Comfort Rwanda Blog

Friends and partners

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:54:00 +0000

We received the following letter recently from Paul and The Living Church.

"Our dear beloved Friends and partners in this Journey of building the peace of our Lord in our world.
I start by greetings and warm best wishes from Rwanda.
Thank you for praying for our country in this healing period after the Genocide all this time we have nursing the wounds left by it. You have prayed for us, visited us or even supported us in any way or whether given your funds in any way to support Rwanda.
God has done tremendous things over these years through His people.
1. Good leaders – God has given us wonderful leaders especially our president. He has been an answer to move Rwanda from dust to beauty. Some people don’t see it but we see it here in the country. Rwanda had no institution after the genocide so the government and the church and people all built from scratch. Rwanda was full of despair, misery, hatred, devastation, manipulation and discrimination were full in the minds of people and worst of all human life was almost non existence. People’s hearts were full of hatred, people were hopeless, and our identity as a nation was wrapped in shame, guilt and self pity. The church stood and prayed without ceasing, the government did a wonderful job to set up a good governance system and all together as one built human life, self confidence, self esteem, human rights, and mostly the hope for the future. The church organized things like Hope Rwanda which brought hope in the hearts of people. The church also had the intersession teams of people who called themselves Watchmen and through their ministry God has sent forward prophecies some of which we have seen and others that we are looking forward to be part of. I personally thank all of you for standing with us in prayer, support, and ministry to Rwanda you are friends indeed. Many things have been done by the church and government hand in hand. Reconciliation and healing of the nation plus Hope building. We thank all of you, we know we are not alone but very many people including you are standing with us. So don’t grow weary or tired keep praying and supporting us because we have seen what prayers can do to our country and we have learnt that good friends like you can make one stand his feet and move forward. Now any Rwandan can go anywhere, do anything just like anybody else and all of us proud to be called Rwandans.

2. The elections were well organized – the wounds, shame, guilty and self-pity can’t be over just in sixteen years but despite all that Rwandans have come to think beyond that. Though some people still hurt, others have genocide ideology but we are rising above it. We have seen the best elections in Africa. If we say saw we mean it because we were part of it. It was calm, free, and fair. Our good leader is still leading us and we pray for him not to turn out like all other African leaders who end up being dictators and we have faith that he will finish his course well.

3. Ministries serving the community are becoming everyone’s mission like at our church the living church(which is a reconciliation church) we support children coming from very poor families by contributing something little to their school fees, we have a program of micro finance to the widows in our church and we see them change their life, we have taken over 70 children from the streets and now most of them have reunited to their families and others we accommodate them, we do all we can though it’s a drop in the ocean, we do healing and reconciliation retreats with pilgrim center, practical reconciliation with comfort Rwanda and we have seen true reconciliation though like I said earlier we pray we could do more, so you can see that work is being done in our country and we are all part of it. Without friends and partners a country like Rwanda would never have stood on her feet again, thank you.

Special thanks to Pilgrim center for reconciliation USA, Comfort Rwanda, International Leadership institute and all of you individuals who have stood with us. Keep standing with us in building the kingdom of God by building people’s lives.

Thank you for praying for us as the Rwandan church and government to go on in building our nation.

Many blessings you all

With love from Pastor Paul and Odette Ndahigwa, family and church.

Once again thank you very much for Loving us."

Walk for Water

noreply@blogger.com (Heidi) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Anyone want to join in?
WALK FOR WATER
Sunday 12th September 2010 at 1:30pm.
Start at Bishopbriggs Community Church and either walk along
the canal to Cadder Church, fill up water bottles and return to BCC OR
walk along the canal to the Kirky Puffer, fill up and return to BCC.

Entry £2.50 each or £5 per family. Sponsorship forms and water bottles
will be provided. Certificates and medals will be awarded.

Contact Bishopbriggs Community Church for more information on 0141 762 1473.
All proceeds go to Bisesero, Rwanda Housing Project, to build houses for orphans.

Three weeks until Transalpine challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:08:00 +0000

Casey Morgan and Iona Robertson undertake the Transalpine run 2010 in less than three weeks. This year they will be tackling the East route starting in Ruhpolding, Germany and finishing in Sexten, Italy 8 days later. Along the way they will cover 296 horizontal kilometers and climb 17,700 vertical meters.

