When I originally wrote this post, I wanted to share everything that was going on so it is a little long. If you would rather skip to the details that interest you, feel free to check out the tags on the RIGHT.
Example:
- Donations
- Goals
- Kids in Africa
- Prayer Requests
- Schedule
- SCORE Begins
- Trip
Hello and thanks for stopping by to find out more about SCORE and the children of Rwanda.
Last year our family moved to Colorado to work with a church that has an amazing non-profit called Village Makeover.
The "Village Makeover" is not about charity... it's about impacting lives. It is accomplished in transferring skills and capacity to them, for them to build communities that are lasting and sustainable.We realized that this is an incredible opportunity, as my wife and I felt that we were being called to do something more in the mission's area... so here we are.
The Village Makeover has been working with a village in Cyanika, Rwanda. This is a village that has been war torn and left devastated from the genocide. There are over a thousand orphans in this part of the country alone that were left with nothing and nowhere to go after this horrible event.
Village Makeover and Vinelife Church have worked with the Rwandan government towards change and hope for this village and its people. Together we're not only striving towards taking care of their practical and spiritual needs, but also working towards teaching them commerce and banking so that they can one day be thriving, self-sufficient villages. We have a long way to go, even when talking about banks and businesses. There are only a few buildings that even have electricity, one being the church and I believe the other one is the government building. None of the huts (homes) have this basic luxury.
In talking to those that have been there, we found out that the kids in this area are loved, but pushed aside. The adults just don't know what to do with them, especially since there are so many. God made it clear that He wants us to go in and provide a way for them to connect and see what it's like to be a thriving part of the community.
What do the kids do now?
There are a lot of chores for the kids to do each day. Other than that, they amuse themselves with whatever they can. We were told that during the last trip, the kids would beg for their empty water bottles. They would fill them with dirt and use them like a ball for toss and other games they made up.
In this picture you can see a little boy (in the white shirt) with a water jug. This is the most important job they have. The kids spend most of their days carrying water to the village from a nearby lake. Vinelife is currently in the process of working towards a water system so that these children can attend school as opposed to being the water supply.
What exactly will we be working on during this trip?
* Building a Soccer Field
* Constructing Homes and Roofs
* Working to Teach Adults how & the importance of Mentoring kids
* Sidewalk Sunday School
* Providing kids with their first pair of shoes
* Leadership Teaching
* Educating Orphans through our scholarship program
* Pastoral Support
As it turns out there is a perfect field in the village. It needs a lot of work, but it's fairly flat and large. As of right now, we are working with a large athletic supplier to see about getting a grant to provide equipment and shoes for the kids (from what we understand, none of the kids in the village have shoes).
In the building of this field, we will also work with the adults of the village to interact with the kids in constructing, coaching, and mentoring to build those relationships.
When are we going?
The trip is scheduled from May 19 through June 3 -- and here's the exciting part, two of our kids want to go, as well. We're trying to take Ben (17) and Brandon (21).
Ben will be going for several reasons. He will be filming and documenting everything that SCORE and the Village Makeover is doing. This will lead to more opportunities for the community to get involved in this project in the States as well as documentation for future grant support for this village.
Brandon will be working on constructing the homes, roofing, and soccer field, as well as working with the kids.
Unfortunately, we got a late start in fund raising and haven't met our goal yet.
We were going to put the trip off until the Fall until we heard from our contact in Rwanda.
The word has gotten out that we are coming to build the soccer field and everyone is so excited. They have even planned a big party. Willy (the pastor there) told us that we have to understand that there is NOTHING like this over there.
We also asked how many kids may show up for the "Opening Day" of the field... we were wondering what we would do if 500 kids showed up.
When asked Willy laughed and said there could be 2 - 3,000 kids there!
It's clear that we are meant to go, but we need support to do it.
How can you help?
This trip provides an opportunity to meet the physical, spiritual, and practical needs of a community. More than anything, we would LOVE your prayers for our family and our team and those whose lives will be touched by God through us. We believe that God answers prayers, and I'm asking you to pray for safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support. Just knowing that you will be praying will give us peace as we go into an unfamiliar place.
Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join us by financially supporting this mission, we would be grateful. Our family needs to raise just over $13,000 to cover the total cost of the trip. I know this this is a lot of money and only a short time frame to get it all together, we wouldn't be doing this if we weren't absolutely sure we are supposed to be there this Spring.
We want to extend an invitation to you to participate. This is a journey that God has called us to and we would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.
Ways that you can be a part of this and support Matthew, Tammy, Brandon, and Ben in reaching God's vision to restore and heal those in Rwanda.
Prayer
First and foremost, we would love your prayers. We cannot do this without prayer coverage.
As stated above, our prayer needs for right now are:
safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support
Financial Support
If you would like to help support us financially, there are several ways you can do this.
If it is at all possible, we would love to have the support sent in by May 4th. This will help us to calculate and figure out where we are and the opportunities available to us.
OPTION 1
Online - Secure, Fast, and Easy To Do (follow the directions below)
This is done through a secure site on our church website.
Please note that you will not be solicited for further giving or information.
A) Go to the website at Vinelife Church
B) On the top of the page you will see four links, click "Give Online"
C) You will need to make a password and username (You will receive a tax receipt for your donation)
D) In "Fund" click the drop down menu and choose "Rwanda May 2009"
(Picture below)E) Next, there will be another drop down menu exactly next to it, choose "The Haney Family"
F) Complete the rest of the information and you are done. Thank you
OPTION 2
Check/Money OrderSend to:
Vinelife Church
7845 Lookout Rd.
Longmont, CO
80503
ATTN: Africa Missions
*Please do not put our name in the memo line, instead write "The Haney Family" on a separate piece of paper and place it in the envelope along with the support.
*Checks/Money Orders need to be made out to Vinelife Church and in the memo line, please write "Africa".
If you have any questions about the financial support, you are welcome to call Bryan Hehr (Financial Director @ Vinelife).
bhehr@vinelife.com or 303.449.3330
Also, please feel free to check in with us if you have any comments or questions.
In His care,
Matthew Haney
Family Pastor @ Vinelife Church
Colorado
mhaney@vinelife.com
