Mission Team Visits Urukundo

Mission Team from England stayed at Urukundo for a few nights. Soccer was the favorite pastime!
A team from North Phoenix Baptist came to visit. Their travels to Urukundo were somewhat eventful. The team flew into Johannesburg and missed their midnight connecting flight to Rwanda. So instead of arriving on Wednesday they arrived Thursday night late. On the way to pick them up at the airport our sedan broke down. We were stuck at a gas station with one good vehicle and one not so good. What do we do now? The team is arriving in 30 minutes and we are still trying to get our second vehicle going. We need both cars because the team is too many to fit in one.

We called our friends Isaac and Serrina from Victory Orphanage. They own an old model Land Cruiser that has seats in the back that run perpendicular to the front seats. Finally we got a hold of them and were on our way. Long story short, we picked them up in the "safari mobile" and were headed home to Urukundo (an hour drive). What an adventure!

Friday was filled with laughter and sharing. Andria's junior high youth leaders were Dan and Cindy Snead, so they had fun remembering some youth trips to Mexico and other places that Andria's faith was formed. It was like have family visit. Very encouraging!!

We showed them Urukundo and future spots for a school and clinic. We then took them to the market for a fun, chaotic experience of what it is like to shop for your daily needs. Our final destination was John's farm. A 45 minute drive and we were at his property. Kids came swarming and wanted to meet the visitors. Cameras took some great shots as children crowed around to see what they looked like in the little windows of a camera.

Overall it was a fun day and Saturday came too quickly as we took them into Kigali for some craft shopping, lunch (German Bakery) and to the airport. Thanks to Pastor Dick, Juan, Jennifer, Cindy and Dan!

We also had another team of young people from England. The four young men from their team stayed in Hope House for four days. They spent their time traveling to schools and villages bringing the joy of Jesus. They were from a community church in England. Today, Sunday, we heard from Sam as he shared his testimony. God was so good to us with two teams and some new and old friends!

Secondary School Kids Return

Discor and nine other children returned from boarding school on Friday, July 16th for a month long break. Urukundo has 37 total children for the next 30 days. There are also Papa John and Mama Hope's children (another nine) that are just as much a part of the Urukundo family! Life with the secondary school children home is very good. Boarding schools are the best way to ensure a good education and life skills. We send our children to King David's Academy. A christian boarding school about an hour away. It is the oldest boarding school in Rwanda. King David's Academy has taught our children well. The first morning with the high schoolers brought a list of chores that were completed without us even asking! The maturity between those in boarding school and those in primary is big...not only because of age but because of life experience.

We hope all our children can go to boarding school for their secondary education. It costs much more than public schools but it is worth the investment. The need for quality education is so evident with the return of our children. Education creates opportunities. Christian education empowers young people to be the Christ-led leaders of tomorrow. We hope to see many more schools developing as more and more children seek to further their lives through education.

Babies, Babies Everywhere!

Eight children stay in the nursery. The nursery is located in the boy's dorm. We (Todd and Andria) stay in one of the rooms of the boy's dorm. Do you have any idea what the noise level is at 6AM with all those babies? If they weren't so cute, it would be easy to get a little cranky some mornings!

Our children from Hillie at 3 months to Claude, who is 4 years old the nursery is always filled with great energy. The picture above is what each morning looks like during bath time. It is quite a job giving eight children baths! Vaseline is then smeared all over the children. This apparently is an African thing..it seems to work well for their skin! We love our babies! If you ever want to come and share some of your love, you are always welcome to Rwanda!

Living Water International

Having clean, accessible water is a luxury in Rwanda. Most homes have no running water. Woman and girls are relegated to "fetching" water every day (the picture above is of a woman who filled her Jerry can while we were watching and was hiking up a very steep hill to bring water back to her house). For girls this usually means no school because the distance it takes to go for water takes up most of their day. Jerry cans are the most common container for water. Large or small they are visible all over Rwanda. They are made of plastic and are yellow and look to hold 3 to 5 gallons. Whether it is being balanced on a head or strapped on to the back of a bicycle, Jerry cans are the main container used to get water from the source.

