do face challenges when they need school supplies and they come to me.

I started April 2^nd 2011, and am doing a job there is a difference to my previous situation, I can make different types of clothes, friendship with others girls and I will try all my best to develop my profession. May God bless you.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Midwifery

Today we met our midwife, Jocelyn. Jocelyn is from Canada originally and now lives in Rwanda helping educate on pregnancy and birth. She has 4 children with her husband who is from Holland....she made us feel so comfortable with our desire to have a home birth.

Home births apparently are on the rise. Midwifery is now a recognized and respected career. Having your baby at home is a valid option and provides a warm, caring atmosphere for one of the most special events in life.

We are planning on having our baby at a friend's house in Kigali. We will live in Kigali the last few months of Andria's pregnancy and receive the care from our midwife and our doctor, Brian Robinson. Andria is confident that this is what she wants and is even considering a water tub birth. It is amazing that a huge percentage of the world gives birth at home...we are just doing what most of the world is doing!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Going to the dentist

My tooth cracked and I dreaded going to the dentist. Living in Rwanda has it's challenges and finding good dental care is one of those challenges. I was able to find "the best" dentist in Rwanda. President Kagame uses her.

I am in the middle of a root canal. I had one in America and it was done faster than I imagine. It is different here. I have had two "treatments" and the pain was pretty intense. Of course the cost, around $140, is much cheaper than America. So I am thankful that I can find dental care here but I am also rather anxious about the pain factor. I am going to "man up" and face the pain head on and believe that everything will work out.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Meet Jeanne from the sewing class

Name: Jeanne Kubwimana

Birth day: December 30^th 1983

Father: Jean Ntakabanyura

Mother: Leocadie Nyiraneza

Jeanne was born in a family of 7 children, she lives with her parents, father is 57 and mother 54 years old, they all depend on agriculture activities, some of us had chances to continue their education, one is 3^rd year university, senior 1 in one of the schools around home and the last born is primary 3, then we sent our brother for carpentry at least to gain some knowledge. Her completed sewing program but she is home there is no income to buy a sewing machine.

Jeanne is a single mother with 3 children, since I met him he was not interested in explaining to me of where he came from, introducing to relatives, he abandoned the family and he never come back, It is really hard for me to get food and necessity for my children unless I get casual employment like working in the field, carrying stones in construction places, fetching water and other small jobs and all these were not supporting even ¼ of what we need.

This training opened up at a right time, not only gaining knowledge but washed away stress, loneliness and opened my eyes for tomorrow, I am hoping that everything I have achieved from city of joy will a key to the entire community. In conclusion, thanks in everything you do for us may our Lord multiply them.

Friday, September 23, 2011

City of Joy Business Plan

9/23/11

1 Project Overview • “City of Joy” will be a comprehensive Christian community of

services and experiences offered to all ages. • City of Joy will be located in the Village of Bikire, Ngwa Cell,

Mukingo Sector, Nyanza District, South Province, Rwanda. • The first phase will be the primary school-Joy Christian School

(JCS).

2 City of Joy Vision:

A Christ-centered community of loving God and loving others.

Mission: City of Joy, a faith- inspired organization, empowering people with Christian passion. Through formal and informal programs and experiences, City of Joy will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.

Value: To create a community of grace where the love of God is manifested in the love of neighbor through faith development, intellectual formation and community services (concern for the poor and marginalized).

3 Joy Christian School

Vision: To form Christ-like, intellectually competent and socially responsible leaders of tomorrow.

Mission: Joy Christian School, a faith inspired-organization, aims at empowering people with Christian passion, intellectual competency and strong social concern. Through formal and informal education, and economic empowering programs, Joy Christian School will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.

Christian School will achieve its core value of creating a community of grace.

Value: To create a community of grace where the love of God is manifested in the love of neighbor through faith development, competent intellectual formation and community services (concern for the poor and marginalized)

Why Joy Christian School (JCS)?

