March 2008 Newsletter -- Mama Arlene in Rwanda

Newsletter
March 2008
ARLENE IN RWANDA

What a warm welcome I received back home in Rwanda. The plane was late and it was pouring buckets of rain. The drive home from the airport seemed endless. As we made the turn at the end of our road to travel the short distance to the gate in the distance stood a crowd. It took me a second to realize they were my children running toward the car waving and shouting. John stopped the car and I opened the door to step into the waiting arms and kisses of thirty-six mud-soaked children. Later Micaela, one of our Mamas, told me she tried to keep them inside the gate but it was impossible; “Mama Arlene was home!”

NEW NAME: HopeMadeReal
We have a new name. Our umbrella name is "HopeMadeReal".
I have a new email address: arlene@hopemadereal.org
The time has come for Urukundo to grow up and so the new name, new email address, and our own web site are currently under construction. I’ll keep you posted so that you can explore the hopemadereal web site along with me. We are filing for our own non-profit status with the U.S. Federal Government.

Spiritworks will graciously continue to work with us as an operating non-profit with their web site, banking, and addresses until such time as we have HopeMadeReal fully in place.

BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
Our National Board of Directors in Rwanda includes Colonel John Bosco, RPF, Rwandan army officer; John Kayitare, business man; Gertrude Mupfasoni, former mayor of Gitarama; Félicité Uwimana, officer of the Genocide Widows Association; and Arlene D. Brown, Founder & Director.

Our International Board of Directors includes Cindy Grieshaber of Bethlehem, PA. as President; Patricia D. Brown of Seattle, WA as Secretary; Terry Masch of Harrisburg, PA as Treasurer; Christian Gloddy of New York City who oversees media; and Laurie Finn of Seattle, WA as a member at large.

ACTIVE IN MARCH
March came in like a lion. I arrived home on March 1 and the team of thirteen13 from Bloomsburg, PA, USA arrived on March 4. They came bearing gifts and with lots of energy to work.

They worked on the construction of the first boys’ home and had the honor of breaking ground for the first of the five cottages for girls. They did a fine job.

One volunteer, Carrie, traveled home from the U.S. to Rwanda with Divine. Let me share with you the message she sent afterwards: “I came first to Urukundo Home for Children in December 2007, with a People to People group from the States. We spent a day with Arlene and the children taking them out to eat and playing with them. In January I began thinking about returning to work as a teacher of English and to help Arlene fulfill her dreams of expanding her Home. I returned with her February 29, to begin a two month stay. I have begun teaching an adult English class three days a week and on Saturday a group of pastors. Adult Rwandians are eager to learn English. They speak French and Kinyarwanda. The children learn English in school. A building program is underway for a boy’s home and the foundation for a girl’s home has been started. A Methodist group from Pennsylvania helped to complete the boy’s home. They planted a tree in the garden as a remembrance of their mission trip. The homes are being built on land now owned by Urukundo. I have worked at the site and watched the progress being made.‘God in Charge is the Home’s motto. I am happy to be here and feel I am where God wants me to be at this time. --Carrie M. Schwartz, Johnson City, Tennessee

The first term for the year has ended and the kids now have 3 weeks to play. The report cards show room for improvement. The boys will be moving to a new school in April. The new school is within walking distance from our new home. It will be a while before we all will live there. It will happen “God in Charge”

THE CHICKEN FARM
The second group of Chicks, 200, will arrive on April 10. We will then have 300+. Our older hens number about 53. When another 200 arrive in two months it will make a total of 553. Farah, the hen house manager, and his crew have not lost a single chick of the original 100.

Continue to visit http://spiritworks.org/rwanda/; http://spiritworks.org/rwanda-info/ for updates and information about the Urukundo Home for Children and Mama Arlene.

Gifts for the children and support for the mission may be sent to:
Spiritworks/Arlene Brown
823 West Cremona Street
Seattle WA 98119
United States
or
Rwanda Fund
Saint Johns/Newberry UMC
2101 Newberry Street
Williamsport, Pa 17701

My address:

Arlene D Brown
BP 179
Founder Urukundo Home for Children
Muhanga District, Rwanda
Office Cell 08769422
Arlene’s Cell 05102964

ARLENE IN RWANDA - Newsletter, January 2008

Greetings my partners in Ministry. I am writing to you, not from the Urukundo Home for Children in Rwanda, but from the United States. After a rough trip for Divine we are here. Divine suffered from motion sickness making the trip unpleasant for her. We have medicine now for the flight home that will make Divine more comfortable. Yes, Divine and I are in your “ice box” of the Northeast. It is cold. Divine experienced her first snow and loved it. I shivered and enjoyed joining her in throwing snowballs. She will have many unique experiences to share with her brothers and sisters back home.

Visiting family has been a blessing and sharing with my church families is special. This first week has been spent in the Williamsport (Central Pennsylvania) area. Soon
we will travel to McConnellstown, State College, Bloomsburg, Wrightsville, Hanover, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Linglestown, New Bloomfield , Jersey Shore, Arlington,VA. and Spokane, WA . to tell the story of Urukundo. Please pray for our safe travels on the snowy roads. You can reach on my cell phone while I am in at the States: 570-447-0751.



