Special event

Sharing it with you but with no pictures of the event.

For the first time, I gave a group a tour inside my house using Zoom. I think FaceTime and Skype also would work. When I was in the USA, this wonderful and supportive group asked me if it would be possible to have a virtual tour of the house they helped to build. I really wasn’t sure I could do it as I had never tried it before, but I was willing to try. Well, it worked. It was not perfect, but for a first try I think it was OK.

Thank you, We Are Women Helping Others (WAWHO), in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA, for giving me a chance to prove you are never too old to learn new tricks. That changes the old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Who are the ladies of WAWHO? Here’s a photo of them:

November 2021 newsletter

State College

Ending October, I was blessed to spend time with hosts Steve and Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board, in State College, Pennsylvania.

We also had time with other friends in State College.

Joanne and Paul Steindorf

Janet Madore and Esther Lauchle

Ruth and Bob O’Connor

Carol Baney.

Carol visited Urukundo several years ago with a team led by Carol Falke. It was good to connect with her again.

Altoona

Pastor Rebecca Holland and her husband, Pastor Jeff Holland.

Rebecca is Chair of Disability Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. She serves as pastor to Christ Community and Llyswen United Methodist Churches in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Through her ministry, the Urukundo Learning Center received aid for Claudine. Because of Rev. Rebecca and her task force, Claudine now has a brighter future.

Rev. Dr. Joleen A. Willis, district superintendent of the Altoona District in the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, honored me with her presence at Christ Community.

Book signing and sharing took place at Christ Community.

Joleen and her husband Randy, who is pastor of Wehnwood United Methodist Church in Altoona, are parents of Ethan and Sarah. The Willis children were a delight. Such energy! Wow.

Back in Williamsport

Pastor Susan Halverstadt and her congregation at Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, were a captive audience. I thank them for their welcome.

Sharing with friends makes for a wonderful evening.

Maryland

On the road again

This time, the destination is the area of Baltimore, Maryland, and a meeting with nursing students at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland.

The discussion was on health care and a possible partnership between Bowie in Maryland and the Urukundo Foundation in Rwanda.

SLK Health Corp. is the nongovernmental organization for the nursing school.

International recognition

An invitation to take part in Global Health Education Week at University of Maryland, Baltimore, was indeed an honor for me and the Urukundo Foundation.

The discussion was on health care and a possible partnership between Bowie in Maryland and the Urukundo Foundation in Rwanda.

In on the brainstorming discussion were Virginia Rowthorn, assistant vice president for global engagement at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and executive director of the Center for Global Engagement, and Bonnie Bissonette, director of education abroad and international safety at the university’s Center for Global Education Initiatives.

It was my pleasure to meet and be a part of this discussion.

The event was organized and chaired by Valli I. Meeks, DDS, MS, RDH, clinical professor in the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

Valli has visited Urukundo and was instrumental in the start-up of Urukundo Dental Clinic in 2013.

August Newsletter

Anticipating my Sept. 1 journey to the USA, I am finding suitcases; purchasing crafts as gifts for friends and family; and preparing PowerPoint presentations to share my love (Urukundo) story. In a few days from writing this, I will be on my way.

My phone number in the USA, as of Sept. 2, is 412-636-8452. My itinerary is downloadable from this link.

Important collection: Want to invite your group to bring something tangible to your event? Mama is in need of medical-grade masks for Urukundo’s dentists, workers, teachers and staff: N95, KN95 and surgical N95 respirator masks. (No cloth masks or other paper-filtering masks.) Thank you.

USA itinerary of Mama Arlene Brown, Fall 2021

Wed., Sept. 1 Depart Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

Thurs., Sept. 2 Arrival from Rwanda in USA, Dulles International Airport in Dulles, VA.

Thurs., Sept. 2 Dinner and book signing in Reston, VA, 5 p.m. By invitation from Mary Jackson.

Fri., Sept. 3 Dinner and book reading in Reston, VA. 6 p.m. By invitation from Lloyd and Joellyn Kinzer.

Sun., Sept. 5 United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston, VA 20190. 10 a.m. service; 11 a.m. lunch and book reading (with Covid-19 protocols). Contact: Kathy Kelly, katkell400@comcast.net, 571-232-8830.

Sept. 7-18 TBD, Pittsburgh, PA. Contact: Patricia Brown, pdbrown@spiritworks.org, 412-999-1912.

Thurs., Sept. 9 Beacon Hill Book Club, Wilkinsburg, PA. By invitation only. Contact: Stephanie Carleton,calcium25@gmail.com.

Sun., Sept 12 Waverly Presbyterian Church, 590 S. Braddock Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. 11 a.m. reading as service begins. Contact: Pastor Caitlin Werth, pastor@waverlychurch.org, 412-242-0643.

Sun., Sept. 19 Christ Church McKeansburg, 6 S. Race St., New Ringgold, PA 17960. 8:45 and 10 a.m. morning worship speaker. Sunday School book reading and video. Contact: Pastor Sunny Stock, pastorsunny@verizon.net, 570-640-3078.

Wed., Sept. 22 To be announced. Contact: Erin Friday, efriday@thousandhillsaccounting.com, 484-919-0904.

Sun., Sept 26 Grace United Methodist Church, 309 Herman Ave, Lemoyne, PA 17043. 10 a.m. worship. Contact: Pastor Jason Schwartzman, office@graceumlemoyne.org, 717-763-7632.

Mon., Sept. 27 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, book reading, location and time in Mechanicsburg to be announced. Contact: Michelle Schwartzman, VIM@susumc.org, 717-766-7441, ext. 3105.

