Guardians of Hope, Rwanda

Lake Kivu, Western Rwanda

Visiting the Guardians of Hope in Rwanda

This week, we are travelling through Northern and Western Rwanda with Patty Card and Isaie Gakwerere. It has been a great opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the genesis of the Guardians of Hope program in Rwanda, with Patty, and to come alongside Isaie as we encourage the ministry of the Rwandan churches in serving people affected and infected by HIV and AIDS.

Over the past five years, since the GOH was established in Rwanda, thousands of families have been impacted by churches and individuals coming together to care for the sick and vulnerable. Thousands of HIV and AIDS orphans are now being cared for by families who are heeding God's call to protect the widows and orphans.

Thanks to the generosity and sacrifice of individuals and congregations in Rwanda and in the West, resources are being used to transform hopeless situations! Each day we have met with more and more people who are sharing with us the impact God has made upon their lives and the way that God has used the Guardians of Hope to bring them back into the life giving community of the Church. Over this next week, we'll be compiling many of these stories to share with you.

A proud boy with his goats and sheep

given to his family by the Guardians of Hope.

It all started with a sheep and a loan of $10.

Mother used the loan to buy rabbits that multiplied from 5 to 35.

They sold the rabbits for meat and bought a second sheep.

The sheep had a lamb.

She returned this first born lamb to the church to give to another family.

The sheep had two more lambs and the rabbits kept multiplying.

Mother and children now have a home with a good tin roof,

four sheep, three goats,

manure for their garden, and food to eat

and not only have they repaid the $10 loan

mother is now investing their little money into

her children's education

Aaron with children in a small forest village along Lake Kivu

Erica and Patty with members of the Gisenyi Guardians of Hope

The town of Gisenyi on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Within the town a group of 20 Guardians meet to share how they are supporting one another in the care of HIV and AIDS orphans within their community.

Erica with Bernadette, president of the Guardians

of Hope group in Gisenyi town

In Prayer:

Please continue to pray for the ministry of the Guardians of Hope in Rwanda. In particular, please remember our national coordinator Isaie Gakwerere, serving with the Association of Rwandan Baptist Churches. Isaie is providing direct leadership for 29 projects within Rwanda. With a background in agricultural management, Isaie is passionate about helping groups become self sufficient, especially in the area of food security. We pray for his safety as he criss crosses Rwanda; for his health; and for wisdom as he supports the community and church leadership as they draw people together in caring for the marginalized within their towns and villages.