Author: Hope For Life

Hope For Life December 2011 Update

Post author By Hope For Life
Post date December 15, 2011
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The past month has been very eventful at HFLM despite most of the boys staying with family or relatives for a portion of their two-month school holiday. Six boys stayed at HFLM for the whole holiday break, which means the home is a bit quieter than normal.

Over the break, many of the boys have been thriving while staying at their relative’s homes. One in particular, Uwimana, has impressed us with his continued diligence to attend church and choir practice on his own initiative. Each Sunday since staying with his relatives, he has walked two hours to attend church and choir practice with the rest of the HFLM boys. Although many of the boys found their home situations improved, some have found life at home even more difficult than when they first left to the streets. As a result, a few of the boys temporarily went back to the streets.

When Chantal and Hilliary were looking for one of the HFLM boys on the streets, they encountered two young boys named Puppy (7) and Eric (9). These boys were covered from head to toe with painful sores and itchy bites caused from scabies. Moved by compassion at the conditions of these boys, they decided to take them to HFLM. When the Puppy and Eric arrived at HFLM, their faces lit up at the new prospect of life. Puppy has lived in severe poverty his whole life and was finally forced to the streets a couple months ago. Eric has lived on the streets for over two years because his stepfather refuses to allow him to live at home with his mother. They have adjusted very well and are now thriving at HFLM!

The Coopers arrived in Kigali in mid-November and will be helping with Hilliary’s duties while she is in the States. Corban and Laura, with their two young daughters Kaiah (5) and Petra (2) have transitioned well. They are learning how HFLM runs and the many things needing to be done. They joined HFLM for a big Thanksgiving meal where they heard testimonies from the boys about how Jesus has filled their hearts with gratitude. After a message from the Bible about being thankful, everyone went around and shared what they are thankful for. The two new boys were thankful for being able to come to HFLM and one praised God that he is finding healing from his scabies. Jackson melted Laura’s heart when he said he was thankful that God has changed him to be a “good boy now”. It’s amazing to see that God can and does change the hearts of all of us.

Thank you all for your support and prayers! Please continue to pray for the boys while they are visiting their families, for Emmanuel who has returned to the streets, and for the Coopers as they are learning the ropes at HFLM.

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November 2011 Update

We are excited to have completed our second full year of school at HFLM! We are very proud of the boys for all of their hard work and how well they have done. In particular, we have been very impressed with Paul, who was the 1st in his class of over 50 students for the third trimester in a row! His diligence and hard work goes beyond his studies and can be seen in his spiritual life and his willingness to help those around him.

Daniel, another boy who we are extremely proud of, has been a role model to all of the boys with his work ethic and servant’s heart. Every day he can be seen at Jacky’s side, who is called “Tantine” (Auntie), helping her cook and clean. He has been dubbed the name of honor, “Little Tantine,” which he proudly bears and grins broadly every time he hears it called. Later this week, we are going to surprise him with a gift in honor of his inspirational character. Recently, Tantine discretely asked him, “If you could have anything, what would you want?” He responded, “My very own Bible and a new pair of shoes.”
The boys now have two months of holiday, and almost all of them are going home to spend anywhere from 10 to 60 days with their families or relatives. We are looking forward to this time, as the boys will have the opportunity to further reconcile with their families. Also, their families will no doubt notice the transformation that has taken place in their lives. We ask you to join with us in prayer for the boys who may face minimal parental guidance and supervision while they are home. Please pray that they will stand strong as they face temptations and peer pressure.

The arrival of the Cooper family this month represents a prayer that has been answered. The Coopers will be volunteering at HFLM for the next 6 months, assisting with the Executive Director position. This will provide a positive family model for the boys and allows Hilliary to return to the States so she can complete her student teaching (her last semester) at Moody Bible Institute.

We thank everyone who donated money to purchase Bibles last month! We were able to buy 11 Bibles and a book store has also agreed to donate a few more. It is a gift that is truly treasured by the boys. Even the smallest boys who don’t know how to read, excitedly flip through the pages, imagining the stories behind the ink. We also often catch 15 year old Berco hiding in the corner reading the Bible, or sneaking off with one after devotions.

We would like to thank all of you again for the support and prayers that makes the transformation in these boys’ lives possible.