In September 2007 a group of social workers from People to People, an organization founded by Dwight Eisenhower to bring people from different cultures together, visited Urukundo Home for Children. Mary Eisenhower, the founder’s granddaughter and the CEO of People to People, accompanied this group and visited our children. After evaluating the ministry Mary graciously accepted a position on Urukundo's International Board of Directors. We are honored to have Mary on the governing board.

STRANGE FEELING
I have been driving since I was twenty. I learned on a mechanica (an African term) car and then switched to an automatic. I drive throughout Rwanda with no problem. But when I got behind the wheel of the automobile loaned to me by friends of Urukundo, Art and Patti Depolas my mind went blank. Everything was in the wrong place. It took some time to revert back to driving from the left side of the car. We do drive on the same side of the road in Rwanda, but the mechanics for driving are on the right side of the car. I appreciate that my friends are letting me use their car –especially after such a scary start.

OUR KIDS AT HOME
School has started. Our kids have new uniforms, shoes, backpacks and jackets, notebooks and pens- -plus school fees-- thanks to your generous sponsorship. (Photo)

OUR OUTREACH
Here is a group of the 230 village children going to school because you have made it possible. (Photo)\

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Our basketball court is a true blessing. A local karate teacher, who had been praying a long time for a place to teach, excitedly inquired about the use of our new basketball court. He made an offer we could not refuse; if he could use our court twice a week for private students in payment he would teach our kids, along with some neighborhood children. We are again blessed.




Belise doing her best. (Photo)

BAD NEWS MAKES GOOD NEWS
As you know, all of our “homes” are currently rented in the village. One of our landlords has decided to raise the rent on our boys house. We could give him more money for a house that is too small and in need of major repairs, or we could stand on faith and trust in God and build our first cottage in the next three months – the end of our rental contract. We own the land and for $25,000 USD we can build and furnish a home for ten boys and a house mother. Construction began on the eve of my trip to the States and I continue to pray for five more homes so that all our present children can live on the land. Our prayer is for a total of ten cottages; five for girls and five for boys.

Three steps to building the new boy’s cottage (photo)



CHICKEN FARM UPDATE
We were expecting one-hundred baby chicks before my trip to the States, but because of the problems in Kenya our babies have not arrived. They will come by air freight and Kenya Air is not moving freight. I just pray someone is caring for those chicks if they are sitting in a terminal waiting to come to us. We will then have five-hundred chickens by year’s end. The chicken farm is part of our plan to make Urukundo self-supporting in the future. It will take time, but by the grace of God it will happen. Eggs are very expensive in Africa and I have faith that our hens will produce good eggs and we will show a profit in less than a year. However, if they do not produce eggs --chicken soup is also nourishing.
DIVINE IN AMERICA
Here is a delightful photos to tell you the story of our eleven-year-olds' visit here in the States.
The 5th-Form class at Salladasburg Primary School, PA. Mr.Wall is the teacher.
We were welcomed and Divine had her first experience of your schools.

Visit this web site for updates and information about Urukundo.
http://spiritworks.org/rwanda/
http://spiritworks.org/rwanda-info/

Gifts for the children and support for the mission can be sent to:
Spiritworks/Arlene Brown
823 West Cremona Street
Seattle WA 98119
United States
OR
Rwanda Fund
Saint Johns/Newberry UMC
2101 Newberry Street
Williamsport, Pa 17701

Beauty is what they have.
Opportunity is what they need.
Your love. Their lives, Our world.

Arlene D Brown
BP 179
Founder Urukundo Home for Children
Muhanga District, Rwanda
Office Cell 08769422
My Cell 05102964

Mama Arlene's Rwandan Children's First Day of the School Year

Meet Mama Arlene - Feb. 12

You and Two of Your Guests
Are invited to a
BENEFIT LUNCHEON
For
URUKUNDO HOME FOR CHILDREN – RWANDA
Introducing Founder, Arlene brown
FEBRUARY 2, 2008 12 Noon
Reservations Required for luncheon no later than Jan. 26
Power Point Presentation in Sanctuary 1:15 p.m.
Reservations Not Required for Presentation Only

Place: McConnellstown UMC, 11251 Ward St., McConnellstown PA 16660
Please RSVP by e-mail to: revmactown@pa.net or by mail PO Box 146, McConnellstown PA 16660
Rt. 22, Huntingdon PA to Rt.26S, 4 mi. Left on Station Rd, Left on Ward St., Church on Rt.
For further information call: 814-627-6750, Rev. Sharon Landis

Happy New Years Day from Mama Arlene in Rwanda

Newsletter New Years Day, 2008
ARLENE IN RWANDA

Greetings My Partners in Ministry,

I begin this letter to you by telling you that Divine now has her Rwandan passport and American visa and on January 13 she will journey with me from Kigali to the United States. There were moments when we were not sure we could secure the necessary documents. Then a friend in Immigration went to bat for us shorting the usual time from many months to two weeks. At the US Embassy I was required to prove custody. This sounds simple but it is not. Recently a group in Chad were caught stealing children from parents and transporting them out of the country as orphans causing tighter restrictions when traveling with a child out of the country. I am thankful that The U.S. Consular, Emily Shafer, and her assistant Bettena bent over backward to get permission for me to bring Divine to the United States. God has made a way.