The people of Bisesero desperately need the kind of hope that this project will give them - read all you can about Bisesero and you'll find out why. Then you can go to see www.justgiving.com/teamtpc2010 and support this wonderful effort.

Can you help with admin?

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:49:00 +0000

We are very much in need of help with general admin. If you have good computer skills and could give Comfort Rwanda 2-3 mornings or afternoons a week please get in touch. 01236 827251

60,000 feet Alpine climb for Comfort Rwanda

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:59:00 +0000

For the second year running, Team TPC are off to tackle the Alps looking to build on the success of our 2nd place overall in 2009. Our sponsors, TPC Freight Management, have adopted the charity Comfort Rwanda and this year we will be raising funds to help build new homes for the widows and orphans of Rwanda left homeless as a result of the genocide.

This year we will be tackling the East route starting in Ruhpolding,Germany and finishing in Sexten, Italy 8 days later. Along the way we will cover 296 horizontal kilometers and climb 17,700 vertical meters.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something.

Thank You for your contribution!

Casey and Iona

Team TPC

http://www.justgiving.com/teamtpc2010

Paul Ndahigwa thanks you all for a wonderful visit

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:44:00 +0000

TO COMFORT RWANDA.

Our beloved friends in the Lord and wonderful partners in the work of the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ in this wounded and hurt country comfort Rwanda.

I first of all wish to inform you that all my travels went well and I am now back home safely thank you for your prayers. I thank God for having met you, shared with you and enjoyed with you all the wonderful moments you had during my presence with you.

Dear brethren I wish I could find the accurate words to thank you with but I just feel speechless, I hope callum would find the right words to thank everyone for me. Every time I remember how I met Callum and how we were then, I thank God for His favor upon us. We became friends, partners but now we are more like brothers and I thank God for him. Your heart and ministry have helped us a lot in the transformation of our society.

My gratitude to all people who invited me to their houses for meals and talks, thanks to the people who invited me to their churches to minister. Many blessings to you all. I will keep you in my heart and prayers.

I thank you all for the heart I saw in you of loving and helping our country to stand on her feet again. The heart you have for the poor, widows, orphans and ministers of the gospel in our country, we can not have enough words to thank you. You are not laboring in vain, blessed is the hand that gives than the one that takes so you bless us and God multiplies for you I believe.

We are looking forward to having you over in our wonderful country again and again. We are proud to be partners and fellow workers with you in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ to the communities of Rwanda.

All our love and prayers to you, may the grace of our Lord Jesus and the love of His father keep multiplying in you always. We pray that His peace which is not like the world’s fill your hearts and lives always.

Yours in the Lord
Paul Ndahigwa

Fun night Fundraiser for Orphanage

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:18:00 +0000

The fun night fundraiser organised by Susan Donaldson raised over £1000!!

Susan has a tremendous heart for young children and babies who have been abandoned and this was the very first fundraiser aimed at raising funds for an orphanage on the land at Nyarugunga. Thanks to Mary who worked so hard to organise things and to all those who came and supported.

Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:03:00 +0000

One of the aspects of the 10th Anniversary celebrations which was especially encouraging was the spontaneous desire for prayer at the end of the evening. The picture shows people gathering to pray that God would continue to anoint the workers and bless the work. If you want to be part of the prayer team and receive prayer updates please contact chicsanny@hotmail.co.uk

10th Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:45:00 +0000

On the 8th May around 100 people attended a thanksgiving service followed by a buffet and ceilidh to celebrate Gods goodness for the last ten years of Comfort Rwanda. The event took pace at Chryston Parish Church and we are so grateful for their provision of the venue.

We were delighted to have Mucyo Sylvie from Solace and Paul Ndahigwa from the Living Church speak of the blessings of the partnership between themselves and Comfort Rwanda. Eliezer Haguma described the work among the street kids and the transformation taking place in their lives. Heidi Cochrane, Billy McClung, Ailidh Henderson and Julie Arbon spoke of how God had impacted their lives through their involvement in Rwanda. The One Band from Leeds visited Scotland again and sensitively led us into a wonderful time of thanksgiving and praise during which time God spoke clearly into the gathering. There was a real sense of unity and the presence of God.

