Pastor's Letter: Rwanda (RW-369)

We received some more pastor's letters! I am looking forward to sharing them over the next few weeks. This letter is from Niyinsaba's pastor. And the photos are from Compassion's Rwanda Rural Region page.

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Dear Eric and Hannah,

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ!

I am N Fancois, pastor of [RW-369] Church of Rwanda-Byimana and also [RW-369] CDC where we minister and care for Niyinsaba.

I thank you so much for your great love and kindness you have demonstrated by sponsoring Niyinsaba through the Compassion supported program. The ministry that you are a part of has had a positive impact in the lives of so many needy children.

In this community, children's needs are multifold and vary according their age group. Young children need healthy food to give them a good start in life. Unfortunately, some in this category already show signs of malnutrition. Primary school age children need school uniformas and supplies in the right quality and quantity. children studying at secondary schools levels need assistance with school fees and other financial support. We are grateful that children benefit from different forms of support through this Center. Some children in the community are orphans as many of their parents are widow or widowers. Others are suffering from HIV/AIDS, which renders them unable to work or carryout everyday activities. This leads to a vicious cycle of poverty as many children from these poor families cannot afford school fees in order to continue their secondary education and those who have not completed their education are unemployed. This is why the Center is so important. We are able to change the situation for them. We transform their lives and release them from poverty in Jesus' name.

Children in this community are of great concern and interest and their wellbeing is our preoccupation. Our community has a great vision to boost the capacity of poor families and provide them with means for economic self reliance through the development of the small income generating activities in order better serve the children.

The Center has many positive outcomes for the community. Not just the children are changing, but so are families. Children and their parents are being baptized. Teh number of church goers has increased and our children now know how to play musical instruments and actively participate in the choir. We hope that more children will be baptized in due course. Caregivers are encouraged to organize themselves into associations to facilitate their engagement in income generating endeavors in order improve their livelihoods. Working through these cooperatives, they are able to afford health insurance. Some children have also successfully passed their national exams and are now enrolled in secondary schools.

The sponsor-children relationships are of an inestimable value to everyone involved in the partnership. Sponsors and their sponsored children exchange photos and send each other birthday wishes. They share family information with each other, pray for each other and share Biblical verses as well. This creates a special bonding between them, which boosts the children's morale and their performance in school. Letters also encourage the children to learn English to enable them one day write to their sponsors. Many children receive novelty items from sponsors which are a delight to them. Please play this role for Niyinsaba and send letters and photos often.

We thank you once again for the love and generosity you have showed Niyinsaba, our church and our country.

We pray for your good health and may God's protection and blessings be with you in the name of Jesus.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor N Francois