A Busy Summer and Fall!

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 17^th this year, I visited one of the many refugee camps here in Rwanda.

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.

It was shocking and heart breaking to see where thousands of children and people are staying and what they are eating.

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!

 

 

Sandra's Story - Full Interview at Women in the World 2012

The Daily Beast Update

Democrat and Chronicle Article

Women in the World 2012 Summit

Sandra's Story was heard by an audience of 2,700, not including all the listeners who watched from their own homes on livestream!  Sandra was able to tell her story with eloquence and composure beyond her years.  During the interview, she talked about how civil war was just accepted as normal.  She briefly described the attack on the Gatumba camp.  Charlie Rose, the moderator, then asked her to talk about why she takes photos, and what the photos say to her and her audience.  It was an incredible interview!  The links will be posted on this blog shortly.  Then, Charlie Rose surprised Sandra by letting her introduce Angelina Jolie, the next speaker!  What an incredible weekend for both Sandra and her sister, Princesse. They are wonderful ambassadors for Foundation of Hope.

Women in the World 2012

Last night, Sandra Uwiringiy'imana told an audience of 2,700+ a snapshot of the story leading to Gatumba and some of the events of the night of the attack.  Sandra was interviewed one-on-one by Charlie Rose.  She looked nervous, but she did such a wonderful job.  I loved the part of the interview when Charlie Rose asked her to speak about three of the portraits of survivors.  The last picture was of her mom!  It was very moving.  He also caught her off guard when he asked her to introduce the next speaker, which was Angelina Jolie!  We are all very proud of Sandra, and are so grateful that God is using her voice to tell a story of his redemptive power.  I will post the links to the news stories and the video on the blog as well.

Foundation of Hope Rwanda School Project Capital Campaign Kick Off!

We have a Capital Campaign!  We are up and running!  We are excited!  Please check out the link for online giving:  Foundation of Hope Rwanda School Project

The Big Reveal(for those who have not heard!)

Sandra Uwiringiy'imana (or Uwiringiyimana as the media misspelled) is speaking at the Women in the World conference in New York City this Thursday.  She is part of a three person panel which includes Madeleine Albright and Angelina Jolie.  They are discussing the topic of "Women and War."  The moderator is Charlie Rose, who is known for his interviews on the Charlie Rose Show on PBS and "CBS This Morning."  Her panel kicks off the 3rd annual event, which includes women from around the globe sharing stories and ideas to empower women, support women, and learn from other women, many who are living in violent and impoverished areas of the world.  Sandra was invited to speak about her experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gatumba.  When I was talking with her the other day, she was very excited at the chance to meet Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Laureate and founder of Gbowee Peace Foundation.  She has also been invited to a full, taped interview with Charlie Rose on Monday after the conference.  We are so proud of you Sandra and pray that you will have the right words to say that touch the attenders of this conference and move them into action.

The Latest Buzz

Things are happening!  Foundation of Hope has begun the latest round of tuition payments to Rwanda.  So far at least 40 children are set for the school year and Felix is working very hard to take care of around a dozen more payments.  Felix is our dedicated and wonderful liaison in Rwanda.  All of this is possible due to his hard work verifying the children's information and delivering tuition money.  We are very blessed to have him on our team. 

On Feb 25-26, FOH is travelling to Russell, PA to participate in a Women's Conference and then perform a full concert on Saturday night.  We will also sing in the church services on Sunday morning.  It is a great opportunity get out there and minister to people in our region, while also sharing our commitment and burden for these young people in Rwanda.

Sandra and Alex are up and coming artists!  They collaborated on a photography exhibit that is being shown through March titled, "The Aesthetics of Atrocity."  This exhibit showcases many survivors of the Gatumba massacre.  The portraits were taken by Sandra and Alex.  There is also 4-5 listening stations to hear testimony of survivors.  It is a touching exhibit.  I am so proud of them both. 

Cliff Hanger Alert:  Sandra is going to be part of something AWESOME in March!  Just think BIG, EXCITING, and beyond any one's imagination!  Once she gives me the OK to share, I will post! 

Keep the  children in Rwanda in your prayers, along with the FOH choir here and in Africa.  Also, please pray for funds to begin building a secondary school in Rwanda that will provide ongoing care for many refugee children in Rwanda.  We want to help many more children in need.