An Interesting Side Note
Rwanda has finally issued a 2000 franc bill. How exciting for us. We now have a 1000, 2000, 5000 note. Next I am hoping for a 10,000 that will eliminate the bulk in paper money here.

Progress Report on Aline.
What a difference five weeks has made for Aline. If you recall, she came to us suffering with severe malnutrition. Now, with special food, medicine, prayers, and lots of love you can see from the photos posted below how much she has improved thanks to all of you and a loving God.

Christmas for the Children
The non-profit organization, People to People, made Christmas very special for our children at Urukundo Home for Children. The day was filled with many “firsts” for the kids:
First ride on a big bus.
First long trip away from our home.
First visit to the Kings’ Palace in Inyanza.
First meal in a restaurant
First Christmas celebration ever for many!
Each of the children received a new school uniform and a ball These uniforms are made by the sewing school at Pastor Joseph’s United Methodist Church in Gitarama. So as we take care of our kids we also help their students earn money to support their families. God is good. It was a glorious day and I thank all who care about our little ones and made it a very special Christmas.

A STRANGE EXPERIENCE
“I never get pulled over by the traffic police in Rwanda. For me it is rather scary because I don't speak the language. Returning or guest Craig to Kigali the early morning after Christmas was a happening. The policeman standing in the middle of the road waving me over took me by surprise. I was glad Etienne my translator was with me. The officer asked for my driving permit. Digging it out of the glove compartment I handed him the envelope with all my papers. He took out the permit and a smile played on his lips. His words in English were "How you can drive with seventy?" What a question. I replied "no seventy seven". His face broke into a big grin he started to laugh and waving his hands he responded "In Rwanda is impossible." He then wished us a Merry Christmas and waved me on. Ok after dropping Craig at his dwelling place I started back and nearly home I was waved over by two different police. Now this was getting hairy. I could not believe it when the officer simply said in broken English ‘Merry Christmas and a good New Year Madam’. I relaxed and laughed with him and marveled at his kindness all the way home.”

SPEAKING SCHEDULE IN AMERICA
The schedule is a busy one. Keep Divine and me in your prayers as we travel.

January 14 Arrive at Dullas DC. 7:30am Breakfast with Reston fellowship.
January 15 Travel to Williamsport, PA Informal gathering Barner home. Elimsport
January 16 Evening Phelps Chapel Avis area.
January 19 Evening service Saint Johns/Newberry
January 20 Morning Sunday Worship, Saint Johns/Newberry UMC, Williamsport
January 22 Luncheon, Montoursville
January 27 Locust St UMC, Wrightsville PA
January 30 Ecumenical Luncheon, Pine Street UMC, Williamsport
February 2 Luncheon, McConnelstown UMC, State College Area
February 10 Morning Worship, New Bloomfield
February 11-15 Spokane, Washington
February 16 Breakfast, Bethlehem Area
February 17 Lohrs UMC, Hanover Area
February 17 Evening Event, Linglestown, Harrisburg Area
February 20 United Churches Breakfast, Hanover
February 22 Dinner Team Event, Bethlehem Area
February 23 Supporters Event, Bethlehem Area
February 24 Fairplay Gospel, Jersey Shore
February 29 Home to Rwanda

This schedule is not written in stone. Please add your events soon. To do so contact Terry at TAOM1959@comcast.net I look forward to visiting with you while I am home in the U.S.

Mama Arlene's Preliminary Travel Calendar in the U.S.

January 14 Arrive @ Dullas Airport, Washington, D.C. 7:30am

Breakfast with Reston, VA Fellowship.

January 15 Travel to Williamsport, PA.

Informal Gathering @ Barner Home, Elimsport, PA

January 16 Evening @ Phelps Chapel, Avis, PA

January 19 Evening Event to be Decided.

January 20 Morning Worship Services @ Saint Johns-Newberry UMC, Williamsport, PA

January 27 Locust Street UMC, Wrightsville, PA

January 30 Ecumenical Luncheon @ Pine Street UMC, Williamsport, PA

February 2 Luncheon @ McConnelstown UMC, PA

February 4 Williamsport Area High School, PA with Classrooms

February 6 Williamsport Area High School, PA with Classrooms

February 11 - 15 Spokane, Washington

February 16 Breakfast @ Bethlehem, PA

February 17 Worship Service @ Lohrs UMC, Hanover, PA

February 20 United Churches Breakfast, Hanover, PA

February 24 Fairplay Gospel Church, Jersey Shore, PA

February 29 Home to Rwanda

This schedule is not written in stone so it is subject to change and additional apprearences. To schedule your dates for Arlene to visit your church, home or gathers contact:

Terry McMillan Marsh
717-558-8129
TAOM1959@comcast.net
5137 Clover Court
Harrisburg PA. 17111
USA

Arlene in Rwanda Newsletter - December 2007

DECEMBER 2007
ARLENE IN RWANDA

Greetings my Partners in Ministry From Rwanda,

It is an exciting time as I prepare to come to the US for an overdue visit. I have the tickets in hand. It is my prayer that I will be able to visit many of you and share the story of Urukundo Home for Children. This is a home you have made possible.

