General

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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda and in America for June 2010

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The month of June has moved very fast. Preparing to travel to the US has been an ordeal but a pleasant one as it ended happily. Lilliane's Visa came at virtually at the last minute but with "God in Charge" it came in time.
I have been blessed by Rwanda Immigration with a permanent visa. I am honored.

Urukundo is pleased to welcome Todd & Andria Ellingson as volunteers at our Home for children Their desire is to be permanent. Their presence makes it possible for me to take this journey to the US.
Nurse Nancy Ehrig has also come on board as a temporary Volunteer filling in for me in our small clinic.. Read about Nancy under visitors for June.
It was good that all three arrived with time for acquainting themselves with Urukundo while I was still there.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for May 2010

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the family at Urukundo Home for Children.

May marks a new concept as we welcomed Todd Ellingson to Urukundo. Turning over the reins to another is a new experience for me. Sharing the responsibilities that to this point in time have been mine alone has not been easy, but very necessary if I am to visit my family and friends in the US.
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The transition is slowly taking place as Todd settles into the family and the hearts of the kids. He is a good spiritual leader, a good student and praise God I feel that I am leaving my precious kids and the vision that is Urukundo Village in good hands. Todd and Andria, his wife, were moved by their vision when he and Andria were here last summer. Todd returned in April as a permanent resident in mission and Andria will join him June 1st. They will make their home here in Urukundo Village where they hope to start a family. They have come from Phoenix, Arizona to serve the Lord and the vulnerable in Rwanda. I am confident they and Urukundo will move forward as a team.

The peace of mind I have as I prepare to travel to the US is surely a gift from God as are these two young people who have joined the Urukundo Family.

Please join me in welcoming Todd and Andria.

Gifts can be sent to:

Hope Made Real
PO Box 3222
Williamsport, Pa, 17701

Mailed gifts can be sent to:

Urukundo Home for Children
BP 179
Muhanga, South Province
Rwanda, Africa

Thank you for sharing in this ministry.


Travel

I do wish to thank all who have contributed to the travel fund making it possible for me and hopefully Lilliane to come to the US.

The schedule is being processed. Speaking engagement requests have been heartwarming. Thanks to all of you.

I look forward to seeing and sharing with as many of you as possible.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for April 2010

Greetings from Mama Arlene and the family at Urukundo Home for Children.

After a bout with Sciatica and walking with a cane for a few days I am climbing my mountain again. Thanks to you and your prayers. God is Good.

April has seen the room in the Boys' Home renovated and prepared for Todd Ellingson to arrive. Todd is brave - he wants to live with the boys. The boys are thrilled. It is a good way to start. I lived with the 12 girls in one house when Urukundo first started. You really get to know the kids and they know you.

Support Gifts can be sent to:

Hope Made Real
PO BOX 3222
Williamsport, Pa, 17701

Mailed gifts can be sent to:

Urukundo Home for Children
BP 179
Muhange, South Province
Rwanda, Africa

Thank you for sharing in this ministry.

Notice

I am told If a check is sent to the PO Box in Philadelphia it will be held for six months before being forwarded to the Williamsport PO Box.

For anyone who has sent money to the Philadelphia address : if you have not received a receipt from our Treasurer, John Green, please contact him (john@hopemadereal.org) and he will advise what is best to do.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for March 2010

The time is drawing near for my trip to the United States to see all of you. I am excited. Even though it is three months away, already we are making preparations for my time away from home. Todd and Andria Ellingson from Arizona are scheduled to come beforehand to train so that they will be the managers in my absence.

There is one need that I must bring to all of you my friends. As you know, in Rwanda I do not use any of the money you send for the children for any of my expenses or travel. Instead I live on (and share) my pension. Therefore there is not much left for my air travel expenses to and from and while I am in the United States. Approaching 80, I no longer drive so I will also need friends and supporters who can transport me to and from places and people I need to meet and visit with. I look forward to seeing so many of you, both individuals and churches as well as the school who have prayed for me these many years. If you are able to help me with my travel, either with funds or with your vehicle please let me know. Any funds sent should be designated as “TRAVEL FUNDS”.
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Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for February 2010

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The news for February from Urukundo is exciting. Grades are out and our kids were all promoted.

Our 'oldest kid' finished Senior High. This graduation is very special.

John Kayitare, Papa John to the kids and my Executive Administrator, at the age of 35 has graduated from Senior 6 (12th grade in America). Yes, after being out of school for 15 years, John opted to finish Secondary School in order to better serve Urukundo Foundation and to provide a brighter future for himself and his family. He had to start in Senior 5, but he completed two years of school in twelve months whilst doing his best to serve Urukundo at the same time. Not an easy task. This took a lot of courage and dedication on his part.

John finished his National exams graduating with distinction. Quite an accomplishment for an "old man".
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Quite honestly, the kids announced upon hearing the news, "we didn't think he could do it!" But he did, "praise God."

Thanks especially to Carrie Schwartz from Piney Flats, TN, who believed in John and wanted to help Urukundo. Carrie provided the funds while Urukundo provided the time necessary. There have been many times when school and Urukundo clashed. Times when both John and I wondered if we had made the right decision. God in Charge.

When John came to volunteer at Urukundo, he had no job and his family were in bad living conditions. He could not provide for them. His faith was strong and he felt called to be a part of this Ministry. So in January 2007, John and his family became a part of our Urukundo family. Much of our success here is because of his hard work. I am grateful that God placed him in our lives just when the need was greatest.

Congratulations John.

Food for Thought

This month reality set in. Our statement to you, our donors, has been: "every cent you send goes directly to the Ministry in Rwanda."

This needs to change. Our statement must now read: "every cent you donate, except for the PayPal transaction fee, is sent directly to the Ministry in Rwanda."

We have no administration fees but Paypal does take a percentage of your gift. We appreciate the technology that allows our donors to use this service, but it does come at a price.

There is no added cost with a personal check aside from the postage you pay. Our address for check donations is:

Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701

Please consider sending your gifts this way, and I can assure you that "every cent you send by check goes directly to the Ministry in Rwanda."

Thank you for looking at this cost evaluation with me. What is best for you is also best for our work at Urukundo.

Tragedy and Sadness

Sudden death is difficult and the death of Julie's father was tragic. We shared her sorrow. He had not been ill, but death removed him from his family. Julie is the youngest in her family and was the first Mama to come as a volunteer to care for our girls in 2006. She has remained with us and is a source of strength for our children. She is loved by all.

Our love was shown to Juliette as 23 of our children, 5 staff and myself traveled in a rickety mini bus for two hours over impossible roads and log bridges. We then climbed down a steep mountain and up another on foot to be there with her as her family at Urukundo. We are blessed that the Lord Jesus has placed her in our lives.

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Wooden box lowered into the grave site in the back yard of the home of the family.

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Julie's mother placing a handful of earth on her husbands grave.

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