Lillian, with the red shirt under the yellow, never finished high school. Her family is poor and they could not afford the fees (approx. $50). We didn't realize when we hired her to work on the Women's Community Center that she was a high school dropout. When it came to our attention we asked her if she wanted to go back to school. Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew how important an education is to her future. We have paid for her way and she is now in school!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Lillian goes to school
Lillian, with the red shirt under the yellow, never finished high school. Her family is poor and they could not afford the fees (approx. $50). We didn't realize when we hired her to work on the Women's Community Center that she was a high school dropout. When it came to our attention we asked her if she wanted to go back to school. Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew how important an education is to her future. We have paid for her way and she is now in school!
Monday, February 20, 2012
New Sewing Class to Start
We are so excited! The local government has identified the next group of boys and girls for the sewing class! The first class has now formed a sewing coop. We are helping them establish themselves in the community and will hopefully make enough money to support their families. The new group will start as soon as we raise enough money for supplies. They need around $25/week for the first 3 months to get them going. Notebooks, pens, fabric, thread, etc. will get them started on their exciting new adventure. In April both groups will move over to the Women's Center to have class and run their coop. But for the time being they will meet next to our house in a couple of the rooms.
The Manly Reunion
Yesterday we had a lunch at the Ricker's house. We invited some friends we hadn't seen in a while. It was so nice to reconnect after so many years. In the picture above is Tyson, Todd (me), Mike, Elli and Jeff; all of us plus Chris and Leland were part of a men's group that started meeting around 2001 or so. The men's group was an important part of my life. They helped me navigate through a divorce and other ups and downs. It is amazing to me that God has kept such incredible men in my life for so long.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Living Hope Community Church of Tucson
Living Hope Community Church
Mari, Casey, Andria and Ella
(Dave Lynn, Todd, Pastor Dave)Yesterday we drove down to Tucson to speak at Living Hope Community Church. My good friend Dave Lynn (well known author and writer) is on the leadership team and has been our connection with them. LHCC bailed us out last year when we needed a church to collect donations for City of Joy. We are so appreciative for their help this past year. Now we have www.joytotheworldfoundation.org working with us on donations.
I shared stories of lives being changed in Rwanda. I showed how Jesus is alive in Rwanda and he is bringing great hope for a better future. After the worship service we had breakfast and small group discussion. The questions were so good! LHCC worships around 70 people on a typical weekend. They meet in a school. They are small but their is a feel of what you read in the book of Acts of the house church movement. God is using Living Hope to do some incredible things in this world.
Andria's cousin Casey and our college age friend from New Covenant Church, Mari, were both there and we had a great time after church getting burgers at In and Out Burger. Mari was part of the team that came over to visit Rwanda when we first moved their 2 years ago. She is thinking of doing something in the public health field and is very interested in visiting us in Rwanda for a long term visit.
How to Donate to City of Joy
We have a new partnership with an incredible company to help us manage our donations. You can now donate money to City of Joy by going to www.joytotheworldfoundation.org and receive a tax deduction for every donation.
Just choose "City of Joy" as the operating project. Put a note of where you would like your donation to go and leave us your email if we don't have it so we can thank you and send you information on your donation.
The company charges 3% to manage our funds and to send letters to donors for their tax preparations. Credit cards are an additional 3% in merchant fees. Checking account transfers are the most economical way to donate because the additional 3% is not charged. You can also specify automatic reoccurring gifts.
As soon as we get our website up and running we will try to streamline the donation page even more.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Generosity in any language
Lately I have been blown away by people's kindness. After living in Rwanda for the past 21 months I didn't know what to expect in the states. Would I be disappointed with Americans and the way we live while we visited from Jan. to April? Not at all.
Yesterday we were at Paradise Bakery and the manager gave us all a free lunch because she felt like we waited to long in line for our food. If she only knew that restaurants in Rwanda take 3 hours to serve food to you. If she only knew that we weren't at all bothered by the wait (we did tell her that).
Today my good friend Don Reddy gives Andria an extra phone he had to use for free! We were given a beautiful house to stay in while in Phoenix. The house is located in picturesque Fountain Hills. From the drive way we have a magnificent view of the Four Peaks and Superstition Mountains. Every day we can relax and feel the beauty of God's creation as we listen to his voice.
Every speaking engagement and luncheon we hear stories of commitment and sacrifice that followers of Jesus are making. Today I listened to leaders at NPBC share how God's Spirit is moving in Phoenix. I certainly am not disappointed but encouraged!
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