When I first asked God for land I wanted just enough for a chicken farm and a safe place for our children to play. We completed both projects this month. God had bigger plans and gave us a second adjoining large parcel of land. Now it is time to build the cottages for our children. Presently we house our boys in one rented house and the girls in a second. Moving into our own cottages will eliminate the overhead of rent and other expenses incurred. If we remain in the rentals we will have the expense of replacing outdated electricity and plumbing in houses belonging to someone else. Perhaps you would like to sponsor one of the cottages for girls or one for boys? Can I send you the blueprint and other information for you to decide?

COME VISIT ME IN RWANDA, AFRICA
This is your invitation to come and share some of your time with me. Divine, our first child who came to the home, and I will arrive on January 14. We will return to Rwanda on February 29. This is Divine’s first adventure outside her country. When told she would be going to America her hands flew to her cheeks and she exclaimed, “I don't believe it!" This is way beyond her expectations. Divine is 12 years-old and in the sixth form (grade). She has already been invited to visit my great-granddaughter’s, Jenna, public school in Jersey Shore. Divine is interested in visiting American school classrooms. It will be very different than in Rwanda. I know when you meet her that you will love and embrace her as much as I do.



To attend an already scheduled event with us make sure you sign up here on the Spiritworks page and announcements will automatically be sent to you. To schedule us to come to your home, church, school, or event contact Terry Masch as soon as possible so she can fit you in the schedule. Her phone number is 717-558-8129
and you can email her at taom1959@comcast.net.

NEWS FROM THE GIRLS
Holiday away from home is finished and all are glad to be home. I have been informed three weeks is too long for a holiday. It seems that they missed me as much as I missed them.

Two new girls have come to live with us at our home. Aline, pronounced “Arlene” (Hey, this one shares my name) is three-and-a-half and is very small for her age. She suffers from developmental problems caused by malnutrition and poor living conditions. Aline has a lot of catching up to do and we ask you for serious prayer as she becomes healthy and at home. Anita is our second new child. She is thirteen and in 5th form at school. She told me that she wants to be a doctor.




NEWS FROM THE BOYS
With the chickens moved to the new chicken house the boys decided that there was room at their house for a dog or two. One dog does not work for seventeen active boys. And with the athletic court finished a lot of basketball is played.

Please meet Milliam Benigne Ngendahayo who was born Jan 24, 2007 with a serious heart defect. She needed transport to Wolfson Medical Center in Israel. The surgery was free but the transport was not. She flew with her mother, Dorcas Nitirera, on August 13 and returned October 3rd a healthy baby girl. We of Urukundo are pleased to have been a part in her recovery. Below you’ll see the photo of her mother and father, Pastor Juvanel Ngendahayo, during her visit with us. This is their message to all of you who are partners with me. "We thank God so much because our baby is okay. God bless Urukundo Home for Children for what they have done for us."

I close for now and wish you the blessings of this Advent season as we await the Christ Child. I pray that you make room at the inn and in your heart for him… and all children under God’s care.
Blessings of Advent and Shalom,

Arlene D Brown
BP 179
Founder Urukundo Home for Children
Muhanga District, Rwanda
Office Cell 08769422
My Cell 05102964

If you would like to be a partner with me in mission I would be happy to welcome you as would my Lord. Gifts can be sent to the mission through:
Spiritworks-Rwanda Fund
823 West Cremona St
Seattle, Washington 98119
OR
Rwanda Support
Saint Johns-Newberry UMC
2101 Newberry Street Williamsport Pa 17701

Arlene in Rwanda November Newsletter

Volume #7 October/November
Urukundo Home for Children

Greetings from Rwanda to my partners in Mission.

Arrangements for “job-sharing” managers have volunteered and I am coming home in early January for a five-week visit. And there are still others who are planning to come and help manager the home after my return. I expect I will freeze in the Northeast, but this is the only --almost free-- time I have and so winter it is. I know your schedules are busy and I hope to have the opportunity to share with many of you while I am home. To schedule me to come to your church or group, or for a 1-on-1 visit contact Board Member, Terry Marsh at 717-558-8129,TAOM1959@comcast.net, 5137 Clover Court, Harrisburg PA. 17111

I am excited about coming and with your help plan to bring Divine to help me tell the story of Urukundo. Divine was the first child to come to Urukundo Home for Children and is considered my “First Born”. If you would like to sponsor and meet her let Terry Marsh know.

URGENT NOTICE
The children’s school fees are due the first of January and school starts for 2008 January10. This means that the tuition money for 2008 needs to reach Spiritworks before the last of November.
Thanks to all who contribute so that many children can receive an education and a better, brighter future.