Callum Henderson thanked the trustees and support team for their hard work over the years and encouraged everyone to maintain the passion of God for the poor in their hearts. It was a huge encouragement to see the enthusiasm and love of so many people for our brothers and sisters in Rwanda, and to be assured again of their committment to partnership and support in this manifestation of God's Kingdom. Although all the projects continue to need support this year, the need to pay the last installment on the Nyarugunga land and to get all the street kids project children sponsored are two of our main goals for the rest of this year.

We were blessed to be provided with a wonderful buffet given for the evening followed by a great ceilidh.

Best wishes for the 8th May 10th Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:01:00 +0000

John and Anne Frame say “we pray the thanksgiving and celebration at Chryston goes really well. We really would love to have been sharing with you but due to previous commitments aren't able to join you.”

Dave Wald says “To wish you a HAPPY 10 YR ANNIVERSARY !! WISH I COULD HAVE CELEBRATED WITH YOU THERE I pray for another 10yrs of amazing work. God BLess you and say hi to family and CR people.”

Yvonne Bauwens says “Just a wee email to say all the best for tonight. It's a very special day for you and Comfort Rwanda and I pray that this evening will be a blessed time for everyone.”

Jean Wilson says “Enjoy Comfort Rwanda's 10th birthday - I have sent a card via the Chryston Manse.”

Linda Dowling says, “To all at Comfort Rwanda ... for the lives you have transformed in Rwanda and in Scotland ... and for taking us out to show that we care and changing us to ... 2Cor 1:3-4”

Ian Henderson says “thanks for the invite... I'm sorry I can’t make it, but congratulations - I’m told many charities don’t last that long! Please give my regards to your Rwandan guests”

Gloria Anderson says “Sorry, previous engagement and won't make the celebrations on Saturday.”

Sheenagh Macdonald, “Really sorry that I can't make it to your celebrations on Saturday. Hope a fab time is had by all - and I very much look forward to linking into more Comfort Rwanda work in the future. Best wishes, Sheenagh.”

Alison Baird says “I'm still very ill with my pregnancy, and it's therefore unlikely that I will be able to attend on the 8th. I'm absolutely gutted. I'll be praying that the night is a success.”

Anjay Quinn writes from Australia, “Hi Guys - congrats on 10th anniversary! Just wanna wish you all the best in organising Comfort Rwanda's 10th anniversary! Would love to have been a part of it. I can't believe its that old haha! Time flies hey. Anyhow have an awesome time and will look forward to hearing all about it.”

Avril Smith says “I have a wedding reception to go to that night so am unable to make it.”

Jane & Mark Machray say “I'm really sorry Mark and I can't make the night and gutted. Will be praying for the night and hope it will be a huge success!”

Julie - wife of Phil Arbon says, “Phil won't be there I'm afraid - I think he told you that he has to be at a Street Pastors event instead.”

Dennis Overton says, “remarkable that you have now spent 10 years absorbed in this important work. What an adventure it’s been.I would loved to have joined you in this celebration on 08 May, but I am committed here in the Highlands that day.I trust you will have a great time of celebration and thanksgiving.”

Alison and Steve from DropInn on the Isle of Man say, “Thank you so much for your invitation, so sorry Steve & I are unable to be with you all. We will be remembering you all in prayer.”

Gary McAlpine fell ill at the end of the week and sent his love to everyone.

Banquet for Bisesero

noreply@blogger.com (Comfort Rwanda Blog) — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:42:00 +0000

Fancy a Curry?

Then why not come along to

The Gulistan

(Indian Restaurant)

4 Beech Road, Auchinairn, G64 1NE

Tuesday

25th May 2010

7:30 pm

Tickets - £12.50

All proceeds to go to

Bisesero Orphan & Widow Housing Project

RWANDA

For reservations contact Janet

Email: janetathomson@gmail.com

Tel: 0141 779 5787

Calendars turn to Pineapples

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:54:00 +0000

Last October folk from Bishopbriggs Community Church visited their twinned Solace survivors community at Bisesero. One of the projects the community at Bisesero were keen to start was a pineapple plantation. A fundraising calendar of Rwanda helped raise the funds for this and the result is a very happy community with their own pineapple plantation.

