Hello again Anchor friends!
Our AOH Christmas celebration went off with a great success! Each child received a pair of shoes, pants and two t-shirts. The event was staffed by some of our very own AOH kids Daniel, Alexis, Mapendo, Jean Paul, Bosco, Vestine, Musoni, Elie and Jean Pierre. The children and their parents participated in praise and worship, watched the kids perform dramas, listened to preaching and speakers like Moses and government officials. Gaspard, a now high school student in AOH, also shared his testimony telling how rough his life was before he met Sarah and Heather at the KBC (Kigali Business Center) where he used to beg for money. At a young age Gaspard's father had passed away so he had to go there to look for money to bring home. He had to rely on food that he used to find in garbage dumpsters of hotels and restaurants. He told them how he started to take drugs, he started to smoke and to drink alcohol and how he encountered violence on the streets. One day when he was hanging around with his friends they met Heather and Sarah who began to talk to them and bought them clothes, food, and even took them to a place where they could get lunch everyday. Gaspard said that it was here that he began to hear about God’s love for him. He expressed his gratitude to AOH and praised God for the blessings he received. We at AOH also praise God for how he continues to bless each of our children through faithful donors and supporters like you! We ask that you consider continuing your support in prayer and giving throughout the new year. We are currently continuing to work on raising the money for all 65 school fees, books and uniforms for 2012. If you are looking to support an elementary age child to go to school this year it only costs $50! School began this past week on January 9th in Kigali and we are excited about what God will do in the lives of our kids, their families and in the ministry this year. Thank you and God bless each of you!
Check out our great new website too! www.africaanchor.org
:) Melissa
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Monday, December 26, 2011
Mini-Update: December 2011
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." ~ James 1:27
Hello Anchor Friends! December is almost over but there has been SO much going on with AOH this month. First of all...PRAISE GOD for the support we received to host the Christmas party! We were able to send the full amount budgeted in time to prepare a wonderful celebration of Christ's birth with the children of AOH. We are anxiously awaiting a full update on how this event turned out. We have also received many donations to help with the 2012 school fees for the kids. God is providing abundantly in this area and we are trusting him for every need! Thank you for all your prayers and faithful support monetarily and through words of encouragement. You are a blessing! Stay tuned in January as we will be launching the new website--yea!! We have also chosen a new logo and are excited to use it!
We hope each of you had a wonderful time of fellowship with family and friends during this Christmas season. If you feel so led to sponsor a child to go to school in 2012 it can be done for a mere $50 which includes fees, books and uniforms for the entire year! Email us for more info!
Blessings and Joy,
Melissa
melissa@africaanchor.org
Hello Anchor Friends! December is almost over but there has been SO much going on with AOH this month. First of all...PRAISE GOD for the support we received to host the Christmas party! We were able to send the full amount budgeted in time to prepare a wonderful celebration of Christ's birth with the children of AOH. We are anxiously awaiting a full update on how this event turned out. We have also received many donations to help with the 2012 school fees for the kids. God is providing abundantly in this area and we are trusting him for every need! Thank you for all your prayers and faithful support monetarily and through words of encouragement. You are a blessing! Stay tuned in January as we will be launching the new website--yea!! We have also chosen a new logo and are excited to use it!
We hope each of you had a wonderful time of fellowship with family and friends during this Christmas season. If you feel so led to sponsor a child to go to school in 2012 it can be done for a mere $50 which includes fees, books and uniforms for the entire year! Email us for more info!
Blessings and Joy,
Melissa
melissa@africaanchor.org
Monday, November 14, 2011
Africa Anchor of Hope: Update November 2011
Hey everyone! We wanted to give you a brief update on what is happening with AOH these days! We recently met with our board and are soon to be replacing the old website with the new! We will let you know as soon as that is up and running. We believe this will make communication much easier and really let people know what we are all about. This is a huge step for the ministry. Our prayer is that we would find more support in all areas and keep you all more informed. Each of us lead very busy lives but it is our desire to be more accountable with communication and exactly what is taking place from month to month and what your generous giving and prayer specifically support in Rwanda. We hope to begin a newsletter soon too! Lisa and I will also be selling T-shirts to help with some of the financial needs and to get the word out about AOH. We know that the Lord is in control and trust His provision for these 65 precious children...He ALWAYS provides, even if it doesn't look like what we expect. Below is a letter from Sarah, founder of AOH regarding upcoming needs. We would love it if you have a few minutes to read and pray for our kids! Thank you again!