Urukundo is fortunate. They have water from the big company Electrogaz. It is like having "city water". It is piped into our property and stored in large plastic tanks. The water is filtered for drinking. During the dry season the water runs dry (dry season can last from 1 to 3 months). A couple of weeks ago the water stopped coming for three days. We were afraid that we would have a longer than usual dry season. Fortunately the water has come back (usually just in the evenings) and has filled our tanks again. The cost for water is anywhere from $400-$600/month to have Electrogaz as our supplier. This expense increases during the dry season when we have to haul water from the "swamp". The cost of fuel and labor makes water even more expensive during our dry season.

So we started calling everyone we knew to see if they had any contacts with well drilling companies. We recently had Living Water International visit our campus. They are a Christian organization that specializes in drilling wells and sharing Jesus. They came and gave us a bid of $20,000 to drill a well below our property for the community (an estimated 3,000 adults and children will directly benefit from this well). Then a pump will be installed to bring water to Urukundo from this community well.

We are praying to see if this is the best course of action. We need to raise part of the funds to have Living Water International dig.

Mama Arlene and Lilliane travel to the U.S.

Above pictured is Mama Arlene with Lilliane on her left surrounded by children saying goodbye before they left for the airport.

Below is the three and one half month "tour" that Mama Arlene and Lilliane will be experiencing. We hope you can connect with them somewhere along their travels.

Mama Arlene’s Itinerary as of June 21, 2010

Arlene Brown’s cell phone number while in the states: 570-205-0170

DATE/ HOST/ NOTES
June 24 - 27 -Patricia Brown and Dale Bauman, 301 Overdale Rd., Pittsburgh, PA
pdbrown@spiritworks.org
412-999-1912

June 26- Visit with Carolyn Maroncelli, (CEO, Nittany Valley Charter School)daughter Cassidy and grandaughter Erin 10:00 or 10:30 am

June 27- 11:15 a.m. Turtle Creek UMC Charge
200 Church St., Turtle Creek, PA 412-823-1988
mcmaster@nb.net P.D. Brown- Host Sermon Time 11: 15 a.m.
Luncheon @ 1:00 p.m.

June 27 - July 1 Patricia Brown and Dale Bauman, Pittsburgh, PA. Family visit and rest.

July 2- Ted and Sherri Brown, Jersey Shore, PA
570-398-0165
brown ted guitartb@hotmail.com

July 3- Escort -Ted and Sherri Brown Family wedding, Williamsport, PA

July 3 - 5- Ted and Sherri Brown, Jersey Shore, PA.

July 6 - 11- Jacquelyn Brown-Fink 1907 Kenwood Ave. Apt. 2
Wmspt. PA 17701 570-974-5698.

July 11-12- St. John’s UMC
2101 Newberry Street, Williamsport, PA 17701-1361
stjnsecretary1@verizon.net 570/326-5569
Rev. Craig Faust stjnpastor@verizon.net
Sat. 5:30 pm Worship -Sunday Sermon Time- 8:15 am, 10:45 am

July 12 - 16 -Terry Masch
5137 Clover Court
Harrisburg PA. 17111
TAOM1959@comcast.net 717-319-6935

July 17-18 Fairplay Gospel Fellowship 1625 Walnut St 17740- 1638 Jersey Shore, PA (570) 398-0541
Mike and Shelly Guiswite
570-651-5995 Sermon Time
Housing: John and Sally Guiswite
jgsg1958@ovalinternet.net (570) 745-3170. (Home) JGSG1958@chilitech.net

July 19 - 24- Tina Pennington Raised Hands for Africa
252-232-1034-mommahouse4@hotmail.com
Visit, Housing, and “Special Dinner” TBA

July 21- (Wednesday) New Life of Christian Fellowship of Currituck 4134 Caratoke Highway
Barco NC 27917
252-453-2773 newlifecurrituck@embrqmail.com
Time 7:00 pm Host - Tina Pennington

July 25- Morning Worship -Time TBA
Heilman/Warrensville United Methodist Churches Connie Waugh constance41@verizon.net

July 25- Host - Loyalsock/Wallace Run /Beach Valley Run UMC, no contact infor. Pastor Marie
Location: Bethel UMC, no contact infor. 6:30 pm - Engagement and refreshments -Marilyn Ely Marilynely@aol.com

July 25 - 27- Jerry and Janet Brown, S. 345 Winthrop St.
S. Williamsport PA 17701-570-326-9435
gbrown1740@hotmail.com

July 28- Park Forest UMC
1833 Park Forest Ave. State College, PA, 16802
Lee Ellenberger pastor.pfvumc@juno.com
PIck up midafternoon. Presentation
Event 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Simply Soup and Vacation Bible School

July 29- Clintondale, Lamar Charge
Joan Gordon -Engagement address to be supplied.