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October 2011 Update

After spending almost a month in the USA, HFLM warmly received Hilliary back to Rwanda. We have found October to already be a busy month as we’ve witnessed God continuing to move and as we face several new challenges.

One area that HFLM is excited about is the spiritual growth in the boys since coming to HFLM, especially noticeable in 13-year-old Djuhudi. When he first came to HFLM, Djuhudi clung to his Islamic roots and refused to go to church or pray with the rest of the children. In the last several months, however, we have witnessed God greatly moving in Djuhudi’s heart. One afternoon, after hearing a message on salvation, the boys had the opportunity to share what they’d learned. Djuhudi proclaimed, “I now know that when I die and come before God, I will not be saved because of my good works, but because of my faith in Jesus Christ.” This is an incredibly encouraging reminder to us of the purpose of our work.

Conversely, many new challenges have surfaced at HFLM. We ask you to join us in prayer over the difficulties we are facing as it has come to our attention that two former staff members have taken up residence near HFLM’s home and have been meeting with our boys on their way to school. The boys have been greatly influenced by these meetings, and several are under a strong power of manipulation. We know that children are easily influenced, and our prayer is that they would not be influenced by evil, but instead by what is Godly and true. Please pray for them to have discernment, to not to be easily swayed towards evil, and that the lies and manipulations of these former staff members would cease.

We also ask you to join us in prayer for team unity. We have hired several new staff members and are all trying to learn how to work together. In light of the other challenges we are facing, we ask you to pray that our new team will be able to serve together in unity and receive strength to handle the challenges of ministry and working with children from adverse backgrounds.

Another tangible way you can assist us is by contributing towards purchasing additional Bibles. In spite of the difficulties HFLM is facing, we feel this would be an especially valuable time to invest in this project. If you would like to contribute please email Hilliary at andersonhfl@gmail.com. Thank you for continuing to stand in partnership with us. None of the progress we see would be possible without you.

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HFLM September 2011 Update

Post author By Hope For Life
Post date September 6, 2011
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During the boy’s recent three week long vacation, our four boys attending boarding school came home. One of these children is Veterne who resides at an orthopedic center where he has been undergoing physical therapy and continuing his studies. Upon arriving to HFLM, Veterne eagerly showed everyone his leg braces that slip over his feet and connect at his hips. He shakily stood, slipped his arms through his crutches, and began walking. It gave all of us so much joy to see Veterne walking for the first time! He has now returned to the orthopedic center to continue physical therapy to strengthen his leg muscles and enable him to walk further distances. After a great three weeks of vacation, the boys have returned to finish their third trimester of school.

Young Tuyizere, who has been with HFLM since April, has returned to live with his mother. After greatly missing her, HFLM staff accompanied him to try and locate his mother’s home. The area where Tuyizere’s mom lives is immensely poor and prone to violence, but they were finally able to locate her small shack. During their visit, Tuyizere decided that he’d like to remain with his mother instead of returning to HFLM. Even though his mother wishes for him to return to HFLM as she doesn’t possess the means to care for her son or send him to school, we must respect the child’s wishes. We are concerned about the situation and are hoping that Tuyizere will change his mind. Please join us in prayer for his protection and for his future.

In January, HFLM is launching a new reconciliation program! In partnership with local organizations, we will offer training in income generation to the children’s parents. For several boys in HFLM, the only reason they cannot stay with their parents is immense poverty. In these situations, we hope that through this program we can equip families to begin earning an income and reunite some of the boys with their families.

Hilliary has returned to Seattle for the first three and a half weeks of September. Before she left, the boys curiously bombarded her with questions about America. One of the youngest boys inquisitively asked if there were trees in America and then shyly asked if America has a sun. They were shocked when she teasingly responded that there was no sun in America!

We can’t thank you enough for your continued partnership with HFLM. Although we continue to face many challenges, it is always encouraging to know there are so many who are faithfully supporting us by giving of your hearts, your prayers and your resources. Thank you for believing in our boys!