Blessings and Joy,
Melissa
Hello Anchor of Hope Friends~
We are excited to take a moment to write you about how our children are doing and the news of Anchor of Hope. As the year comes to an end we are at a time of assessment regarding the progress of our children in school. After receiving the reports of all 65 children we have 65% of them succeeding well and 35% that need improvement. Three children recently took the National Exam that is required prior to entering high school and we are waiting to receive their results from this. Seven children are in the top 4% of their class. We are very proud of them and are excited to see how many of them are improving. They are improving not only in school, but they have also improved greatly in their behavior.
We all know that we are rapidly approaching the Christmas season. We have always been able to offer a special Christmas party to our kids and we hope to do the same this year. This year will be a little different as we now have 65 children who will all gather together with at least one of their parents or guardians. We will also invite some government officials. Our staff has put many wonderful ideas together for this to be a joyous day for the kids.
One week after Christmas the kids will start their new academic year. This is the time that all school fees are due as well as the time for school materials to be purchased. We try to make sure all our kids have the basic necessities they need to start the new year well.
Proposed Christmas Budget: $4,375
This includes a shirt, pants, and pair of shoes for each child; renting the facility for the party, food and drink, transportation, an Anchor of Hope t-shirt, and a musician to sing for the party.
Proposed 2012 School Budget: $7,035
This includes school fees, 2 school uniforms, and materials for the year for 65 children.
As God lays it on your heart, we would ask you to consider giving to one or both of these upcoming financial needs. We look forward to the opportunities the new year holds for these kids and Anchor of Hope. Our Rwandan Director was recently visiting some of the children and their families and sent these words from them:
“We are very thankful to God who made AOH, and who inspired its members with the Holy-spirit’s agape and wisdom. We thank you from the bottom of our heart for what AOH people are doing for us. This is a huge support, affection and friendship we never had before and we pray God to give much power to AOH to allow its people to help others as well as those who are desperately in need like us”.
We have recently moved to a new office that is less expensive and wanted to include some pictures~ Please open the attached document with these photos.
Please continue to pray for Anchor of Hope as we strive to move forward to the places God is directing. Thank you for your love for the people of Rwanda as well as your passion to help others. May God bless you this Christmas season and throughout the new year.
In His love,
Sarah Sebazungu
Anchor of Hope
Blessings and Joy,
Melissa
Hello Anchor of Hope Friends~
We are excited to take a moment to write you about how our children are doing and the news of Anchor of Hope. As the year comes to an end we are at a time of assessment regarding the progress of our children in school. After receiving the reports of all 65 children we have 65% of them succeeding well and 35% that need improvement. Three children recently took the National Exam that is required prior to entering high school and we are waiting to receive their results from this. Seven children are in the top 4% of their class. We are very proud of them and are excited to see how many of them are improving. They are improving not only in school, but they have also improved greatly in their behavior.
We all know that we are rapidly approaching the Christmas season. We have always been able to offer a special Christmas party to our kids and we hope to do the same this year. This year will be a little different as we now have 65 children who will all gather together with at least one of their parents or guardians. We will also invite some government officials. Our staff has put many wonderful ideas together for this to be a joyous day for the kids.
One week after Christmas the kids will start their new academic year. This is the time that all school fees are due as well as the time for school materials to be purchased. We try to make sure all our kids have the basic necessities they need to start the new year well.
Proposed Christmas Budget: $4,375
This includes a shirt, pants, and pair of shoes for each child; renting the facility for the party, food and drink, transportation, an Anchor of Hope t-shirt, and a musician to sing for the party.
Proposed 2012 School Budget: $7,035
This includes school fees, 2 school uniforms, and materials for the year for 65 children.
As God lays it on your heart, we would ask you to consider giving to one or both of these upcoming financial needs. We look forward to the opportunities the new year holds for these kids and Anchor of Hope. Our Rwandan Director was recently visiting some of the children and their families and sent these words from them:
“We are very thankful to God who made AOH, and who inspired its members with the Holy-spirit’s agape and wisdom. We thank you from the bottom of our heart for what AOH people are doing for us. This is a huge support, affection and friendship we never had before and we pray God to give much power to AOH to allow its people to help others as well as those who are desperately in need like us”.
We have recently moved to a new office that is less expensive and wanted to include some pictures~ Please open the attached document with these photos.
Please continue to pray for Anchor of Hope as we strive to move forward to the places God is directing. Thank you for your love for the people of Rwanda as well as your passion to help others. May God bless you this Christmas season and throughout the new year.
In His love,
Sarah Sebazungu
Anchor of Hope
Monday, June 27, 2011
Home
"His calling, our privilege...serving others in Christ."