SHARING THE JOY
I know you will enjoy this story about our five-year-old; Bilese.
In October two visitors came for a short visit to Urukundo. They brought a large backpack of clothes for us. When opened we found clothes and shoes for small children. They were the perfect size for Bilese and Annah so they got new clothes and shoes. We then shared the boys and baby clothes with the neighborhood children. Bilese was amazed when she saw the clothing. She sat and stared for a long time. She then turned to Hope our House Mother and with serious big eyes asked, "Mama are we rich now that we have much clothes and many shoes”? The joy on her little face warmed my heart. I am sure it will warm yours also.

SHARING THE SADNESS
Puppy died. We believe she died from food poisoning but we are not sure. It was not deliberate, but our beautiful Puppy is dead. We buried her at the new site. Our kids are heart broken, as am I.
Instantly I said, “No more dogs.” But another puppy appeared at my house from nowhere and of course the kids saw her first and it was love at first sight. She looks a little like Puppy but has a different build. John says she will be bigger than Puppy would have been. Yes, her name is Puppytwo. If you say it fast it sounds okay. The German shepherd, who really missed Puppy came alive again when the new puppy arrived I was outvoted, So, I guess she stays. It was strange how the big dog went into mourning when Puppy died; almost human.

NEWS FLASH FROM THE GIRLS
School is finished for the 2007 term and I am pleased to report our girls did very well. Four ranked first in their class. All ranked in the upper 15% and each child has improved over the last grading period. Remember these classes hold 47 to 71 children per classroom. Tutorial evening classes have paid off. I hope you who sponsor their education are as pleased as I am with their progress.

NEWS FLASH FROM THE BOYS
The boys did not do as well in school but this was their first term with us. I know they will do better in 2008. Ben, our oldest, graduated from Secondary School and is enrolled in the Kigali Health Institute. Below is a photo of John, Ben and me after the Graduation Celebration. Additionally, there is more space for the boys to play now at the home for boys now that the chickens have been moved to the site of the new Urukundo Village. The construction on the Chicken Farm is completed.

The play area (field) for basketball and other sports is ready for the cement. Now workers are clearing and leveling the soccer field. We have a team of neighborhood boys waiting to play our boys. Both fields are not only for Urukundo Village but for the neighborhood. Soccer and basketball are popular sport here. We also want to have a running track around the perimeter of the soccer field. These fields will be used for multiple purposes. Below is a photo of the basketball field waiting for cement.

The foundation for the Nursery School is our next project as funds come in. Because of the different areas and the amount of land, we continue clearing and leveling the grounds.

LOTS OF VISITORS
We’ve been blessed with lots of friends visiting. Below are photos of a Presbyterian team, Craig Haas a family friend who was kind enough to carry a new camera to me; Donna, Terry, Betty, and Pastor Boyd from Indiana County; Mary Eisenhower the granddaughter of US President Dwight Eisenhower and myself. She is President and CEO of People to People. We were very pleased to have her and a team from People to People; Dustin Daughherty.

There is also a photo of the People to People Team enjoying dinner at the our guesthouse while listening to the history of Urukundo.
We were indeed blessed by this visit.

A FINAL WORD
If you would like to be a partner with me in mission I would be happy to welcome you as would my Lord. Gifts can be sent to the mission through:
Spiritworks-Rwanda Fund
823 West Cremona St
Seattle, Washington 98119
Or
Rwanda Support
Saint Johns-Newberry UMC
2101 Newberry Street Williamsport Pa 17701

Shalom,
Mom

Arlene D Brown
BP 179
Founder Urukundo Home for Children
Muhanga District, Rwanda
Cell 08769422

ARLENE IN RWANDA: GIVE THE GIFT OF A SCHOLARSHIP FOR $15

Dear Friends, It is the time to think about renewing school scholarship gifts for the street children ,genocide orphans, HIV/AIDS orphans, and the poor in our community. These scholarships go to orphans and poor children who do not live in our home and can only attend school with our support. Sending these children to school is central to our work and mission here.

Tuition is due at the end of November. If you are an Education Support Partner it is time to renew your annual gift. If you would like to become an Education Support Partner and support one or more of the children just let us know.

This is what one $15 scholarship provides:

1. school fees for the year
2. one uniform
3. one backpack
4. one jacket
5. pens
6 notebooks
7. one pair of shoes

Below are photos of some of the 200 children we supported last year and are hoping to support in 2008. Please consider making a gift to send each child back to school in January.
Send your gifts to:
Spiritworks
823 West Cremona Street
Seattle WA 98119
United States Memo: Education

Thank you for your love and support
Mama Brown, Arlene

Arlene D Brown
BP 179
Founder Urukundo Home for Children
Muhanga District, Rwanda
Cell 08769422

Arlene in Rwanda: October 2007

Volume #6 September/October
Urukundo Home for Children
ARLENE IN RWANDA
The vision is a Children’s Village on a beautiful hill in the heart of Gitarama. Rwanda, Africa. This mission is truly a dream that will become a reality with “God in Charge”.

URUKUNDO VILLAGE
built with love
dedicated to nurture children
There is no limit to the number of children who will pass through our gates in the years to come. Think of the difference you can make in one child’s life… and multiply it by the hundreds. I invite you to make God’s dream a reality.

