I have been lazy about posting updates on the blog this summer. I am trying to get back into the groove again. This summer has been full of activity and the time just goes by too fast.
The choir was invited back to Cattaraugus Christian Camp for a concert in July. Besides getting very lost on the way there, we had a great time. It was the last concert that Princesse would be a part of for a while, since she was moving to Rwanda to begin her new job with GoEd. We miss her so much, but she has been keeping us updated on Facebook regularly.
A team from New Hope Church was in Rwanda this past summer, ministering at Kibogora Hospital for much of their time there. Heritage and Princesse were a part of the team as well, providing translation for the group. Heritage remained in Rwanda to continue the work of FOH and to spend time with his wife and daughter. The children involved with FOH in Rwanda met with the team members. Pastor Mike was impressed with the current work and with the vision of FOH in that region. He met with Felix and stated that he is well organized and really looking out for the best interest of the children. I am looking forward to more updates as Heritage comes home from Rwanda at the end of September.
Kigeme
Refugee Camp Visit (Letter from Felix)
On Friday, August 17th
this year, I visited one of the many refugee camps here in Rwanda.
It was shocking and
heart breaking to see where thousands of children and people are staying and
what they are eating.
The choir was invited back to Cattaraugus Christian Camp for a concert in July. Besides getting very lost on the way there, we had a great time. It was the last concert that Princesse would be a part of for a while, since she was moving to Rwanda to begin her new job with GoEd. We miss her so much, but she has been keeping us updated on Facebook regularly.
A team from New Hope Church was in Rwanda this past summer, ministering at Kibogora Hospital for much of their time there. Heritage and Princesse were a part of the team as well, providing translation for the group. Heritage remained in Rwanda to continue the work of FOH and to spend time with his wife and daughter. The children involved with FOH in Rwanda met with the team members. Pastor Mike was impressed with the current work and with the vision of FOH in that region. He met with Felix and stated that he is well organized and really looking out for the best interest of the children. I am looking forward to more updates as Heritage comes home from Rwanda at the end of September.
Kigeme
Refugee Camp Visit (Letter from Felix)
The Kigeme Refugee Camp is the very
recent refugee camp located in the Southern province of Rwanda in Nyamagabe
District.
The Purpose of our visit was just
to learn on how there Congolese are doing. We had similar experiences as these
refugees, which break our heart to see the kind of life they are bringing here
in Kigeme Camp. We wanted to share words of encouragements and hope and that is
what we did.
Children are
almost always vulnerable and that is what you can see in Kigeme Camp. In less
than two months that this camp was opened, 25 kids have died. This is an
average of at least a child or two per day. Actually, two kids died on the day
I visited.
(A funeral
ceremony of one of the child that passed away)
My role in the Foundation of Hope
is to coordinate FOH’s work that includes visiting the kids and making sure
their problems are known to the FOH in the United States.
Up until today, we have cases of
children who come to us, children with needs beyond our ability to provide.
Therefore, it is the time to work hard and build God’s kingdom.
They’re so many prayer requests
including:
·
Please pray for the families that lost their
kids and pray for the kid’s health.
·
Please pray for peace in the eastern Region of
Congo
·
If God puts something on your heart to help,
please email us or donate to the FOH Rochester NY
·
Please join foundation of hope to support need
people together we can meet their needs nothing can stop us.
·
If we are willing to open our heart and let the
things breaks God’s heart break our on heart
·
We can change the things that government cannot
change we are Gods tools.
Heritage’s testimony
This is the typical house I use to live when I was in a
refugee camp.
When I see Kids like these one they remind me hopeless life
and it breaks my heart and this is why we choose to serve people like this.
This memory will not go away from my heart and my soul and I
live it in my mind day by day.
It seems to me, I reached a peaceful country where I have
enough food, medical insurance, and security all around me. What I know my life
is meaningful when it impacted someone’s life.
Even if I am in USA, I cannot forget that some of my country people are
still in a desert and want to reach their promised land and with your support
they can reach where there is peace, education, security and hope for life. The child must be a center of our everyday
life and if the children are educated and equipped them in knowledge,
spiritually and that is the hope for the nation or the country (Education of
the children).
What you think is small can make difference for someone's
life. God bless everyone who works hard
to serve life and those who gives hope to hopeless people.
Pastor Mike with a few of the FOH kids!
Pastor Mike visiting with one of the children in Kigali that FOH supports.
We have a few concerts coming up this fall. We are singing at the Free Methodist Church in Warsaw, NY on September 23rd, Singing at the First Baptist Church in Penfield on October 14th, and Speaking and singing at an event at St John Fisher College titled "Genocide Survivors" on November 7th. Join us if you can!