1. Christian Values -Loving God and loving others is the basis of the Christian faith

and this can change the world by challenging our students to exemplify

Jesus’ life. 2. Education system (recent change from French to English):

-Need for Strong and affordable English medium school. Currently, majority of poor and middle class Rwandans cannot afford quality education because of high charges by private schools. -Due to shortage of good English Medium schools, many parents send their children to neighboring countries, Uganda and Kenya.

3. Social Economic Realities: -Great need for economic empowerment of rural and poor urban communities (people who cannot afford quality education for their children). -Great need for socio-spiritual accompaniment due to the effects of the 1994 genocide.

Critical Factors/Hopes and Challenges

• Strengths – Founders’ international experience and English as their first

language. – Co-founder is an experienced teacher.

– Have initial capital to buy land – Dependable collaborators and supporters (churches and

charities) – Strong Local and international network

• Weakness – Both founders are not of Rwandese origin. – Dependence on donors and well wishers to fund the project. – Brand equity (new in the market).

• Opportuninities – Stable political atmosphere. – Accordance with recent changes in academic shift from

French to English medium of learning. – No strong competition. – High demand. – Low living and operation costs. – Many people from USA willing to volunteer as teachers and

Staff. • Challenges

– How to secure students who can contribute financially. – Enough source of Funds. – Competitors can copy our strategy.

Concept of JCS Beneficiaries

 472,000 children in Muhanga and Nyanza*  25% (118, 125) of children are from upper middle class

families which can afford tuition and boarding fees.

 35% (165, 200) are children of civil servants, small business holders, and farmers who can afford tuition fee and a certain percent of accommodation charges. These will need partial scholarships.

3 4

4 0% (188,800) are rural and poor urban residents; and orphans. Although they cannot afford private education, they can contribute to tuition fees through part-time jobs at JCS.

* Our estimates of the population of Muhanga and Nyanza, our target areas, is approximately 1.5 million. We assume that pre- school and school going children make up to 30% of the population

Joy Christian School’s Service Plan

Plan1 • Upper Middle Class

– Will pay full tuition fees. – Will pay up to 80% accommodation and transportation fees.

• Plan 2. • Middle Class

– Will pay 75% of tuition fees – Will have the options to either pay up to 80% accommodation

cost or to be day scholars and pay 50% of daily transport organized by Joy.

Plan3 • Rural and Urban poor

– Highly subsidized tuition and accommodation fees. – Parent will offer contribution in the form of labor—each

parent will do work at JCS once a week and the payment will

go into tuition fees. – Rural farmers will be given the opportunity to sell their

produce (food stuff and animal to JCS at a competitive price) and pay certain percentage to JCS for tuition and accommodation fees.

– They will be a priority for accommodation at school since they have no electricity and other amenities that support learning at home.

• Plan 4 – Community service through informal education whereby JCS

will engage rural and urban parents in income generating activities that will enable them to contribute toward education of their children at JCS.

Financial Forecasts-JCS Summary of Financial forecasts • Average tuition fee per child per year (year 1 to 6) $200. • Average salary per month $400 per person ($4,800/year/

person). • Cost of Construction of one classroom is $12,065. Total

construction cost (20 rooms by year 7) will be $241,300. • Teacher student ration is 1:20. • Aggressive fundraising of up to $560,000 by year 7. • Optimal use of facilities to generate income of $39,000 by the

end year 7. • Beginning of year 8 capital expenditure will decrease; less

construction of classrooms and offices. • Services revenue will increase beginning of year 8; wedding,

conference, summer camping, sports, etc charges.

Future Projects

• Community Church – weekly services, daily chapel time for students.

• Community Medical Clinic –serve the school and neighborhood.

• Community Center. – Public Library. – Recreation Center with swimming pool, weight room,

gymnasium, practice fields. • Fully accredited University. • Housing for staff. • Dormitories for children primary and secondary schools. • Vocational training center – English classes, sewing,

agriculture, carpentry... • Conference Center- host weddings and events- income

generator. • Missionary Training Center.

– Help train those called to be missionaries all around the world.