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August 2011 Update

Hope For Life was privileged to host the Hovde family as they recently visited Rwanda and spent a day at HFLM. All eight of them impressed us with their diligence and hard work. They planted 200 hedge plants, leveled the boy’s soccer field, and moved a ton of rocks (literally). Their hard work set an example for our boys, who could be seen laboring alongside of them the whole day. Tuyizere, who is 9 years old, proved to be the most dedicated worker. The Hovdes’ would fill a wheelbarrow to full capacity, which a grown teenager would have difficulty moving, but Tuyizere would instruct them to pile in more dirt. Remarkably, he was able to move these very heavy loads and empty them himself. Apparently, showing off gave him the adrenaline he needed to work hard all day.

The boys recently completed their exams and finished off their 2nd trimester of school. It was a time of celebration as four of our kids received the best scores in their classes and another scored 2nd place! All the boys did well, and we are very proud of all our students for how hard they have worked in school.

When HFLM’s newest member Claude, who is 5 years old, was recently asked his favorite hobby, he instantly replied that it is eating. He furthermore exclaimed that his future hope is to grow big and strong so that one day he can ride a bike and drive the other boys on it. On a side note, he mentioned with slightly less enthusiasm that he would also like to be a soldier.

Lastly, the boys’ clothing are getting quite worn and almost every day they can be heard asking when they can get new clothes. We want to bless them with new clothes, but we will need approximately $350.00 extra this month in order to be able to offer this gift. The third trimester of school is also starting at the end of August, and we will need an additional $300.00 for school fees. If you would like to contribute towards one of these causes please email Hilliary at andersonhfl@gmail.com. We are excited as we continue to witness God moving in all these young boys’ lives. Thank you everyone for all of your support and prayers!

Sincerely,

HFLM Staff

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July 2011 Update

We are delighted to announce that the boys of HFLM are officially living in their new home! The day of our move several of the boys stood up praising God for all that He has given us. Djuhudi reflected that if HFLM staff had not found him, he would not be alive today. God has taken Djuhudi from living in a hospital bed to thriving in a beautiful new home.

(Moving Day)

A week after moving into our new house, HFLM threw a party celebrating God’s thorough provision. The boys invited their friends and neighbors. During the celebration, HFLM staff slipped out of the main room and surprised the boys as they rode into the house on brand new bikes generously donated by Northlake Christian Church. The children immediately jumped out of their seats screaming with absolute joy and delight!

(Gakuru Driving the Younger Boys)

A Moody Bible Institute student, Jonathan Villanueva, is completing an internship in Rwanda. He has been teaching our boys English in his spare time. Throughout the week, Hilliary regularly feels a slight tug on her shirt and an eager voice asking, “When is teacher Jonny coming next to teach us English!?”

In the last few months, many challenges and important changes occurred, including: moving into our new home, accepting two more boys into our program, and seeing shifts in HFLM’s leadership. Please continue to join us in prayer during this transition. If you are interested in becoming a monthly financial sponsor, or would like to give a one time donation for a specific cause (such as furniture needs), please contact Hilliary at andersonhfl@gmail.com. We are so grateful for all your support in transforming the lives of our beloved boys! From the bottom of our excited hearts, we all shout thank you!

Sincerely,

HFLM Staff

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April 2011 Update

It is hard to believe that our boys have completed another academic quarter. Once again, two of our children received the highest test scores in their class. Congratulations to Paul and Berco! Some of the boys were discouraged with their test scores, but we continue to encourage them in their progress. They now have two weeks of vacation before their next quarter begins and HFLM will happily welcome home David, Claude, and Bosco from boarding school. During this time, the boys will participate in a nationwide memorial of the 1994 genocide, which claimed an estimated 800,000 lives.

(Yves playing soccer)

We want to thank all of you who have been praying for Veterne. His leg surgery was successful, and we praise the Lord that there were no major complications. Please keep him in your prayers as he is still in a lot of pain and we expect that his recovery will take several months. Veterne is eagerly looking forward to his initial recovery and beginning rehabilitation to learn how to walk! He has also been encouraged by the support offered by his family through this process.

Due to unfortunate delays, the new house is still undergoing modifications. We are now scheduled to move in at the end of this month. The boys have been patient in waiting for their home to be finished but are very anxious to move – especially when they thought the empty sewer tank was a swimming pool! Join us in prayer that the construction will be completed soon.

