Jan 4 09 I’m writing this on the plane and hoping to get access to some for of technology for an upload. I thought I would go backwards for a bit as many people in the past few weeks have asked how I got started on this journey of helping people in Rwanda and what is it exactly that we do. The long answer is to read this blog from the bottom up as it tells you the story of my heart and these people for the past couple of years. And yes, it’s a long read. The short way is to check out the very rugged website that I built with iweb via Calmministries.org. The medium answer is what follows. Early 2006 I felt this calling to go to Africa to help with kids. Didn’t know where, Didn’t know how. I asked my parents if we could take our annual trip (we go somewhere around the world each year) back to some place in Africa that year (we’d been to 5 countries in that particular continent already. They say sure. That was Feb. In March, I felt the calling in a serious was and thought …”well I said I would go, it would of course be during our annual trip window in Oct or November” And then put it to rest. In April the booming in my head was loud “why are you still here!!!!” Oh, I guess I better get my act together and make it happen. I reached out to Oprah who was rumored to be doing something in S Africa – no reply. Then I reached out to Compassion Intl thru whom I sponsor a child. They said they don’t do “solo” trips – just the prearranged preplanned kind. I told them that I knew I was being called so some door would open somewhere. The HR person offered to reach out to “the busiest guy I know in the world – saying those are the best ones to reach out to in this kind of situation” to see if he might have an idea. His name is Laurent Mbanda. Within a very short window he replied that I could come to Rwanda or Etheopia. Then later said, “come to Rwanda to help Chantal open home for Orphans.” That’s all I needed. 2 weeks later I was on a plane with $4500 in funding for the homes and 300 pounds of supplies. When I first asked Chantal if I could bring anything she said no. But then little by little the list started growing when she knew I was serious about helping. I got the word out to all my friends….especially those with kids who rallied in a HUGE way. The kids picked out gently used toys from their treasures and brought them over. My house was filled to the gills with diapers, shoes, socks, toys etc etc. The “mamas of the hood” took it from there, they sorted, prioritized etc etc. They packed the bags, weighed the bags and sent love with each item that was sent. It truly was a village helping village experience. Erika and Schmidl took me to the airport and helped with the bags etc. As we stood there saying goodbye we knew I would never be the same again. What I was about to experience would be life altering …we didn’t know how…we just knew it would be. Fast forward. This is my 3rd trip. But I email Chantal at least 2-3 times a week to check on the kids and what’s happening. I spend my free time raising money for the kids and speaking out on genocide. (Get smart on the genocide currently taking place in Darfur @ savedarfur.org). Chantal and Mbanda (husband/wife) have come through Mpls several times for funding raising opportunities and to say thank you to the kids who have worked so hard to raising money at the lemonade stand. We’ve visited in Colorado as well. We now have 3 homes with the property on which to build the 4th and 5th homes when the funds are developed. The model is the same as it was for the 1st home. Place 10 kids (infant to around 5 when they arrive) Each of the children or orphaned or abandoned. Some leaving on the street and scrounging for this need meal. Imagine your 5 year old having to do that. We then find a widow to be the “mommy” , 2-3 yound ladies to be the “aunties” and a new family is born. These are truly HOMES…Chantal corrects anyone who calls them Orphanages. These kids are our kids. They will be with us forever. They are part of our family. The names of the homes is NEW HOPE HOMES…as each truly gives the child hope for their future. The bible calls us to help the Orphans and Widows. The beauty in this model as Kristen Cavallo from The Martin Agency likes to point out is that here they take care of each other. The widow has so much love to give and the kids are in need of all of that love. I thank each of you for caring enough about these kids to follow along in the adventure of this trip. To the kids who raised $990 at a lemonade stand this summer – enough to send 3 of our kids to school I send a special shout out. Your ONGOING commitment leaves me speechless. To those who donated money or clothes, shoes etc know that these items will be change their world. Last I was there the kids all walked around in the old 99cent flip flops that were wayyyyy to big for most of their feet. Today I am bringing with me a Ziploc bag for each child with a new pair of shoes, socks, underwear, outfit and a toy. Ya, I imagine it will fill like Santa feels when I have the joy of sharing them with each child. Directly from you to them. Special thanks to my friends at Lowe who rallied answering the needs of many kids. For those who are new and are just wanting to learn more. Thank you. Your emotional support and prayers are everything. There is so much more to share and – like I said…this is the MEDIUM length version of the story. 2 quickies. Many have asked how you get to Rwanda. The answer is States to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Nairobi, Nairobi to Burundi. Burndi to Rwanda. The homes are near Kigali about 20 mins from the airport. Some quick factoids about Rwanda Tiniest country in the continent,. Most densly populated as well. 1 of 5 countries in the world with a life expectancy under 50 Average person makes about $210/year. Basically a buck a day. Kids go to school until the 6th grade complements of the government. Funding is required if you want to go further. (The student teacher ratio is 75:1 so that ‘s why we send our kids to private school - $310/year. MORE than the average person makes in a year.) Chantal and Mbanda believe that educaton is the key to uplifting their country and it’s people thus they make it a high priority). And yes Sarah and Abby...big hugs coming from you to them via me. The journey continues..