July 28 - 31- Jerry and Janet Brown, S. 345 Winthrop St.
Williamsport PA 17701
570-326-9435 -gbrown1740@hotmail.com Family visit.

July 31- Escort: Jerry and Janet Brown Williamsport, Family Wedding-August 1 Howard UMC, Craig Rose
Main Street
Howard, PA 16841
(814) 625-2362 craigqr@yahoo.com Worship Time TBA

August 3-4- New Bloomfield
United Methodist Women Picnic, 6:30 p.m.
@ Home of George and Carrie Lyter
75 Kathryn Drive PO Box 327
New Bloomfield, PA 17068
717-582-4545 Overnight Host - Ruth Cox organist@embarqmail.com

August 1-7-Marilyn Ely, Williamsport, PA marilynely@aol.com
PO Box 445

August 5- Hughesville Friends, Ecroyd Missionary Circle
137 South 3rd Street
Hughesville, Pa. 17737 570-584-2686 136 W. Main St

August 8- Newberg UMC
Phyllis Hunter -pahwgh@embarqmail.com
Cumberland United Methodist Charge- Hopewell, Otterbein
15634 Paxton Run Road
Newburg, PA. 17240 -O 717 - 423 – 5218
H 717 – 423 – 6714 New Bloomfield, PA 17068

August 8 - 15- Barbara and John Downs
2016 Lincoln St.-Williamsport, PA 17701 570-447-8443
bdowns44@msn.com 717-582-8803

August 15- Phelps Chapel UMC
68 Phelps Chapel Rd Jersey Shore, PA 17740 570-753-2661.
Donna Timblin bigwoods@kcnet.org
Worship Time 9:30 a.m.
Sandy Myers PO Box 367, McElhattan, Pa. 17748, 570-769-6338
samyers@kcnet.org.

August 15- Clintondale-Lamar Charge
Clintondale Church
103 Fishing Creek Road, Mill Hall, PA 17751
(570) 726-3562
6:00 pm Contact - Joan Gordon
(570) 726-3215 jgordon26@embarqmail.com

August 16 - 20-Reston, VA Region Visit and Housing Kathy Kelley-katkell400@comcast.net 1991 Lakeport Way Reston, Va 20191- 703-537-8491

August 19- Evening home meet-and-greet gathering. Home of Kathy Kelley -SEE ABOVE

August 21 - 23- Community of Grace Lutheran Church, Meeting at Zuni Hills Elementary 10851 W. Williams Rd, Peoria, AZ
Worship times: 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Contact - Michelle Halonen-Director of Administration
Community of Grace Lutheran Church 623.572.0050

Host Home - Richard Reckmeyer 14109 North 69th Drive
Peoria, AZ 85381 623.979.7555

August 24- Valley Lutheran High School,5199 N. 7th St., Phoenix 85013 602-230-1600
Presentations @ schools -Valley @ 11 a.m Scottsdale @ 8:30 a.m. Hosts - Julie Duke- julcrowe@aol.com

August 26- Scottsdale Academy, 6315 East Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254-3858 480/368-2787 Sheri Moy - Principal

August 24 - 29- New Covenant Lutheran
15152 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard Scottsdale, AZ 85260-2869 (480) 860-0169 Worship Time
Saturday, 5 p.m.
Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m.