Solange going for treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:11:00 +0000

Denise Mugeni has sent us the following news:

Peace be with you dear friends and family!
Hope you are all well. I am delighted to tell you that Solange (my friend who had been thrown in a toilet pit after being beaten during the genocide, who is now paralyzed) has given a visa for Switzerland for treating her back. Hopefully, they will reduce her pain which has taken such a long time. She was supposed to leave on Saturday (17th) but as you know flights have been canceled since last week, so she is waiting now to leave to Europe.
Thank you very much for your prayers and concern, but let us keep on praying for her and for the doctors she will have in Switzerland.
God bless you abundantly
Denise

Recent report from a Sponsor

noreply@blogger.com (JArbon) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:59:00 +0000

This is an extract from a report received recently from someone supported by our SOS programme:

The sponsorship helped us in our everyday life, to get what to eat and we have used it to renovate our house that was getting destroyed. It also helped us to get good diet to our brother who is suffering from AIDS. In brief, the support helped us very much and we really appreciate it.

Every donation changes a life for good! Please check out the people on this website who are waiting for sponsorship.

Message from John Gakwandi of Solace Ministries during the commemoration period

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:28:00 +0000

Beloved in Christ,

Thank you so much indeed for your prayers and your invaluable help. Your support in prayers, advocacy and all various support we have received and continue to receive from you are a wonderful sign of the love of God to us, who, for many of us again, believed that God had abandoned us and does not care anymore. You have become instruments for him to show that He is the Father of the fatherless in enabling the orphans to go to school, to have a shelter and to have food and also parental care. The widows know that they have a husband who comforts them and provides for them everyday through Comfort Rwanda.

We rejoice in that Solace communities are organizing locally through their own initiative time to come together and thank God for the miracles of their survival. I was amazed this last night as the communitiy of Kabuga organised a night vigil with powerful messages and moving testimonies have been given to the faithfulness of God and that many non Solace people participated including the regional leaders. For me this was a fruit of the change the Lord is operating in their lives and I have to say nothing else than " Thank you Lord!"

We recognise all of us that our survival is responsibility before God and the world. It is not an accident. Every survivor has to know this. Our responsiblity is to procalim the works of the Lord. Pray with us that every one may be aware of that.

Thank you so much again for all.

Love,

Jean.

Iona Robertson and Casey Morgan's Transalpine Run

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:51:00 +0000

In terms of challenges the Goretex Transalpine Run ranks among the hardest. An 8 stage race over 288.4 kilometres (over 179 miles) and a total climb of 61,259 feet. Iona Robertson and Casey Morgan will race the distance in September to raise funds for the Bisesero community in Rwanda. They will be running as Team TPC as part of the partnership between TPC Freight Management and Comfort Rwanda. Their aim is to raise £6000 to pay for the build of the first house in a new village to restore hope and community to the survivors of Bisesero.

Not only that but Casey and Iona are aiming for a win! Second last year they are returning to go one better. It's a remarkable feat and we hope you give Casey and Iona lots of support.

Comfort Rwanda 10th Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:03:00 +0000

Paul Ndahigwa's visit to Scotland

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:50:00 +0000

One of our partners, Paul Ndahigwa, Vice president of our partner churches "The Living Church" and pastor at Gatenga as well as being repsonsible for the Healing and Reconciliation programme in the great Lakes region and a good friend will be in Scotland from 28th April - 10th May. Some of the meetings he will be at are:
Wednesday 28th April - Chryston Parish church
Sunday 2nd May - Church Growth Centre, Paisley (morning) and Kilsyth Community Church (evening)
Monday & Tuesday 3rd-4th Carnoustie - Level 8 projects and Carnoustie High School
Wednesday 5th - Ebenezer church, Airdrie
Saturday 8th - Comfort Rwanda 10th anniversary celebration
Sunday 9th - Bishopbriggs Community Church (morning), Penicuik Parish (evening).

If you would like to meet Paul, hear about the work in Rwanda, or have him to speak about Rwanda/ Healing and Reconciliation/ The gospel from an African perspective please get in touch. The picture shows Paul greeting a member (Susan Stewart) of a Comfort Rwanda group visiting Rwanda.

Messages from Rwanda

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:30:00 +0000

From Denise - thank-you very much for sharing our sadness and happiness. It is good to have you as our family. May god keep His blessing upon you.
From Harriet - Thank-you very much for being near us during this commemoration period.
We hope this will give support to the victims, moral or otherwise, for us to fight of the trauma we are faced with and give us the hope of life. May God bless you indeed. Many thanks and warm regards to all Comfort Rwanda members.