11 Action Plan 12 Benefits to the Community

• Economic Impact- create over 100 jobs in first three years. • Resources – many of the facilities will be open to the

community to use. – Public Library, Recreation Center with swimming pool, weight

room, gymnasium, practice fields. • Increase property values. • Attract many new business and families to relocate. • Vocational training center – sewing, agriculture, carpentry... • Conference Center. • Missionary Training Center.

– Help train those called to be missionaries all around the world.

• Teaching English to the adults-starting Jan. 2012.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Meet Febronie from the Sewing Class

Name: Febronie Mukamana

Married: Sunday, September 4th, 2011

Birth day: January 1^st 1981 Mukingo Sector, Nyanza

Father: Vincent Kayibanda

Mother: Belina Mukagatare

She was born in family of 7 children, 1 is a boy and 6 are girls. 2 are in secondary school s.2 and s. 1 at Nyanza Secondary school , we have been living with our mother because our father died in the 1994 Genocide when we were still young though am the first born so I took the responsibility to help our mother taking care of my brother and sister especially the ones at secondary school and the last born who is in primary school, I got married recently and it is a new experience in my life. Previously, my life was to stay home because I could not get financial support to complete my education, I had no job except growing food which was not enough to support in all we needed in daily life, the little we could get from agricultural activities was distributed to the students sometimes friends were adding some thing, I came to know city of Joy through cell leaders because I gave them bad time requesting support for secondary school and didn’t work, I joined other girls in sewing association, we trained making designs and different way of making clothes, developing friendship with girls from different areas and share life experience, am proud of what I have achieved, after the training am determined to apply the skills to help other girls and children in making our brighter future.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Just One Thing

Remember the scene in the movie City Slickers? Where Curley tells Billy Crystals character that the secret to life is "just one thing"! That just one thing is my theme in Rwanda in a funny way. You see life here is very different than America. In America I enjoyed multi-tasking and working on various projects and checking off those goals on the the "to do" list. Each day I would look forward to taking steps toward planned goals.

In Rwanda "the one thing" is just that..one thing. If as my friend Isaac at Victory Orphanage says, you can accomplish "one thing" in a day you should be feeling very proud. The pace of life, the lack of communication between government organizations and businesses all tend to bottle neck the process of "getting it done." So I have lowered my expectations dramatically. If I can accomplish one thing each day I will have an amazing week! Type A personality people may find Rwanda culture frustrating! lol

Open My Eyes Lord, I Want to See Jesus!

One of the misconceptions that I grew up with was that Western Christianity had all the answers and it was our job to share this with the world. My perspective has changed...dramatically. The song "Open My Eyes Lord" is now bringing truth to the matter. God is working all over this world. My narrow view of how God works has been widened through the years. God may work one way in America and in a very different way in Africa. Same God, same message of Jesus, same "substance" but different "forms" and "styles" that the Holy Spirit uses to speak the Truth.

A problem arises when we think that "form/style" is as sacred as the "substance". It is easy to apply American, Western "forms" to Africa. We want African Christians to act and speak like American Christians. We judge that someone doesn't have a valid faith because they don't express themselves the way we do.

I have learned a lot in our 16 months in Rwanda. I have learned to open my eyes and see God working in His Kingdom in ways that I had trouble seeing. I have learned to appreciate the many "styles" and "forms" that faith comes..all the while seeing that the substance of Jesus is constant. When we step aside and begin to see God and all that He is doing around us the world becomes a much more exciting place! Maybe our role as evangelists is just that...to help people see God working in this world! How irresistible is Jesus when we are able to see Him working all around us?

Friday, September 2, 2011

Meet Esther from the Sewing Class

Esther Niyonsengo
Esther was born in 1991. Her family has seven children. Esther's parents both died, her dad in 1994 (probably the genocide) and mother in 2000. Her oldest 2 sister got married and live far from her home.

Since 2007 Esther has been heading the household because she lives with 2 young brothers and a sister who was suppose to be in senior six but due to lack of tuition money she dropped out of school. Another brother is attending vocational training in carpentry work and the youngest sibling is in primary 2 (second grade).

To keep their life moving they grow some of their own food because they can’t get money to buy food. So every day her siblings work in the field.