We are back! Wow, what an absolutely incredible trip it was! As we reflect upon the last few weeks, it is so exciting to see how God's hand was at work in all that Lisa and I were able to accomplish through Africa Anchor of Hope in Rwanda. We visited over 60 children in their homes around the city and ALL OVER the countryside, took tons of pictures and interviews, talked with multiple parents and caretakers, worked in the Anchor office, developed stronger relationships with our in country staff, visited many dear friends and returned with a fire and strong desire to pursue our passion for loving the children of this beautiful country.
As always saying goodbye was rough. We are not sure when we will be able to return next but we rest in the promise that the Lord does know and that He is not through with either of us yet! I have personally been overwhelmed by His grace in working out every detail of the trip and in how much our friends and family have supported us. Very soon Lisa and I will get our pictures up on Facebook and AOH is working on a new website where we can post more photos and videos. Please stay tuned for the exciting things that will be happening this year with AOH. If you feel led to support one of these precious kids you see or just to the ministry in general please contact Lisa or myself. We would also love the opportunity to meet with you one on one to share stories and details of the trip and more about this organization. Again, thank you for your love for us but more so for the precious children of Rwanda.
Imana igue umagisha (God bless you),
Melissa and Lisa
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure... ~Hebrews 6:19a
Monday, June 20, 2011
Coming to an end...
Hello!
Well...it has been a few days since we have posted and we finally have some time to update you! We have been so thankful that we have been so busy! Since our time here was short we have been praying that we would have full days and be able to get done what we felt like God was calling us here to do. Like Melissa said in an earlier post we were able to visit about 65 of our Anchor of Hope children in their homes or at school, get updates on them, pictures and video to take back home. These kids are absolutely precious! The 3 full days that we spent visiting the children in their homes was emotionally hard, seeing how little they have and after talking to some of their families there are so many more needs...it can get overwhelming. We had some sweet moments of just spending time in prayer with these families, trusting and knowing that God will provide.
Last week we were also able to visit the school that Melissa and I taught in last summer, it was fun to see the kids and teachers again and spend time with them.
We have also been able to spend the last two sundays worshipping at Pastor Esron's church! We have been so blessed by his family and he and his wife, Kezia, always take such good care of us while we are here!
The next few days will be busy as we wrap things up here. Tomorrow we will work in the AOH office, Wednesday and Thursday we will be at the Non-Profit exhibition that is taking place here in Kigali. We are excited that AOH will be at this and be able to share more about our ministry! We fly out Thursday evening at 8pm...Kigali time.
We have said good-bye to the AOH kids, never easy, and we will spend the next few days saying good-bye to our sweet friends here. Please pray for us over the next few days as we finish the last few things.
We are so thankful for the time we have had here! Like every time...we have mixed feelings about leaving. Not ready to say good bye to our friends here, but also miss our friends and family back home.
Thank you again for all of your support! We have been so blessed by you all! Your emails, texts...even though we can't text back, and facebook messages! We are so thankful for each of you!
"It's my purpose to ascribe all the greatness of my God, I'm yours and you are mine, I reflect the light you shine. I was made for such a time as this..." - John Sherrill
Love you all,
Lisa & Melissa
Well...it has been a few days since we have posted and we finally have some time to update you! We have been so thankful that we have been so busy! Since our time here was short we have been praying that we would have full days and be able to get done what we felt like God was calling us here to do. Like Melissa said in an earlier post we were able to visit about 65 of our Anchor of Hope children in their homes or at school, get updates on them, pictures and video to take back home. These kids are absolutely precious! The 3 full days that we spent visiting the children in their homes was emotionally hard, seeing how little they have and after talking to some of their families there are so many more needs...it can get overwhelming. We had some sweet moments of just spending time in prayer with these families, trusting and knowing that God will provide.
Last week we were also able to visit the school that Melissa and I taught in last summer, it was fun to see the kids and teachers again and spend time with them.
We have also been able to spend the last two sundays worshipping at Pastor Esron's church! We have been so blessed by his family and he and his wife, Kezia, always take such good care of us while we are here!
The next few days will be busy as we wrap things up here. Tomorrow we will work in the AOH office, Wednesday and Thursday we will be at the Non-Profit exhibition that is taking place here in Kigali. We are excited that AOH will be at this and be able to share more about our ministry! We fly out Thursday evening at 8pm...Kigali time.
We have said good-bye to the AOH kids, never easy, and we will spend the next few days saying good-bye to our sweet friends here. Please pray for us over the next few days as we finish the last few things.
We are so thankful for the time we have had here! Like every time...we have mixed feelings about leaving. Not ready to say good bye to our friends here, but also miss our friends and family back home.
