Update on Claudine

Doctor Petrie and his patient.
Glasses for our girl.

Even more recently Claudine has started creeping, and one day soon I know she will walk. Truly this little girl is one of God's miracles. What a joy she is to watch.

Runners Beware!

Running on the mountain is a wonderful experience but can prove hazardous to your health. Check with Jessica. A sprained ankle from stepping in a hole slowed her down - but not for long.
Well, it did give her a rest. The ankle is better and she is "back to work as usual".

Visitors for February

Danice Brown, no relation, was our very first volunteer. Urukundo opened on May 1st 2006. Danice arrived June 3rd 2006. We were so pleased to see Danice after such a long time.
She was surprised to see the little girls she new are now as tall or taller than she is. Her arrival was a celebration as she did not have enough arms to hug all the girls at once. Danice was with us before the boys became a part of our family.
Welcome home Danice.

Danice's comment 'Urukundo’s rate of progress is downright miraculous'.


Pedja Jurisic
This young man is a immigrant to the US from Bosnia. His home in America is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He has been with the Peace Corps and stopped to visit Urukundo on his way back to the US. He hopes to go to Graduate School to study Political Science.

Greetings from Mama Arlene in Rwanda for January 2010

First, to all who love and support the children at Urukundo Home in Rwanda:

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010
May it be the best year yet.

Request:
Trip home to pray for. July through September. Three months. The Lord willing.

Counting Blessings and Asking for Help

The need for a Home for Babies grows more critical every day. The Ministry of Family and Gender of the Rwanda Government has asked us to receive two more babies. We will include them in the February newsletter with their history.

Our plan and hope is to build an annex attached to the present Girls' Home with a separate entrance. This will save us some construction cost since one wall with foundation is already present. Your help is needed.

Sarah


Rebekah


David


Johnnie


Laki


Claudine

The Grand Opening of our Multi-Purpose Center

The family gathering for the official opening of the center. The building still needs face boards, gutters and some lawn in front but for our purposes, it can be used.



We gathered on the lawn with our guests singing praises to the Lord for this wonderful gift.



Ribbon ready for cutting.



It seemed only appropriate that members of the team from Wesley UMC, Bloomsburg, Pa who broke ground for this building in 2008 happened to be here for this joyous occasion. "God in Charge"



Sandra Walker, Ed Keller, Leslie Hafner



Kids, benches, bibles & song books.



A word of encouragement from Ed. John as translator



I put in my two cents worth with John helping out.

'Hope House'

The kids are delighted to have a house that will serve so many uses. At the top of that list is:
1. A place to worship.


2. A celebration place.






3. A library and computer learning center.


4. A dorm when teams of more than 10 come to visit and work at Urukundo Village.

Knit Gifts

The girls model sweaters knitted by a special sister in Christ, Beth German from Bloomsburg, Pa, as a gift to our children.



The dresses made by The Wesley Dressmakers are colorful and appreciated by our girls. This is the second time Wesley dressmakers have supplied dresses. Their love of the Lord and service to the children is a blessing to us.

Scholarship Fund Report

Thanks to all of you, our scholarship drive was amazing. 330 orphans and children of very poor families are going forward in education. Below are just a few of the kids you are helping to have a better future.

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.



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



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

Visitors for January

Jessica Cobbett
Jessica is from many places. She was born in South Africa, Moved to England and currently lives in DC, USA.
She has come as a volunteer and will be with us for three months.
Jessica helps bath and feed the babies, attends the Library, has a sports program with the kids. She likes to run and they join her. Great exercise especially running up a mountain. For me walking the mountain is exercise enough. Way to go Jessica.



Sandy Walker, Leslie Hafner, Ed Keller
This team's was with us a very short six days. The six days were very busy days and we were blessed.
They visited the Kings Palace, National history Museum, Land of Joy farm, Gatagare Hospital for Handicapped Children (this hospital specializes in making and fitting prosthesis for Children) and the Batwa Pottery Village.

Greetings from Mama Arlene for December, 2009

Christmas was fun for the children, but I came down with a severe cold and chest congestion the day before Christmas and of course kept pushing with everything that had to be done. I accompanied Pastor Sharon and Tom to the airport Christmas day and took part in a Board meeting for the Urukundo Foundation on Saturday closing out the year and then my body said enough. Two days after Christmas it decided I needed a rest and the staff put me to bed. The kids have been great, making sure I have food and drink and letting me rest, but colds have to run their course and recovery is slower that I would like. I am on the mend and expect to be back in full gear today or maybe tomorrow.
I have received many wonderful Christmas greetings from friends and family this month along with pictures and I appreciate all of them. It helps me feel closer to home and knowing I am loved is very important.