During this time of hardship Esther got pregnant and the young man wouldn’t marry her. She is getting donations from friends to help her son, Allen, who is 1 years old.

After some time, her friends and her came up with an idea to form an association of young people who are heads of their households. Cell and Sector leaders came up with an idea of ways that they could develop themselves. Esther was invited to join a sewing class at City of Joy that would give her the skills to start her own business.

Esther hopes that her skills in making wonderful things, designs and clothes will develop into a career. She says she is encouraging her friends in the sewing class to work hard in order to improve the welfare of their families.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Women's Sponsorship Program

We are starting a new sponsorship program for women. For a 12 month $30/month commitment you will sponsor at-risk/vulnerable Rwandan woman giving her one-on-one mentoring experience to better herself in business and life. It may be starting a sewing, craft, farming or goat business...whatever best meets her needs. You will receive photos and stories of her progress. We will be working hand-in-hand with the local government helping widows and at-risk women.

Many women in our neighborhood do not have the opportunities that men have. Some are widowed from the genocide, others are neglected or abused. It is City of Joy's mission to reach out to these women and give them the hope of Jesus.

Gifts are tax deductible if given through our sponsoring church. Make checks payable to:

Living Hope Community Church
7925A N. Oracle #376
Tucson, AZ 85704

Enclose on a separate piece of paper "Todd and Andria- Women of Rwanda Sponsorships".

Or if you would rather donate through paypal (not tax deductible) you can donate with the paypal button located on this blog's home page. Please write a note "Women of Rwanda Sponsorships" on the last page of the paypal donation.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Two steps forward three? steps back

Trying to function as a nonprofit in Rwanda has it's challenges. The other day we met with the Land Developer for the District Government. We had done everything asked of us when it comes to negotiating privately with our neighbors to buy their land. John and Emmy (along with other government workers) had met three times over 2 months. When finally asked about price it was apparent that their idea of the value of their property wasn't in line with the actual value.

So the next step would be to get the government involved to set the price and to help residents move. The process is called expropriation. Land/house owners would receive less than what we would give them privately but it seemed to be the only option left. So we met with the Land Development guy expecting to get guidance of the next step in expropriation. Instead, we heard that they want us to continue to negotiate privately. The District wants us to write a letter to the Mayor and get his support. The District would then help us negotiate privately.

The only bright spot in this next step is if we can get the Mayor's approval. If we can obtain his support he can make sure that a fair price is given to landowners and that expropriation can be avoided. In reflection from our Thursday meeting I think everyone at the District would like to avoid the "work" of expropriation. If they really want City of Joy to succeed, like they say they would, then we will need the entire communities support.

Another option our Board talked about was the possibility of moving our project to another government chosen site. This would not be ideal but is an option. The District originally had a spot that they recommended to us that was in dire need of a school. We will keep praying that we are in line with God's timing and plan!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Architect

Today we are heading into Kigali. We need to develop a master plan of City of Joy. I really don't know what to expect. Pastor John recommended this architect. The builder, Alex, that Pastor John's wife Robyn used to build their school will also be at the meeting. The big question is cost. I am hoping the architect can do a sketch of City of Joy without much time or cost.

When you think of all the components: church, private Christian boarding school, university, vocational training center, sports center, medical clinic, community center...these all need room to be built and to grow.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Electricity & Land Update

On Friday John and Emmy (along with the Cell Leader, Josine) met with the landowners. We had meetings with nine landowners for the past 3 months and this was suppose to be the big "price negotiating" meeting. It ended up falling flat as landowners wanted unreasonable amounts for their property. Our mission center needs around 10 acres for the first phase of the school. It was clear that instead of negotiating privately we need to do the "official" expropriation that the government sets forth. Using the government method we will be able to have a set price/square meter and everyone will receive the same pricing. So we are in the process of finding an architect who can draw up a master plan of our mission center. Once we have all of our documents ready we submit them to the District who will then help us buy land.