Thank you again for all of your support! We have been so blessed by you all! Your emails, texts...even though we can't text back, and facebook messages! We are so thankful for each of you!
"It's my purpose to ascribe all the greatness of my God, I'm yours and you are mine, I reflect the light you shine. I was made for such a time as this..." - John Sherrill
Love you all,
Lisa & Melissa
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Focus of His Love
"Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Etiquette is the good and acceptable form of manners in a given culture. Never have a superior attitude as you compare cultures. Everyone is precious to Jesus. Each is the focus of His love."
Yesterday Lisa and I went out to the countryside to meet the remaining 10 children sponsored by AOH. It was yet another incredible day! We visited many homes, some situated on the side of a mountain! We walked up and down steep paths and through farm land to visit the homes of about 8 of the 10 we met that day. Like the other two days, we were agian humbled to see the conditions in which they lived but were met with smiles and thanks. We are tiered but after we met the last child we now feel that the task God had designed for us here in this short time is coming to a close. We have met over 60 kids and visited over 20 homes since we arrived. However, we still have a lot to do before we leave Rwanda. Tonight we will have a meeting with the AOH staff in Kigali and then tomorrow will go to the market to buy supplies for Saturday when we will meet with the Kigali children again. We are busy girls but are loving it! Please keep up the prayers and thank you so much for followingt the blog, it means so much to us!
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- Eph 1:4,5
Yesterday Lisa and I went out to the countryside to meet the remaining 10 children sponsored by AOH. It was yet another incredible day! We visited many homes, some situated on the side of a mountain! We walked up and down steep paths and through farm land to visit the homes of about 8 of the 10 we met that day. Like the other two days, we were agian humbled to see the conditions in which they lived but were met with smiles and thanks. We are tiered but after we met the last child we now feel that the task God had designed for us here in this short time is coming to a close. We have met over 60 kids and visited over 20 homes since we arrived. However, we still have a lot to do before we leave Rwanda. Tonight we will have a meeting with the AOH staff in Kigali and then tomorrow will go to the market to buy supplies for Saturday when we will meet with the Kigali children again. We are busy girls but are loving it! Please keep up the prayers and thank you so much for followingt the blog, it means so much to us!
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- Eph 1:4,5
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Journey Together...
"The best that God's people have to offer is ourselves. Only when we put ourselves in direct, personal relationship with the people of God in the hard places do we begin to understand their needs and accompany them in the pilgrimage of faith...It is no longer the rich stepping down to help the poor but brothers and sisters in Christ stepping across th journey with one another." ~Daniel Rickett
Yesterday was another incredible day...it was exhausting, dirty and emotinally draining but Lisa and I have been once again humbled. We left Kigali at 8am yesterday and visited 20 children in thier homes traking pictures and interviews and listening to their needs and struggles. The looks on the faces of the kids as we entered their homes was priceless. Some were very shy and some ran at us with smiles and hugs. It was difficult to see the poverty that they lived in but this was overcome by the amount of joy that was felt. Over and over the families and kids thanked AOH and even said that we were like family to them. We walkied all over the countryside and even got to see the land that could possibly be the furture home of an AOH facility. It was dark before we returned to the city but our take on the day was that it was incredible! Tomorrow we will go out and do the same and meet with the reamining 20 kids. Please pray for endurance and strength for us! We are so very thankful for the staff here in Kigali, they work extremely hard and are incredible with these children and thier families. We feel so blessed to have them! Thank you for the prayers and please don't stop, we are seeing God's hand and provision daily here in Rwanda!!!
:) Mel and Lisa
Yesterday was another incredible day...it was exhausting, dirty and emotinally draining but Lisa and I have been once again humbled. We left Kigali at 8am yesterday and visited 20 children in thier homes traking pictures and interviews and listening to their needs and struggles. The looks on the faces of the kids as we entered their homes was priceless. Some were very shy and some ran at us with smiles and hugs. It was difficult to see the poverty that they lived in but this was overcome by the amount of joy that was felt. Over and over the families and kids thanked AOH and even said that we were like family to them. We walkied all over the countryside and even got to see the land that could possibly be the furture home of an AOH facility. It was dark before we returned to the city but our take on the day was that it was incredible! Tomorrow we will go out and do the same and meet with the reamining 20 kids. Please pray for endurance and strength for us! We are so very thankful for the staff here in Kigali, they work extremely hard and are incredible with these children and thier families. We feel so blessed to have them! Thank you for the prayers and please don't stop, we are seeing God's hand and provision daily here in Rwanda!!!
:) Mel and Lisa
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