August 30 - Sept. 5- Santa Maria, CA
Barbeque with “Greet-and-Meet” Karen Lake-Champain
klakeshampain@charter.net 700 Whimbrell Ct., Nipomo, CA 93444-805-929-4776

Sept. 6 - 13- McAllen, TX Host-Sharon Landis
sharon@hopemadereal.org 7201 N. 28th Street
McAllen TX 78504 814-599-0929 956-627-1003

Sept. 13 - 18- Williamsport, PA Host: Mary Ruth Barner
4228 Elimsport Road Montgomery, PA 17752 mrbarner@comcast.net

Sept. 19 - 24 -Kathy Keller k_keller1@yahoo.com
224 Locust St., Wrightsville, PA 717-252-4640 Staying at Guest House N. Front St., in Wrightsville, PA c/o Mike Edleblute

Sept. 19- Locust St. UMC
314 Locust St., Wrightsville, PA 717-252-2609 10:15 am Guest Speaker

Sept. 25 - 26- Christ Church, 6 South Race Street New Ringgold, PA 17960 (McKeansburg, PA) Worship Time
Christ 8:45 am Zion 10:45 am Pastor/Host - Sunny Stock slstock@hughes.net 572 Berne Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

Sept. 26- Zion Church Lewistown Valley, 489 Valley Rd. Tamaqua, PA 18252

Sept. 27 - 28- Williamsport, PA Mary Ruth Barner (see above)

Sept. 29- Ecumenical Luncheon, United Churches of Lycoming County, Pine Street United Methodist Church, 441 Pine Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 Presentation 12 - 1 p.m.
Gwen Bernstine uclc@sunlink.net cell 570-419-1464
Lunch served 11:45 - 12:15 Program 12:25 - 1:00 United Churches: 570-322-1110

Sept. 30 - Oct. 7 -Cindy Grieshaber cgries453@yahoo.com
(H)610-954-0827 (C)610-657-0717 4120 Washington St.
Bethlehem, PA 18020

Oct. 2- Wesley United Methodist Church
2540 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-865-5715 Time to be announced.

Oct. 8 - 11- 301 Overdale Rd., Pittsburgh, PA
pdbrown@spiritworks.org 412-999-1912 Patricia D. Brown
Fly home from Pittsburgh to Rwanda

Baby "Hillie" arrives

A baby boy arrived April 24th. His mother died after leaving the hospital. His story is sad. His mother gave birth at the hospital but with no money she could not stay there. She was discharged shortly after the birth to return to her village. The village is far out in the hills and a motor bike was the cheapest mode of transportation. The roads are one big rut after another. She got on the bike with her new born son in her arms and started for home. The ride was rough and she did not heal well after the birth and so started to hemorrhage severely. The ride was over an hour and her life’s blood was draining from her body. I am told she died on the way home still clutching her baby boy in her arms. When the driver realized she was in trouble it was too late there was nothing he could do.

He is beautiful. He is loved and his name is Hildbrandt. Called Hillie.

He is loved by all. Hillie is seven weeks old now. He has developed expressions in his brow when he wants to tell you something. He almost is cracking a complete smile. He "coos" and "ahhhs" and follows action with his eyes. His life started out so sad but we are praying that this is just the beginning of a great story for him.

Recently he was sponsored by the Monical family from Scottsdale. Jordan Monical is in college and was at Urukundo with a team from New Covenant Church. She fell in love with Hillie and told her parents that a sponsorship would be the best thing. So the Monicals are now sponsoring Hillie for $600/yr.

Dolls That Change Lives

My cousin Rennae in Grand Forks, North Dakota organized family and friends to purchase dolls for the young children at Urukundo. Andria brought them over with her and yesterday came the day that we gave most of the dolls out to the children. At first the children were hesitant like they didn't understand that this was a gift for THEM. But soon they were loving their dolls like they were their own children. Today many of them had their "babies" with them to lunch. Some had them on their backs like the real mamas carry their babies, others were carefully feeding their dolls and making sure that their needs were being met. Something so small that we take for granite can make a huge difference in the lives of children in Rwanda.

I shouldn't be surprised. Jesus does the same in our lives. Much of the time we don't understand the free gift he is given. But then when we finally relax and realize that it is OURS we began to unwrap the wonderful gift of grace! My cousin Rennae has a heart of gold (as do all those who helped). I know that this gift of dolls was "baked" in prayer and sent with love.