Before the meeting started we had a visitors from Kigali and Ruhungo. These were executives from the power company. They came to survey our project to see if it qualifies for a special program to bring electricity to rural areas. The good news of the day is that it looks like we will qualify and that we potentially could have electricity by the end of the year!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hope 4 Women/Dress a Girl Around the World

Rachel Eggum Cinader sent me this message: "We are planning to do a Rwanda/Uganda trip in April of 2012--I'll be promoting it to my sewing friends at CCOJ. Hope 4 Women/Dress a Girl want to commit to raising the $10,000 for the sewing/community center and we will also sponsor women."

What joy this bought us today! Hope 4 Women is a division of www.Hope4Kidsinternational.org with Tom Eggum. We are very excited about our future partnership with Rachel and Tom.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Praise Report

We are excited about all that God is doing in Rwanda. Yesterday Emmy and John met with local land owners and convinced them to sell part of their property to City of Joy's school project! This has been a three month negotiation and convincing. We hope to have a price for the land by next week and shortly after that make the purchase. This will give us enough property to start the primary school. Please pray for a fair price for the land!

John Kayitare's wife, Hope, is starting her fourth year of a finance degree. She should be able to get a job at a bank next year. Hope has been receiving funding from an outside source. Abruptly those funds were taken from her this fall. She was in desperate need! The money is due August 20th.

Kids Play International, Tracy Evans, stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park! Tracy heard of Hope's need and went to action. Tracy was able to raise the money needed ($882) for the first of two semesters in less than a week. Tracy hopes to have the rest of the money for the second semester raised too. God is so good. He is good all the time!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

This is Africa

Yesterday our business manager, Emmy, and I traveled into Kigali (1:45min) to first pick up our nonprofit document that was signed and to meet with the electric company about getting power to our house and projects. Our meeting with the electric company went from one office to another. Finally we were directed to the office across town for the program called-Rural Roll Out Program. The Program has criteria that must be met (i.e. distance to nearest power lines, number of potential customers...) if those criteria are met we then qualify for a significant discount off the $250,000 quote that we have already received. The frustrating part is that it has taken 11 months to finally be directed to the correct department. We now will resubmit an application to this department and see if we qualify.

Between traveling to the different offices we decided to stop and pick up our nonprofit documents. We arrived at the Ministry of Justice Department and were told that the document was not ready. I reminded the woman that she had just called us yesterday to tell us we could pick it up. She told us to come back in one hour and it would be ready. So long story, somewhat short, we did receive our documents! We now need to submit them to be published in a Gazette for $400...THEN we will be an official NGO (nongovernment organization)!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Project Update

City of Joy is a Mission Center and will one day include: School (nursery-secondary), University, Church, Medical Clinic, Community Center & Library, Sports Fields, Vocational Training Center & Missionary Training Center. Our first goal has been to obtain a nonprofit status for City of Joy in Rwanda. All the papers have been submitted and we are waiting. While we are waiting we have started a sewing class with 26 young women. We are training them in a 12 month program and have purchased a plot of land for a Vocational Training Center where they will be able to make a living sewing. Other community programs that we have started are: Goat Giveaway-146 goats at $30/goat have been donated; Rabbit Giveaway-49 rabbits @$3/rabbit; 1 cow has been donated ($300), an after school sports program has been started by Kids Play International that City of Joy is managing; Student Sponsorships-8 students ($52 secondary & $20 for primary students) have received money for help to go to school. Our sewing class has provided over 20 uniforms for other needy students.

City of Joy is negotiating with local land owners for school property. We hope to in the coming months purchase enough land so that we can start a nursery and kindergarten. Then as money is available we will expand our school. As with all things in Rwanda, it takes more time than expected. The cogs of government move slowly and we are patiently waiting. Electricity is one project that we have been waiting for word for almost 10 months. We hope to qualify for a Roll Out Program that would bring electricity to our neighborhood at a discount rate. The cost to bring electricity to City of Joy apart from the Roll Out Program is over $200,000!

Guesthouse Under Construction

Construction in underway for a four bedroom guesthouse. With all the guests that we have had in the past 2 months we have decided that a guesthouse would be important to have. The guesthouse will be four small rooms with beds and private bathrooms. We will need around $2,000 to complete the house. We hope to have it completed by January.

