Inspiration from Re:New

A week ago I was in Wheaton, Illinois enjoying some time with my best friend before I headed to the wedding of one of the precious women I was blessed to mentor while she was at PBA.


My best friend Viv, told me about a shop called Re:New that was created for refugee women who had been placed by World Relief in Dupage County. I was excited to visit to see what types of bags and other items they were making. http://www.renewproject.org/story/


Adding 11 students to the scholarship program per my last post was exciting but it also meant that additional funds were needed. Ensuring we had funds once we figured out the plan for the widows was weighing on my heart. Knowing God would provide I was waiting with expectancy on ways that would happen.


Walking into the Re:New shop I was overwhelmed at the beauty and simplicity of the products the women were sewing. I asked the volunteer which bags were most popular and bought them to send as possible projects for the Vocational School. Knowing many have loved the handbag I brought back from Rwanda, I know there would interest in the other designs if they were available.

Cyrus will be taking the samples with him June 17th to share with the vocational school. I am hoping these designs will be something the sewing instructors embrace and find inspiration.


More to come... stay tuned.

God's Ways Are Higher Than Our Ways

Catering School Students

From left to right (in picture):  Zihinjishi Valentine,   Karegeya Fabrice(male),  Uwimana Epiphanie, Uwantege Laurence,  Mutezinka Eugenie, Rarubi Celine,  Nyiraminani Valerie,  Mukamugema Donatienne,Uwimana Josianne,  Musabyimana Adeline, Umutoni Fancoise.

Much work has been happening behind the scenes since my last post. Many have been praying for the scholarship recipients along with wisdom for the Pastor to determine the best path for those who were unable to go to school but desired to raise animals.

God continues to show me patience is required and although the need is great, His thoughts and His ways are always best. I am so thankful that the Pastor of the Blessed Mango Tree has demonstrated diligence and thoughtfulness to determine the best plan for these women. As he has continued to work with the women on next steps God is showing us a need to wait. 

Why wait? As you can imagine, the animals would be highly desirable and many others would want them as well. Safety and security for the family and animals are required so it will take time to finalize the plan.

For those attending school they still need to earn an income so we are working through how they can do both.  The good news is the women feel loved, cared for and not forgotten. They know when it is worked out it will be the right time and they are grateful for our love and concern.

While we have been working through this, an immediate need has come to the Pastor. 10 women have just been rescued from being trafficked and they desire to go to school to start their new lives! So, these 10 women will take the funding we have had on standby and start Catering School immediately. In addition, the pastor has found a young man who is an orphan of the genocide who desires to go to Catering School so he will be joining the 10 women.

11 precious lives forever changed through your prayers and purchases of the handbags.

How You Can Help 

• Pray for the students that they would do well in school and would continue to be healed and restored, as they have been set free from captivity.
• Pray for wisdom regarding the widows as it relates to how we can support them while they go to school and/or keep them and the animals they desire to raise safe.
•  Continued provision as it relates to donations to ensure we can meet the needs of these widows as the plan unfolds.

More to come on the 11 students in school as Cyrus will be back in Kigali June 17th so his first hand report will be coming shortly.