Mission Possible: Handbags for Scholarships

Praising God at current moment over $2200 is set to go to the Blessed Mango Tree “Vocational School Scholarship Fund”. Thrilled that the demand for the bags leaves many now on a waiting list until I get my next order. Yes, I did just say my next order. Trusting God to work out the details and logistics to get another shipment. My mother lost out on her bag when I let someone else purchase it (does that make me a bad daughter that I sold the bag to someone else?). Thankful she has already forgiven me and is fine to wait and have first pick of the next order.

God’s economy and his ways and paths are infinite. We cannot even begin to understand or operate even close to his level! Thankful for the unexpected opportunity I had to tell my story with a display at church. Donations for over half the bags came from that day or follow up from seeing or hearing about the bags that Sunday. Thankful for a Pastor whose heart breaks for the things that break Jesus’ heart and desires to teach us how to respond. Thankful for his teaching in the moment how we can make a difference through our giving.

Cyrus is letting Pastor Nathan know that $2200 is coming his way in a newly formed scholarship account to use to help the women of his church. I look forward to sharing the stories and pictures of the women who are able to attend the school. I know we will be inspired by their lives and in turn we will be inspired to do things that challenge us. My hope is we will continue to encourage them through prayer and contribute to sewing machines for them when they graduate next year.

This is just a small portion of the story and there is more to come including how you can contribute ongoing to the fund (thank you Cyrus for working to set up a fund through WorldHelp). Praising God that through many acts of kindness and obedience at least 3 women will be able to enroll in school the beginning of the year. Just 35 days after I returned from Rwanda with 100 handbags, we have begun to make a difference by “doing what we can do”.

Pictures of the hangtag on the bags are attached. If anyone would like to formally design a hangtag to be used on all future bags – please let me know.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Lesson 6 – A Bike isn’t Just for Riding

I love to ride my bike around West Palm Beach and it is a great way to run errands and just enjoy the surroundings and offerings of South Florida. My favorite things about my bike – it's purple and has a basket in the front. It is a great bike for just getting around town and riding the bike trail.

I was struck time and time again in Rwanda as I saw people with bikes. Often times those with a bike were using it to haul things or people. They rarely used their bike for a short jaunt around town. They even have bike taxis and most bikes have a second seat that serves many purposes.

Most people in Rwanda walk as it doesn’t cost money to walk. The reason people are carrying things on their heads, babies on their backs is so they have their hands free to carry more things. Usually where they are going is not a short walk.

Owning a bike is a luxury. Many families will save 4-5 years to get a bike that would cost $150. That time line is modest as if something happens in their family, there goes the money saved. Speaking with the owner of the transportation company we were with, he shared a bike transforms an entire family. He stated men gain confidence when they get a bike as they now have a means to be more productive and earn more for their family.

A bike will be what the family and potentially their neighbors use to get someone medical care; get to school, work, etc. Just imagine if you had to walk to your current job from where you live, would you be able to hold that job? Now vision riding a bike to that job, it seems much more doable.

I love to ride outside and I also love to cycle (aka spin) at Velocity. In one of my pre-trip posts, I shared I was going to look for someone to give my velocity shirt to that would be encouraged that we were riding with him/her.

Martin is a survivor of the genocide and was 5 years old at the time. His sister also survived so he is not alone like so many of the orphans. He is 22 years old and is blessed to be in school because someone has chosen to support him from the US. When I met Martin at Hope Village (community for genocide orphans who are over 18) he helped translate for me as the woman I was with did not speak English or French. He shared that when he graduates from University he wants to help other orphans.

Martin exuded a commitment to love and care for those that like he is fatherless from an earthly perspective. Martin has big dreams, is bright and I know will do many great things for his country and for those who are broken in spirit and feel hopeless.When I left, I gave Martin the velocity t-shirt as well as a promise that he would receive a bike to allow him to be more productive as he goes through school allowing him to potentially earn money as well to ensure his schooling continues. I was delighted to present someone that gift already that in their honor Martin a man who will do great things for God will have a bike because of them.

I am not a number person so when a number comes into my head, it is usually from God. My goal is to rally support for a minimum of 10 bikes to be given to various orphans at the Hope Village allowing Pastor Maurice who oversees to determine who would benefit most. I have shared with Cyrus if Pastor Maurice sees a greater need for a bike elsewhere in his parish then we of course trust his wisdom.

Would you join me in changing a life and ultimately a family? Cyrus Mad-Bondo is the Director of Africa for WorldHelp (www.worldhelp.net) accompanied us on the trip. He is committed to getting pictures of of those students and bikes as accountability as well as be able to share the story about how the bike is making a difference in their life. I will blog all updates. I can’t wait to share the stories!

A great family gift for Christmas or for any occasion is to give a bike in someone’s honor letting them know that they have not only changed a life, they have changed the economic outlook of a family for generations to come. The bikes purchased will look like the ones in the pictures above but will be top of the line ensuring they will last long and survive the punishing roads of Rwanda.

If you would like to donate a bike in someone’s honor please do the following:
• Write a check for $150
• Make the check out to World Help
• In the memo line write Bike for Rwanda.
• Send to: World Help attn. Cyrus Mad-Bondo, PO Box 501, Forest, VA 24551

God continues to teach me about sacrifice. It is easy to give out of abundance, but what am I willing to give up? When I think about the precious lives that could be transformed if I packed lunch every day or didn't get my Panera iced tea every day and put that money in a bike fund, how many bikes could I buy this year? Packing a lunch isn’t even that big of a sacrifice (the iced tea is though) so there will be more digging in to come but I hope you will join me in reflecting and asking what is it you can do. It goes back to the Bishop of Rwanda’s advice – “do what you can do”.