The guesthouse is located on the property next our house. It will have a porch overlooking the valley. Guests will be welcome to participate in a number of projects. This past summer we worked with the local schools teaching English by using Bible stories. Mission Teams are welcome any time of the year!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hope 4 Kids International

Angie Simon from Hope 4 Kids International came and visited us for 4 days last week. She brought pillowcase dresses along and we went to a school and gave them to needy children. To see the girls eye's light up was such a good feeling. For many of them this was the first new dress they have ever worn!

Dress a Gril Around the World is part of Hope 4 Kids International. We are excited about our future relationship with this nonprofit. H4KI will return next year and will build a well in our neighborhood. We thank God for all that He is doing in Rwanda!

It Happened Again

Another horrific accident scene....As we approached I saw the plastic orange sandal in the middle of the road and skid marks. A crowd had gathered. Apparently a bicyclist carrying milk from local farmers hit a young boy as he crossed the road. The impact carried them both 100 feet down the road (at the bottom of a big hill) and off into the grass. The young boy lay motionless with the raw meat of his face exposed. His skin had some how been peeled back off half of his face. The milk man had less visible injuries but we suspected internal damage.

They loaded them into the back of our car. So many people had passed by before we stopped, they told us. We rushed them to the hospital 10 minutes away in Nyanza. While we traveled I prayed that God would heal these boys. I am not one that usually has a stomach for such things, but I thank God that we were there to help.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sewing Center Land Bought

John and Emmy negotiated a plot of land (29x26 yards) for $343. We will use this land to build a Sewing Center for the sewing association. In December 33 women will graduate from our training and will need a building to develop careers. We will continue to manage the Sewing Center and it will have a profit sharing component. The new land is located directly across the street from our house.

The $343 included money for taxes as well as "beer money" for the witnesses. The contract is handwritten by the Land Development guy from the government.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Scape Goat

The Old Testament story of how the priests of the Israelites would "lay hands" on a goat symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the animal. Then the goat was let out into the desert to carry the sins away from the community. Thus the term "scape goat" was born.

We give away donated goats in Rwanda. We have given 146 donated goats to needy families. A goat can change the life of a family here. A $30 goat would be like giving someone 1 months salary in the U.S. The goats first born will be given to another needy family ....so the gift continues to give. Every time we give away goats I am reminded of the scape goat from the Old Testament. I pray that as the Israelites experienced a kind of "new start" that our neighbors in Rwanda would also have a new start from a new heart through Jesus.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Team Visits City of Joy

A team from Bloomsburg Christian Church came and visited us today. They are looking for possible partnerships with our project City of Joy. We had a great time of food and fellowship. We shared our vision of a private Christian school. It was a delightful day!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Buddy our Dog

I have a new exercise partner. I four legged one. In America, Sabrina, our black lab mix would run with me out in the desert. I miss those days. But one day our dog Buddy (we have two dogs that we inherited when we moved to John's farm: Buddy a male and Topie a female) started running with me....then he even ran along with me on my bike ride. Now he waits at the front door for me every morning, anxiously wanting me to get going.

Dogs aren't well liked in Rwanda. Many of our neighbors are afraid of Buddy. This morning Buddy ran up on a pig. The poor pig didn't notice him until he was right in his grill! The pig let out with a squeal and high tailed it to his owners backyard. Buddy thought all of this was great entertainment and made sure the pig knew who was boss. I yelled at Buddy to stop..after all it was 5:45am and many people were still sleeping. Buddy wanted to chase the pig some more but I convinced him to stop. I think I need the dog whisperer's help!

Goats, cows and things

You can specify what your donation goes toward by submitting it in the "notes" on the donation page. $30/goat; $300/cow; $25/child primary school education supplies & $50/child secondary school; $30/month for 12 months to sponsor a "Women of Rwanda"- (at-risk women) in a mentoring "start-up business" program.

Or just give a general gift and it will be used where it is needed most.

Go to www.cityofjoyonline.org to donate. All gifts are tax deductible.

Go to blog posted on Feb. 13th 2012 for more information on donating.

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You can follow us on Facebook at "City of Joy-Rwanda".