Each child is a future leader of Rwanda. To that end, it is my dream that every child in Urukundo Village will be given the gift of unbounded love, learn to honor a God of peace, and receive an education that equips them for a better future.

HOW DID URUKUNDO (LOVE) BEGIN?
"God in Charge", has been the motto for this mission since my return to Rwanda in April 2006. I am in awe of a God who answers prayers even before they are prayed. Only “Divine Intervention” explains the accomplishments of the last 17 months; a girls’ home, a boys’ home, a guest house, a chicken farm, and a small house for me. We currently rent these houses. But now, with the land God has given us, we can use rental money toward a permanent home for the children.

I all began with a need to house the chickens and provide a play area for the children. I had some money in a mutual fund in the U.S. for “my old age” and decided that this was “my old age”. I figured there was at least $10,000 in the fund. After all, I wasn't saying to God, "Okay, I trust you. But just in case you fail I have some money in reserve.” How is that faith? As I prepared to sell my stock to buy the parcel of land a friend e-mailed me that if I promised not to cash in my mutual fund for the $10,000 and save it for my old age that she and her husband would personally give me $10,000 to purchase the land. We excitedly purchased land enough to build chicken houses, a garden, a Children’s Chapel, a nursery school, and ten cottages to house 100 children.

As the vision grew, so grew our need for more space. The property beside us was to be developed into a 4-star hotel complex. I met with the project manager to ask if they might sell us the hilltop. Without hesitation he declared we could purchase the entire lot and they would sell it to us for what they paid. Unbelievable! I asked for a hill and God gave me a mountain. Now I knew God was in charge. This doesn’t happen in Rwanda, but it did.

The cost of the land was 70,000 US$. Now, we needed $35,000 in two weeks to secure the sale. I spent a lot of hours on my knees. And I contacted my bank about my mutual funds. To my surprise there was $45,000 in the fund. It is my turn to show faith—as well as keep my word to my friend. I had the $35,000 wired through Spiritworks for the land and kept $10,000 in the account for my old age. The money was wired through Spiritworks and the land is secured. We have six months to come up with the remaining $35,000. I don't know where the money will come from, but I always remember, “God in Change.”

A VISION FOR THE LAND
Chicken House and Garden
It is the rainy season in Rwanda and so we have already planted our first garden that will give us vegetables for the season. We started our chicken business with sixty-three Chickens and fifty-three chicks. Rwandan chickens are small and produce very small eggs but the eggs sell for $1.20 each locally. The new house has been constructed to house 500 chickens. These will be imported chickens and will cost $2.60 each. The larger eggs from these chickens will sell for much more and the market is the hotels in Kigali. The market is available as soon as we can produce. The projected income after expenses will be $7,973 the first year. We have a breakdown of expenses should anyone want to see it and advise.

Children’s Home Cottages
Each of the ten cottages will house thirteen children. Inside is a central room for relaxing, an family eating area, a kitchen, 3 bedroom each housing four girls or boys and one room for the house mother. Each will have big front porch to play upon in the sunshine or the rain.

Play Grounds
The children will have a place to play. To this end a grassy area for tag and soccer and another area for basketball hoops will be prepared Fencing will protect the children in our care.

Central Kitchen
A cost effective main kitchen will supply the children nutritious food three times daily.

Day Care
When the community leaders were told we would have a Day Care one of the leaders asked "can I bring my little girl to your school." I did not take her seriously, but said of course, it isn't built yet". She replied "I know. But I need a safe place for my child while I work". Three weeks later we transported her little one to the hospital. She had been abused and rape. We can prevent this from happening to other children by providing a safe place. I have the blue prints and the cost estimate for the Day Care is 16,719687 rwf or $33,000 USD

Chapel/ and Flower Garden
We need to care for the spiritual needs of these lovely people. Setting in an area easily accessed by the children from inside and the community on the outside will be a Children’s Chapel surrounded by a flower garden. This house of worship will invited all to come.

Staff House
We have staff members, such as our medic and cooks, who need a place where they belong and can call home.

Missionary House
A house must be built for the mission person(s) who will come to serve after me. I will use it as my home base while I am here. It will also house the medical clinic for the sick.

Learning Center
A library and computer room will be the center piece of our English Primary School. Yes, English is the international language and we need to equip our children for the world of tomorrow.

Guest House
Presently we rent a guest house complete with Wifi to welcome international guests. This business employs and provides healthy insurance for two Rwandan families. Now, we need to build our own guest facility so that work crews and others can come who wish to respond to the great needs of the world.

Children’s Chapel
This interdenominational house of worship will be a place to praise God for all the Spirit has done and will do. I have the blue prints and the cost estimate for the chapel is 16,719687 rwf or $33,000 US$

Other Visions and Dreams
With the additional land, dreams are endless. Could there be a College or University to train community leaders and pastors for the future? Incredible as this may sound, today we started an English class for pastors in the small classroom at my house. There were four students. The seed is already planted. We cannot limit God but pray for wisdom and guidance.