If I came back from Rwanda no different than before I left, and if my actions were no different than before, what was the value of the trip? Continuing to ask God to challenge me, stretch me and force me to see things in a new way. As I finish this, I am already sensing God say “what will you specifically sacrifice Janelle in 2012 that will allow you personally to raise money for 10 bikes.” Ouch…stay tuned; I write this so I remain accountable to share what that sacrifice is and the journey to raising money for those 10 bikes out of sacrifice.

Lesson 5 – Life is to Be Celebrated

What a blessing it was to worship with Pastor Nathan and his congregation at Church of the Blessed Mango Tree. Baby dedications occurred that Sunday and we were blessed to watch three babies be dedicated. Similar to the US, the baby is dedicated with a prayer and the congregation agrees to support and model the love of Christ.

The dedication was over and then all of the sudden one of the women said something in Kinyarwandan and the next thing you know the dance team is up and dancing and singing and the whole congregation is standing praising the Lord. Our interpreter shared that the congregation wanted to thank God for providing the church with not one but with three healthy babies. The mortality rate is high. One baby would have been a blessing but three was like a miracle.


Humbled. I have seen ten or more babies dedicated in a given church service. We laugh and coo at the babies, we promise to support the baby and the parents as they raise the child and that’s where it ends. We need to take a page out of the Church of the Blessed Mango tree and give the Lord a hand for what He has done. Acknowledging He is Elohim, creator - the giver of life! We have become so numb in the U.S. that unless the mother had a difficult pregnancy or the child experienced challenges at birth we don't even acknowledge God and His provision.

Offering of Thanksgiving
As the celebration went on two gifts were presented to Pastor Nathan and his assistant. The church took an offering of praise to celebrate the Lord’s goodness of three babies. The gifts were for the pastors – tableclothes for the table in the sanctuary an''d a thermos to keep the coffee or tea warm. As you can see by the picture, the assistant pastor was very happy with the gift!



In addition to praising the Lord with all of their being, they gave an offering of thanksgiving to the Lord. When was the last time we took up a praise offering after baby dedication to thank the Lord for his goodness in providing the parents and our church with those precious babies? When was the last time we worshipped the Lord with true joy for the gift of life?

Lesson 4 – Running Water is a Blessing

Living Water International is an organization I whole heartedly support since we entered the story with Advent Conspiracy as a Church. I have loved giving water in honor of others and believe in the mission. My team at work has enjoyed knowing water was given in their name and have valued it as a gift.

My head knows that clean, running water is not a commodity the world over but it wasn’t until I saw the plastic yellow jugs in Rwanda that it broke my heart. As in most cultures, children get the grunt work; hauling water is one of the chores children are given. Bikes are a luxury so walking is how you get water. Now that might not seem to us in America a big deal until we realize that depending on where the nearest well is they are walking miles. Children spend four or five hours a day hauling water based on the location and how many are in their family. Now that is not every family and every area, but it is a fact of life for many. A well in ones community is a BLESSING!

Stones serve as markers on the road in the Eastern Province noting the kilometers to the water well. Visualize it is your second, third or fourth trip with your arms tired and aching from lugging two jugs of water miles each way; stopping to find some shade from the hot sun and rest your feet. Feet screaming from the heat and aching from being so tired carrying the weight of the water because you don’t have sneakers that have high support and cushioning;if you have sandals it is a bonus.

Blessed are those who have a well in their community and have short distances to walk. Thrilled are those who have a bike loading it up with water jugs to make fewer trips and increase efficiency.

Americans – we drink bottled water and many times we don’t finish the bottle and dump it down the drain. We see water as a given that is a normal part of our every day life. We don’t ration it, we don’t think about the fact that if we want to take a shower we are going to have to haul the water. We may in fact take 2 or more showers a day based on if we have worked out and/or are going out and want to look fresh. If we had to spend a few hours a day lugging our water (that would not be to the perfect temperature because they don’t have a water heater) would we shower as often as we do?

Awareness as it relates to finishing my water, eliminating water bottles and using the tap water has been a simple step I am taking to remind me every time I turn on the faucet I am blessed; I am accountable to drink all that I pour into my glass.

I am more energized about Living Water and helping others connect to such a ministry in the market place around the word assessing the needs and providing the deep water wells. As we think about what Jesus would want for His birthday, I am confident clean water would be high on his list. Franklin Graham shared what was behind his forming of Samaritan’s Purse, “you must meet physical needs before people can hear about the one who can meet their spiritual needs.”

Join me this Christmas in honoring those you love and work with by giving them clean water. Living Water now has gift cards that allow the gift recipient to choose the project the money that was given in their name goes to. This year in addition to the projects you can also give to a specific country like Rwanda. What a great way to get kids involved in the mission, helping them learn about the need for clean water and how they can help others around the world.

Check out the link below to join the conspiracy and provide clean water that will not only sustain life it will open many to hear about the one who gives true life as that is the reason Jesus came.

http://www.water.cc/store/christmas-gift-cards?q=store/christmas-gift-cards