November and December Birthdays

We celebrated both months' birthdays the last Sunday in November knowing the end of December we celebrate the birth of Jesus. That overshadows ordinary birthdays.
The cakes were beautiful. Seven birthdays were celebrated including mine. I find it awesome that God has allowed me 79 years and except for an occasional cold very good health.

Christmas at Urukundo Village

Giselle, Esperance, Aline and Natete help make the tree beautiful.

Aline

The tree is artificial - there are no blue spruce (my favorite tree for Christmas) in Africa.

Worship the Sunday before Christmas

The kids did a great presentation from the view point of the Shepherds - interesting concept.

The Halos kept slipping.
The dvd player was a Christmas gift to the kids from Pastor Sharon and Tom Landis - the thought is dvd's are lighter and cost less to send.

Angels and shepherds.

Johnny did not appreciate being a stand in for Baby Jesus.

Christmas Day

Mama
Each of the children received a t-shirt, song book and bible.

Kinyarwanda bibles and song books Lilliane and Salonge asked for English bibles and received them.
Becky assisted mama in giving gifts.

Lilliane, Florentine and Deborah Presented a cultural dance.

The boys did their part - Tresor, Emmanuel, Abis.

First and foremost we thank God for his son Jesus whose birthday we celebrate.

It was a day of joy and celebration. The program put on by the children was special and all our visitors were welcomed.
Visitors Tom and Pastor Sharon presented the children with a DVD player, Miceala gave them a basket ball, Karen and Becky brought lollipops with gum inside and Talia from Bloomsburg sent chocolate bells for all the kids. Chocolate is a special treat here. Thank you Talia.
Staff received song books for worship and a gift of Amafranga (money).
John gave us a goat from his farm and so there was meat for dinner and the cooks outdid themselves with a fresh fruit mix (fruit cocktail in America), fresh peas and carrots and a cucumber and onion salad all from our garden. It was wonderful. We praised God for our bounty and for each other.

Special Notice

Earth Class Mail was a great idea, but we forgot to take into consideration the handicap of the internet system in Rwanda. Power is not dependable and no power means no internet. Waiting 20 minutes to scan each piece of mail and a further 20 minutes to open the scanned mail, only to find out it did not detect the check because it scanned it sideways was not ideal! Trying to get the mail sorted on my own was not an easy task and so I am admitting defeat and we will go back to the old snail mail process.
The address will still be a post office box but not in Philadelphia. It will be in Williamsport, which was the place of our origin.
The new address is:

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

New Board Takes Office

January 1st sees changes in Hope Made Real. My thanks to the previous Board for a job well done. Their job was not easy. Growing pains and learning experiences have brought us to where we are today. Thanks to them we have prospered and now move ahead in 2010.
Patricia, Christian, Cindy, Mary, Terry, Ed & Laurie - my thanks to each of you, the pioneers of HOPE MADE REAL. We could not have done it with out your love and perseverance.
~Mama Arlene

Please note the names and contact details of the new Board of Directors.

Priority Project

Finish construction on the Multi Purpose Center "HOPE HOUSE"

Windows and doors needed.

Ceiling boards and tile for the floor are essential.

We are a faith ministry and in faith we know God is in Charge.
Our mission outreach after feeding, clothing, lodging and educating the Urukundo kids is to the aid children in Rwanda.
The update for scholarships given by you will be in the next newsletter. It is not too late to give the gift of a scholarship.
Send your gift of $16 for a needy child by Paypal or to:
Hope Made Real
Arlene D Brown
PO Box 3222
Williamsport Pa 17701

GOD BLESS US EVERY ONE
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Greetings from Mama Arlene for November, 2009

The month of Thanksgiving is here and Urukundo and I have so much to be thankful for. We are counting our blessings (42 children) and are thankful to our Lord for each of those blessings. I thank you for you have been faithful in supporting this ministry. That support not only feeds and cares for the children who live in our village but provides education for the very poor, vulnerable children throughout the region. A donation of just $15 makes a big difference.
Yes, $15 allows us to provide the necessary items needed for a child to receive an education and a better start for a promising future. If you are able to, please consider adding an extra dollar ($16), since prices have gone up in Rwanda, like the rest of the world.
Last year we were able to provide educational scholarships for 329 impoverished children giving them hope in Kigali and South Province.
This year we are nowhere near our goal - yet.

Don't delay, do it today! Make a difference in our world - yours, mine and the children in Rwanda.




LETS KEEP THEM IN SCHOOL!

Thanksgiving Picture from our Village

Our children have had no serious illnesses this year. My own health has been good even with the eventful surgery. This year, we have added 4 new babies to our family - Claudine, Johnny, Sarah, Rebecca. Our children have done well in school and all have passed to the next level. Claudine is a miracle.

Olivier only graced the picture with his leg. Guess he is shy!

Ongoing Project

Under construction is our all-purpose building "Hope House". It will be the Worship Center and will house the Library and Computer training center. Needs doors and windows. Love the blue roof. My favorite color.

Update on Claudine

This has been a glorious month. Claudine's vision is improving and her eyes are bright with recognition. Praise God.
This picture was taken in her hospital crib before her heart repair surgery. She won the hearts of the surgical team from Australia and hospital staff. They have asked to see her when they return next year.
The pink lion is a gift from Louisa, our friend from the UK who works in the Government Offices and visits Urukundo every weekend.





After surgery



My helper, Divine, at the hospital taking care of both me and Claudine. We are blessed.



Lou Lou Lion and Claudine

Claudine spent the first week after surgery sleeping with me in my room to be sure she was ok and now she is back in her own crib with the other babies.

Unexpected Celebration

Pastor Leonard, the new pastor, and the 4 cell leaders from the sector of Mpushi Presbyterian Church paid honor to Urukundo for gifts given to the community.
The group came to the village and presented us with a beautiful black female (ewe) sheep from the church and green bananas from the farming community. The children from the area who we are helping send to school and poor families who received clothes sent us a gift of fanta.