Sun., Oct. 3 Hebron Church, 10460 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. 4 to 6 p.m. mission fair. Contact: Bruce Krogh, krogh@ece.cmu.edu.

Tues., Oct. 5 Wilkinsburg Rotary at James Flower Shoppe, 719 Wood Street, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. 12:15 p.m. book talk. Contact: John Irwin, JCIrwin@aol.com, 412-680-1381.

Oct. 13-15 SUNY Buffalo State, NY. Contact: Eve Everette, assistant director, Anne Frank Project, everetec@buffalostate.edu, 716-713-2699, 713-878-5559.

Sun., Oct. 17 Brookville Presbyterian Church, 100 North White St., Brookville, PA 15825. 9 a.m. Sunday School meet-and-greet; 10 a.m. short talk in church service; luncheon. Contact: Vicki Mason, vam1955@comcast.net, 814-849-4626.

Wed., Oct 20 Forest Hills Rotary at Jodi B’s Restaurant, 2600 Ardmore Blvd, Forest Hills, PA 15221. 7 a.m. Contact: Bob Dove, drbobdove@aol.com, 412-867-5013.

Sun., Oct. 24 St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Ave, State College, PA 16801. 10 a.m. mission moment, meet-and-greet for 30 minutes following the service.

Sun., Oct. 24 Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Road, State College, PA 16801. Afternoon speaking engagement, including PowerPoint and book signing. Open to local churches and supporters.

Mon., Oct. 25 State College, PA. Book chat. Contact: Carol Falke for location and time, falkes248@gmail.com, (814) 321-1076.

Mon., Oct. 25 Kiwanis Club of State College, PA, location to be announced. 5:45 p.m.

Tues., Oct 26 State College Rotary, location to be announced. 5:30 p.m. book talk. Contact: Nandu Desai, 925-351-1074.

Wed., Oct. 27 Sunrise Rotary, Scholar Hotel, 205 E. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801. 7:15 a.m. Contact: Carol Baney, 814-404-9694.

Sat., Oct 30 “Home with Mary Ruth” book reading, 1 to 3 p.m. By invitation only.

Sun., Oct. 31 Phelps Chapel United Methodist Church, 68 Phelps Chapel Road, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. Presentation during 9 a.m. Sunday service. Contact: Donna Timblin, dtimblin@bigwoodslandco.com, 570-220-6448.

Tues., Nov. 2 WAWHO meeting (closed meeting), Moon & Raven Public House, Williamsport. 7:30 p.m. Contact: Maddi Dunlap, madwoman951@gmail.com, 570-916-3969.

Sun., Nov. 7 St. Paul Calvary United Methodist Church, 1427 Memorial Ave, Williamsport, PA 17701. 9:15 a.m. Sunday School book reading and conversation. Contact: Ann Runnels, arunnels@susumc.org, 570-322-5054.

Wed., Nov. 10 Friends Church, 137 S. Third St., Hughesville, PA 17737. Luncheon. Contact to register: Jeanne Willis, jtwillis1@comcast.net, 570-447-7486.

Sat., Nov. 13 St. John’s-Newberry United Methodist Church, 2101 Newberry St., Williamsport, PA 17701. 5:30 p.m. service. Contact: Pastor Lenora Hosier, lhosier@susumc.org, 570-326-5569.

Sun., Nov. 14 St. John’s-Newberry United Methodist Church, 2101 Newberry St., Williamsport, PA 17701. Services at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Contact: Pastor Lenora Hosier, lhosier@susumc.org, 570-326-5569.

Nov. 15-19 International Education Week, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Center for Global Engagement with University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the UMB Office of Global Health. Meetings with UMB's schools of dentistry, nursing and medicine. Contact: Valli Meeks: valli.meeks@gmail.com, 484-919-0904.

Sun., Nov. 21 Crossroads Church, 1454 PA-44, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. Update during 10 a.m. Sunday service. Also a display table and meet-and greet. Contact: George Morton, gjmorton@comcast.net, 570-220-3621.

Sun., Dec. 5 Depart USA for Rwanda

Supplies for the community

Knowing the plight of many of our neighbors, the Urukundo Worship Center provided supplies for neighborhood families to have food essentials.

Rice, flour, beans and cooking oil were distributed by Urukundo Worship and its fellowship.
The congregation and its leaders hope that what little what we can do will make a difference in the lives of so many.

Hand soap also was included as washing hands is an important part of protecting against the coronavirus.

Supplies were placed in paper bags (called envelopes in Rwanda).

Paper bags were then put into cloth bags, making the supplies easy to carry.

Those who received the help were grateful and thanked God. Taking photos can be a problem, so we share just a few.

The large bags are a gift from ChicoBag. We thank them for their faithfulness in donating large and smaller bags to the Mama and Baby Project and the Urukundo Foundation.

Urukundo’s purpose

Urukundo decided that, because of a lack of necessary funding, construction on the school would stop at least for now. It seemed like a good idea. It was for Urukundo but not for a community in need.

There is more than one way to be a good neighbor and part of the community. Need is always present, and charity is not wanted. People want to work and earn some money, especially at Christmastime.

What could Urukundo do to help? Our field needed to be cleared and leveled. That would benefit our Learning Center and the community.

Thanks to faithful donors, we were able to have a work day, and 17 families with no income earned a little money. Their children’s Christmas was brighter. Food is essential.

Now Urukundo has land cleared for the next project in our future. That project is construction of four more classrooms needed for the primary school.

We are blessed, and it is so important we pass the blessing along. Hope you all had a great Christmas.