Celebration!
I am 92 today, Dec. 9, 2022, Wow!!! Each year I say no more celebrations, but it happens just the same. So much for being the boss.
The cake was huge. Take note; it must be large to share with 108 adults and many kids.
The decorations are blue. In case you did not know, blue is my favorite color.
On the Monday after the party, students on the playground made a pretend birthday party for me.
Hope you can see the three candles on the pretend cake.
My Rwandan family is maturing. Not only are they graduating from university and going into business, but they are finding soulmates to spend the rest of their lives with. I am honored to announce the following:
Tresor popped the question.
She said, “Yes.”
Sandra is lovely. I am delighted to welcome a new member to the Urukundo family. Congratulations to both.
Thanks to the successful move of the Urukudo HopeMadeReal Dental Clinic, many changes are taking place inside the compound. One of those is a new location for the Worship Center’s office. It now sits closer to the center and is user-friendly for the congregation.
This building was our first dental clinic.
With some changes, it is now an office for Pastor Yves and the Worship Center.
Along with a new location, the center now has a stamp of its own.
Impressive, I hope.
Pastor’s assistant Chantel helped Pastor Yves bring order to the new office.
The space provides a much better work area for Pastor Yves to meet and greet.
Preparing a little bit before Christmas.
I want to share with you my bit of Christmas joy. The little tree is my American side. The backdrop is Rwandan culture. Combining both is my lifestyle. These nativities crafted in Rwanda and locally are so special to me. The doves of peace and red ribbons make for a simple tree decoration.
I am so blessed to have all of you in my life and ministry.
An even more special tree. The ornaments on this tree were created by my Rwandan children. On the back of each ornament is the child's name and the year it was created. I love the decorations on this tree.
Each child received cookies, a lollipop treat and a small gift on Dec. 24.
A bit smaller than expected. Covid is still a concern with parents and gatherings. The kids enjoyed watching an animated movie about the birth of Jesus. Like the children, I enjoyed hearing the animals talk as they took part in the birth.
Bob the builder was an added attraction.
Urukundo Worship Center thanks the Presbyterian Worship Center for sharing its baptistry with us. The baptisms took place on Christmas Eve day.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Family and church members viewing the baptisms.
Awesome!
Pastor Yves shares the joy.
Bibles in Kinyarwanda were presented to all 20 who were baptized on Christmas Eve day.
We are so blessed as many of our youth have taken this important step.
John, Dianne, Esperance, Bosco, Belise, Joyce, Soso (holding Christmas bag), Forever, Mama, Abais, Lucky and Claude. So happy 11 members of my Rwandan family made it home for Christmas Day. Missed the others.
December is special in my calendar year. I thank everyone who took the time to extend birthday wishes to me. Thank you. It is a joy to be remembered. More importantly, I thank everyone who took this month of giving and reached out to Urukundo/Hope Made Real and its mission to the children and families in Rwanda. Your support makes a difference for so many.
Happy New Year 2023!
Urukundo does not celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday, but we have so much to be thankful for this November.
Urukundo Dental Clinic was given approval as a Health Care Facility in Rwanda. The dental clinic is registered with the Rwanda Development Board, and we are official. We are in the new building, and the new license has been issued.
Thanks to all who helped make this happen.
Dental Clinic in progress. Handicap parking and ramp are a must.
We are thankful for improvements to the Dental Clinic.
From this ...
to this.
From this …
to this.
From this …
to this …
and this.
Sterilization is so important. The old sterilization room.
The new sterilization room.
What a difference the move has made for our dental staff and clients!
The renovation is complete except we are waiting for our new chair to be delivered. The room is ready. This chair will be for orthodontics.
After several months of no assemblies because of Covid, our students had an assembly.
Various school clubs available for students to join gave presentations. It was awesome.
The November assembly for students and teachers. Kids enjoyed a break after a month of hard studies. Fun is important along with school work. The various clubs gave presentations to the student body.
The English Club did a radio broadcast with news, weather and interviews.
The French Club sang songs (of course, in French).
Karate Club
Karate Club is now part of the extra school activities. The team demonstrated moves.
Dance Club
Cultural Dance Club in action. Beautiful!
Kinyarwanda Club
The Kinyarwanda Club did a presentation on the calabash, which is a large gourd used to churn cream from milk to make butter in early Rwandan culture. Mom and Dad were teaching the children the history of the calabash and its use.