Bit by bit the plans are being drawn and coming together. I sense that there are others like myself who feel the tug of God to work here in Rwanda. Could it be you? I also sense that this dream is just the beginning. We cannot limit God, knowing all that is possible.

In Closing, my love to you all. Please remember to keep the vulnerable children throughout the world in constant prayer. Will you consider becoming a partner with me with the Urukundo Village for Children in Rwanda, Africa? Blessed be, Arlene
Gifts can be sent to support this mission through: Spiritworks-Rwanda Fund, 823 West Cremona St., Seattle, Washington 98119, pdbrown@spiritworks.org; http://www.spiritworks.org.
or Rwanda Support, Saint Johns-Newberry UMC, 2101 Newberry Street, Williamsport Pa 1770. If you wish to work with a particular project add a note.
Support for Arlene’s personal expenses can be sent: Spiritworks-Missionary, 823 West Cremona St., Seattle, WA 98119.
Spiritworks is a non-profit Christian Foundation. Statements are sent on a regular basis and these can be used for exemptions on your tax returns.

Exciting Message from Arlene in Rwanda

"OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD" Today September 10th we learned even more what an awesome God we have. As you know and are a witness to it's purchase, the land we have bought is beautiful. The land above ours and to the right of our property is even more beautiful. The top of the hill has a view that takes your breath away. It is the perfect place for a Guest House or a House of Worship. The Lord Will decide which. That land was earmarked for a hotel by important men in government. Our President Paul Kagame is one of the group. God did not let that happen any more than he let the Friends Fellowship build a church on the land we now own. That land was being guarded for us. As you know we needed more land because we are going to have a Nursery School, a Primary School and one day a Secondary School with Dorms. God knows, maybe a university. We will not limit what God can do. John and I had a meeting today September 10th with the spokesperson of the group. I shared with him the vision for the land we now have and expressed an interest in the land to the top of the hill. We shared with him about the schools, the playground for the children and community, the guest house built to house teams and visitors, the Chapel where all would be welcomed to worship, the chicken house for income and most important cottages for the children we now have and those yet to be added. He listened to my proposels and looked at the project blue print and agreed to let us purchase the land. I asked for the hill top and God gave us the whole land. This was way beyond my expectations. He said he had authorization to speak for the group and because he believed we were there working to make life better for the children and the community we could have the land at the price they paid for it. I am thinking the top of the hill. This man was offering the whole parcel. That was when he asked would I be interested in all the land with a token payment and an article of agreement. I could not believe my ears. "God is Good." With this land our land will be about ten times the size it was. The price is 35 million RWF. which is about $70,000 USD. Yes it is a lot of money here but with God all things are possible. We can take the time we need to pay for it. The present need is for $20,000 as soon as possible to bind the deal. I am putting my life savings into this God directed project and I know I will not be alone as I pray others will open their hearts and want to help. It would be a blessing to have 6 millionaires who love the Lord. "God in Charge." I do not have 6 millionaires, not even one, but I know the widow's mite is greatly valued in the eyes of God. Working together we can serve God and the children. Each giving our mite can make a difference. Thank you for what I know will be a great future for the children at Urukundo Home for Children. Shalom Arlene Arlene D Brown BP 179 Founder Urukundo Home for Children Muhanga District, Rwanda Cell 08769422

Arlene in Rwanda Newsletter - September 2007

Urukundo Home for Children Newsletter – September 2007
Arlene in Rwanda
NOTE: See eight (8) photos at the end of the newsletter.
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ and Partners in mission:

The New Urukundo Children's Village
Thanks to you, the land for the Urukundo Children’s Village is now purchased and the chicken buildings are almost completed. God is faithful. Now it is time to move to our first building project. I believe that it is vital to welcome the community to our Christian home. Therefore, our next project is a chapel. I am reminded that the early settlers in America first erected the church building and the community was then built around it. This is our hope for Urukundo Village.
If it is God’s, will we hope to begin building the Children's Chapel in mid-September. The completion of the chapel will then be surrounded by the children’s cottages. The Chapel will be both for the children and the community. The importance of building the Chapel now is to let the community know we are a Christian Village and that we love children and serve the Lord in everything we do. The Chapel will sit in the center of a flower garden with paths leading to the entrances and will greet our visitors in Jesus name. The garden will be designated as a Honor/Memorial Garden in honor of those who have supported Urukundo Home for Children with prayers and gifts.
Inside the Children’s Chapel: "The Vision"
Go with me on a virtual tour. As you enter the chapel you immediately come upon the baptismal and must go around it to get to your seat. This says, "It is time to slow down. This is a special sacred space." Next you see the big Christ Candle on the stand that reminds children that Christ is the "Light of the World". It is lit for all services. We will need a simple wooden stand for the LARGE house Bible. NO PULPIT. People can speak from the center table. This says that all God's children are invited to surround the banquet table of God now and in the kingdom to come. Nothing goes on the table except when communion is served. Then a white cloth is draped. A single cup and a single loaf are on the small stand until it is time for communion after the lesson.

