Living Free

Most of us have never experienced not being free.  We have experienced laws and rules that shape our freedom of choice, but we have always been free to live where we want, go to school where we want, and work where we want.  What a valuable gift!  It is shameful we don't recognize on a daily or moment by moment basis how precious this gift of freedom really is.

I was meeting with Heritage this past month, and I asked him about life in the Congo.  He told me brief stories of life in a region where discriminatory boundaries were the norm.  Those known as Congolese Tutsi were persecuted and injured, many killed - life for them was not free.  He mentioned being forced to be a child soldier - he was not free.

Now, after living in America for a few years, it must at times be overwhelming to witness those who unknowingly take their freedom for granted.  I think if it was me, I would want to shout, "Wake up America, see what you have.  Cherish it, embrace it, realize that what you have is what others only dream and pray for!"

Please, don't let life carry on without understanding the power and price of freedom.  Use your freedom to help those in bondage.  Thank someone, perhaps a military person or someone who participated in the civil rights movement, or even local activists who strive to free those in modern day slavery. 

"Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being.  With freedom comes responsibility."~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. ~ Nelson Mandela

Rwanda? But That's A Dangerous Place

Whenever I talk to random Americans about Foundation of Hope and I say we are working in Rwanda, the response is generally the same - the face scrunches up and something like, "Oh, that's a dangerous place," is the next thing I hear!

I then proceed to explain that Rwanda is more stable than most of its neighbors, the economy is improving, etc.  But, given the surrounding warring nations, and a history of violence due to "tribal" division, I do wonder could events that occurred in 1994 be possible again?

One of the values of FOH is to become a grassroots organization in Rwanda that promotes unity amongst all Rwandans; to no longer worry if you are Tutsi or Hutu, or whatever.

Just as Martin Luther King, Jr worked for equality here in a divided America, we want to teach the next generation to put down their weapons and love their neighbor.  We should celebrate our unique differences, not fight about it.  As each generation passes, this message blurs the lines that divide us and allow people to come together, either as Americans, or Rwandans.

In just 50 years, our nation has seen a huge shift from segregation to a more integrated society (don't get me wrong, there is still division and more work to be done, but it is way better than it used to be).  My daughter will learn of the history of slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement.  She may even think that the civil rights movement happened in the dark ages!  It will seem like so long ago to her!  The reality is that it was just a few decades ago, her grandparents were living and restricted by segregation laws in the South.  Now, opportunities abound for her because a dedicated, anointed group of people followed their calling to fight for equality.

Now, it is Foundation of Hope's turn to continue to build the bridges of peace, here and in the far reaches of the world.  "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ready for Fall

Summer has flown by.  Where does the time go?  The leaves are trying to change color (too early I might add), and school starts tomorrow for some and the rest next week! 

Foundation of Hope had a wonderful time ministering with the African Heritage Network in July.  The speaker spent time praying for the leaders who were present, which included Bishop Samuels from Rwanda, Pastor Mike, and Heritage.  It was a beautiful time of worship and confirmation of the good work that God wants us to pursue. 

It was exciting to sing and present and the WMI luncheon at General Conference...it was the total multimedia experience with the jumbo screens and huge stage!  Resettled African children from New Hope and another church in PA sang before one of the evening services and at a luncheon the next day...they ROCKED!  What an experience for them, to sing before 1,000 people on Wednesday night!

I heart is being challenged in the last few days.  I am learning as much as I can about the war torn regions of Africa, specifically Uganda and the Sudan.  I am so troubled by the stories and the lack of response by the rest of the world.  As I continue to work with FOH, I pray that we will be a force that God uses to help these people...all those displaced by violence and war.  I wish that there was an easy way to fix their problems, but since there isn't, we need to work hard, harder than ever to meet the needs of people all over the world who are suffering.

I recommend the following documentaries (for those who are not faint of heart).  There is graphic content regarding genocide and violence, so please do not watch with children around.  I recommend "War Dance" which is a story of 3 children in a refugee camp in Northern Uganda and their school choir who qualify for a national music competition.  Their stories include a young girl whose aunt forces her to work like a slave since she is orphaned, a young boy who wants to be the best xylophone player in Uganda who was abducted and forced to be a child soldier, and a girl who loves to sing and dance and is still mourning the murder of her father.  I also recommend "The Devil Came on Horseback", but this is very graphic.  It is a shameful example of how the world just stands by while horrors occur in Sudan.  "God Grew Tired of Us"  follows several resettled Lost Boys of Sudan as they move to the US.  It gives a wonderful glimpse into their struggles and offers insight into how, as Americans, we could do more to help and nurture those who arrive to a whole new world.

God bless all those who read our blog.  I pray that we can work together to fulfill our mission of helping those in need.