Update on Nursery Construction

The nursery construction is going well and hopefully will be done by the second week in October. The new nursery will be made up of three rooms and a large utility/bathroom. The space will be well used with our eight babies and three mommas that are currently in the small two room nursery in the boy's home.

Growing Up

Hillie is growing stronger at six months. He is very capable of telling us when he is hungry!

Sarah and mamma Mahoro spend some quality time together.

Visitors for September

Joe and Michelle Halonen came back to visit Urukundo Home for children in September on their return trip to Rwanda. The Halonens are from the same area of Arizona as Todd and Andrea and have known Todd and Andrea for a long time.

Stateside News from Mama Arlene August 2010

Missing the children at Urukundo is the down side of our trip to the US. It is disturbing to think about how much the kids, especially the babies, will have grown while I am away. We are blessed because we do have Skype and so get to see them occasionally. The time difference sometimes makes that difficult.
We have traveled many miles and have many yet to go. We are being treated most royally, greeting old friends and making new friends along the way. The end of August finds us in California. We are so blessed.

It is my pleasure to report to all who have been praying for the addition of a nursery that a gift was received, sent to Urukundo and the Nursery is under construction. Glory be to God.

The next project will be the day care and preschool. Prayers please, as we continue our journey.

Thought you might like to see my wonderful family in America.

Mama and Children

Lilliane's Continuing Adventures

Lilliane is having a magical time in the US.
On the left : August 1st was her 15th birthday.




On the right : reunion with Talia; driving a four-wheeler in PA.



Washington Monument and the Kennedy Center : Lilliane and friends in Washington DC,


Grand Canyon, Arizona

Lilliane with Native American cowboys

Greetings from Todd Ellingson in Rwanda for August 2010

We are very excited that the nursery walls are almost done. Construction started again after a generous donor gave us a gift a month ago. The new nursery is located attached to the girl's dorm. The current nursery is in the boy's dorm and is crowded with eight children and three mamas.


Arlene continues her travels in the USA (details of her schedule can be found here); in the meantime here are a few snapshots of daily life at Urukundo:

The boys play marbles almost every day.


Johnny, Sarah, Rebecca make the most out of a cardboard box.


Praying mantis are common around Urukundo.

Saying Goodbye

John Kayitare, on our executive team, was sent on his way with prayer. John will be attending a university in Uganda for three years. John will be deeply missed. He hopes to one day be a parliament member!



Secondary School kids head back to King David's Academy after a month long break. We rented a public transport van to take the ten children back to their boarding school. These types of schools are very popular in Rwanda for high school. King David's is one of the top three boarding schools in Rwanda.

Craft-time with Ruthie

Ruthie, originally from Nigeria but now lives in England, came back for her third visit. The children love her story telling, singing and crafts. Ruthie had the children make greeting cards to Mama Arlene for her return.

Dr Peter with Amin

Dr. Peter is an eye specialist from Belgium. He has made a four year commitment to Rwanda and we are fortunate to have him located 10 minutes away at Kabgayi Hospital. Dr. Peter was the one who brought Claudine to Urukundo because she had cataracts. Pictured above is Amin. Amin was suffering from irritating eye allergies. Dr. Peter injected medicine directly into his eyes. Amin is feeling much better now.