Prayer for genocide commemoration

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:16:00 +0000

At this time of year we especially remember the outbreak of genocide on the 7th April 1994. It is a difficult time for survivors and we will be meeting to prayer and ask god to encourage, heal and strengthen them. There are prayer meetings at:

George and Helen Hogg
Firthfield, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9QH
Phone Linda on 07759 705 798 for any more details.

Callum & Izzy Henderson
82 Arden Grove, Kilsyth G65 9NU (01236 827251 for more details)

Anyone with a heart to pray for survivors of the genocide is very welcome whether a supporter of Comfort Rwanda or not.

Royal Scottish Geographical Society Geo-Speak competition.

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:56:00 +0000

Congratulations to Ailidh Henderson for winning the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Geo-Speak competition with a talk on the work of Comfort Rwanda.

The society wrote “Thank-you once again for participating in our Young speaker Awards. The talk was well structured and informative. I think you also enjoyed it. Rwanda will never be the same to me and it showed what a difference some assistance can make”

First Official School Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:40:00 +0000

The first official school visit to Rwanda with Comfort Rwanda is due to set out on the 11th June. The visit is a combined trip between St Andrews Episcopal School in Jackson, Mississipi and Carnoustie High School, Angus. Here the team gets together during a visit to Scotland by St Andrews School.

NAILED - A Song Inspired by Rwanda

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:47:00 +0000

Singer-songwriter Joanne McAlpine, who is also the wife of our web designer Gary, has written a powerful song called NAILED. Joanne says “Nailed is a very personal song. Although forgiveness is an issue which affects us all, the song was borne out of the difficulty of personal forgiveness and the need to be forgiven. I also wrote Nailed against the backdrop of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Since then the people of Rwanda have been rebuilding their lives and their stories of healing and reconciliation are both inspiring and humbling.
The photograph at the conclusion of the video shows a man and a woman embracing. This simple and genuine act is between a widow whose husband was murdered by this man during the genocide. Such an act of forgiveness is only possible through the redeeming and life changing power of Christ. Theirs is a witness that powerfully speaks to us all.”

NAILED official music video

Climate Change | MySpace Music Videos

You can download the song at www.climatechangemusic.com

Report on Survivors hoping for Sponsorship

noreply@blogger.com (JArbon) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:59:00 +0000

There are many survivors in Rwanda living in very poor conditions. Solace Ministries are working hard to identify as many as possible with a view to giving them the support and friendship that our SOS programme encourages.

A few facts to help understand the issues some of the survivors face:

Many have no shelter; some are able to sleep in family or friends’ houses and they are constantly moving about from house to house with nowhere to call ‘home’. Some sleep in church buildings, opened at night for that purpose. Still others sleep outside finding shelter where they can.

Most are able to eat only once a day. Many eat less often than that. It’s not unusual for Solace staff to find people who have not eaten for 2 or 3 days. The neediest people live from day to day, hand to mouth, whatever they can find.

If small, paid jobs can be found, even ‘one-off’ type jobs, then this will help survivors to buy food, clothes, soap etc., but most are in constant need of these basic requirements for life that we take for granted. Walking miles each day is their normal way to get about as buses and taxis cost too much.

Many survivors have moved to the capital, Kigali, as a place of safety. Their testimonies frequently report that they feel too scared to return to their old homes or to the area where they once lived. Many of the perpetrators are still in the area and not surprisingly these people pose a threat to security and/or to peace of mind. Their previous homes are places of painful memories and fears and so they come to Kigali hoping for work, shelter and security, but this doesn’t often work out as they hope.

Many of the widows struggle to support their own families and frequently have extended families of other survivors. Many have serious injuries violently inflicted during the genocide and they still suffer much pain and disability, preventing work and self support.

Comfort Rwanda and Solace Ministries hope and pray that many more of these survivors will be supported by our SOS programme, bringing transformation to their lives and showing them that they are not forgotten.

July 2010 visit

noreply@blogger.com (Callum) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:34:00 +0000

If anyone is hoping to go on the July 2010 visit group to Rwanda and has not yet paid a £150 deposit please do ASAP. Flights will be booked Feb 10th and after that fares may go up. Give me a phone if you've any queries