Every service, including Sundays, is to be "Children's Church" filled with music with motions, drums and shaker instruments, and telling a Bible story. Prayer times will be kneeling times for children with their concerns prayed. I think a woman pastor assigned by the bishop would be good for us.
Toddler and Infant area: A simple low railing and little gate will keep it designated and the toddlers’ safe. Rocking chairs and a mat to crawl upon and some toys that are washable are needed.
Chairs and Benches: Older individuals need chairs with low backs. Some benches can also be used. We must make sure the benches are of different lengths so they can be arranged with everyone not looking at someone's back. People should be able to see each other's faces.
BUT... this is important... each child who is a family member of the orphanage will have his or her own individual stool with his or her name on it somewhere. "Belonging" is so, so important. Our children need to know that something belongs to them. It is children who are never allowed to have their own possessions, who later in life don't know how to share and give. It is as we have been given abundantly that we are then able to give in the same manner.
BIG Gates: These, at the rear of the chapel, facing the lawn next to the road can then be swung open so that we can seat more people; it will serve as an overflow seating area. This also allows us to build on later when adjoining property becomes available.
Windows: Again, these will be long and high to give light to the building but not interfere with the seating. The height also serves as a protective measure.
Book Shelves: These sit in the back for bibles and song books or what ever needs to be set here. This can be a built-in shelf when the building is constructed.
Lighting: I want anything but bare bulb florescent lighting! We could create our own hanging ceiling lights in cans. Or, we could build wooden boxes along the ceiling to use fluorescents that would illuminate upward. But, I don't want to kill the feeling of holiness of the room by creating glaring light.
Our Present (Rented) Home

Home for the Girls
There is no more room at the Home for Girls with the new addition of Esperance Savoronia We have no more beds. There are many orphans who want to come live with us so it is hard to say “there is no room at the inn”. The new site will provide for many more of these needy children. With the increase it was necessary this week to move the dinning room into the larger of our two main rooms of the girls’ home. Visitors also eat at our tables when they come. Each table has a name: The American Table, The African Table, and The Canadian Table in honor of David Ottier and Kirsten Cavendish & Bill Ginter, our visitors from Canada.

“Puppy”, one of our new guard dogs is a four-week-old African mix. The second, “Babe” is a four-month-old German Shepherd. Babe is already a good watch dog and when grown Puppy will be a strong dog as well. The dogs intimidate the children who will learn to trust them with time.

Home for the Boys
The boys have decided to get serious about the Chicken business. They, with the guidance of Papa John, have set about ten hens and we have over fifty chicks in the shed with more hatching every day. Chickens don’t thrill me, but the boys love the project. Bill Graf a visitor from Colorado introduced them to the Frisbee and it has become a new pass time. Bill also witnessed the signing of the property deed. God has blessed us by having Americans present at all our transactions. Creditability is very important.

This week the boys were challenged by a school soccer team so they are excit4d about Saturday’s game. I am learning more about soccer everyday and will be there to cheer them on.

The Chicken Project
This to has been a learning experience. I have discovered how much I don’t know about construction and chickens in Rwanda. I think in terms of chickens on my Grandfather Stiners’ farrm. The metal roof is ready to be put on thanks to Pastor Ed Wentz his wife, Norma and his brother Bob in Hanover. Thank you all!

United Methodist Woman Gitarama
It gave me great pleasure to meet the President and Secretary of the UMW in Gitarama. Together we presented twenty goats to an HIV/AID Association in the United Methodist Church. This is the fourth church group we have been able to assist in helping HIV/Aids affected families. The churches are: Mpushi Presbyterian Church, Byimana Pentecostal Church, Gitarama United Methodist Church, and Gitarama Lutheran Church.

Bishop of East Africa Conference: It was my pleasure and honor to meet UMC Bishop Daniel Wandabula of the East Africa Conference. The worship service took place in Kigali City. It was a privilege to hear him speak and to listen to his plans for the future of the United Methodist Church in Rwanda. This unscheduled service was attended by several hundred Christians.
Rwanda UMC continues to struggle after the unfortunate events caused by the past district superintendent, Jupa. He did so much harm to many supporting church families and the UMC Rwanda in general. The Bishop is working to have the UMC once again registered with the government. Please include him in your prayers as you pray for all the churches in Rwanda.
IN CLOSING: In closing, I am asking for your help to make the vision become a reality. There are so many dreams that God has set before us and I thank each of you for your continuing faithful support of all that is happening. So, have fun and choose a project and support it. Designate on your gift where your heart is and how you want to help. You can direct questions to me at Arlene@spiritworks.org I love hearing from you. Remember to pray for the vulnerable children in Rwanda and throughout the world. There are so many. If you would like to be a partner with me in mission I would be happy to welcome you as would my Lord.
Gifts can be sent to the mission through: Spiritworks-Rwanda Fund, 823 West Cremona St, Seattle, Washington 98119 Web site: www spiritworks.org
OR -- Rwanda Support, Saint Johns-Newberry UMC, 2101 Newberry Street, Williamsport Pa 17701
Arlene D Brown, Founder
BP 179
Urukundo Home for Children
Muhanga District, Rwanda
Cell 08769422