(The new HFLM home)

The new house is a 45 minute walk from the boys’ current school. This was a great disappointment because they have grown to love their teachers. Since learning of this obstacle, they have fervently been praying for bikes which would enable them to attend their current school. This last month members from Northlake Christian Church donated enough money to buy all of the bikes needed to travel to school! But shhhh, it’s a surprise! We are waiting until the boys move into the new house to share with them their answered prayer. HFLM staff cannot wait to see them screaming and dancing for joy when they hear the good news. Thanks again for making this possible and continually supporting HFLM.

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March 2011 Update

HFLM was privileged to welcome Eric and Sharon Hovde and Jeff Boyd of the Hovde Foundation to Rwanda last month. During their visit, we held the Opening Ceremony for our new home, the Swanson-Hovde House. We hosted many friends, supporters, government officials, neighbors, teachers, and pastors who have helped to make HFLM possible over the last 2 years. Although we wish all of you could have participated in the celebration with us, you can still catch a glimpse of the ceremony and the new house on the video posted below.

This exciting event has made us even more eager to move into our new home next month. One child enthusiastically wrote to his pen pal, “We got a surprise this year. Guess what! God has provided a very big and beautiful house for us!”

During the Hovde’s stay, we were able to visit the First Lady of Rwanda. She was extremely pleased with HFLM’s service amongst vulnerable Children in Rwanda and decided to award us with a cow!

To the great enthusiasm of the boys, HFLM has decided to increase its security by taking in and training a guard dog. As of now, HFLM’s guard dog, Winnie, is an adorable puppy that has been providing entertainment, companionship, and the opportunity for the children to learn gentleness and responsibility.

Please be praying for our beloved Veterne, who has been crippled since he was a baby, as he will be receiving corrective surgery for his legs on March 24th. Pray for his safety, a successful surgery, and a full recovery.

We have been so encouraged by the continual transformation of the boys’ lives. When Djuhudi first came to HFLM two months ago, his body was frail from lack of nutrition and his heart was hardened towards God. He initially had a difficult time fitting into HFLM and refused to take part in going to church and praying. Now he absolutely loves going to church, praying, and listening to gospel music. He is so grateful for how his life has changed and wants to thank you all for your support. “Hello! My name is Djuhudi and I am 13 years old. I have been at HFLM for two months. I gained weight and I go to school now and my studies are going well. The boys at HFLM, we love each other and we eat together everyday. My best friend here is Daniel and he is 12 years old. We sleep together. I am friends with everyone here now. I want to say thank you!”

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers.

Sincerely,

HFLM Staff

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Rwandan News Report of HFLM Opening Ceremony

Post author By Hope For Life
Post date March 1, 2011
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February Update 2011

The finishing touches are being done on the new Hope For Life house and the boys will move in next month! The Hovde Foundation will be joining us to celebrate the opening of the “Swanson-Hovde House,” along with many Rwandans from our community. When the boys went to visit their new house, Yves asked in disbelief, “This house isn’t just for us, right? Other children must be living here too, because this house is so big!” It took him at least 10 minutes to accept that the new house was being built just for them.

The boys were privileged to welcome Amy Carnell from the Seattle Sounders who put on a soccer camp last month. The boys were delighted to practice their skills and receive jerseys and balls from the Sounders. To see an entertaining video of the boys trying to learn the Seattle Sounders cheer, visit http://sharing.theflip.com/session/443e4da60faf45a202e70e3494b05a46/video/60835391

We were thrilled to receive the boys’ test scores from their school. Our oldest boy, David, earned the highest test scores in his school and has the opportunity to attend an esteemed boarding school for his secondary studies. David is very excited, and although we will miss him, we are immensely proud of him and eager to visit him at his new school.

Veterne, who has been crippled since birth, has the tremendous opportunity to walk! He has been accepted into a pediatric orthopedic center for children with physical handicaps. He will remain there for one year, undergoing surgery on his legs, receiving physical therapy, continuing his studies, and learning how to walk. We already miss him, but his new house mom tells us that he is doing well in school and making new friends.

The boys have discovered a new favorite activity of dressing up and modeling. After their afternoon nap, they can be seen putting silly clothes on and creating a make-shift “runway” to show off their outfits and “model walks.” It is absolutely hilarious and never fails to become an afternoon of laughs.

Please join us in prayer for the safety of our staff as there was another grenade attack in Kigali. We greatly appreciate all of your prayers and support.

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