Orphans_Pen Pals Home Page_2

Rev. Jim Jackson Mudahinyuka in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa with the children of HOSTA.

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."

1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV)

Beginnings

The Orphans Pen Pals Project was birthed during a church conference at which Rev. Jackson Mudahinyuka of Rwanda and James Anthony Allen of the United States discussed building a website to showcase Rev. Mudahinyuka's Kigali, Rwanda based organization, HOSTA (Hope for the Orphans to Skills and Training). Almost as an aside, Rev. Mudahinyuka inquired whether students in the United States would be interested in becoming Pen Pals to orphans in Rwanda. Thus, the Orphans Pen Pals Project was born.

In Anthony, the Lord had birthed a series of books for which the revenue stream and related business ventures needed to be spiritually leveraged to God's glory. Where God places a vision, He places His Provision; a way for the vision to be fulfilled. God birthed an idea for a type of consignment website online which would help connect individuals and companies through meaningful exchanges of merchandise, services, talent, time, and energy. Long-stored and unused items would be moved out of attics, basements, and garages to meet the need - and bless - another person. Thus, eBlessings.us was born. eBlessings.us consists of three components: The Orphans Pen Pals Project, The eBlessings Exchange and The eBlessings Gift Shop. eBlessings.us provides funding for the Orphans Pen Pals Project, a project which is growing into other countries in Africa and other parts of the world.

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:

for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;" 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV)

Why Pen Pals In Rwanda?

The Orphan Pen Pal Project enables students in the United States to become friends with students in Rwanda. Each learn of each other's daily lives, community life, and hopes and dreams. It is a simple - and yet profound - connection. Students exchange letters, cards and photographs which are centrally collected and mailed, ensuring each child receives a letter from each mailing.

eBlessings provides training and educational materials and programs to successfully integrate a Pen Pal Program in local schools. By learning of the history, politics, geography and people of Rwanda, students gain an appreciation for others and learn to appreciate the blessings they enjoy. The excitement of receiving letters from the other side of the globe is exhilarating. Browse some of the letters and you will be truly blessed!

The Pen Pal Project spreads love from country to country and that is the greatest blessing of all.

Geography Of Rwanda

Rwanda, a county of 7.8 million people, is located in Central Africa adjacent to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi and Uganda. It is a fertile land, with grassy uplands and hills and the volcanic Virunda mountains in the northwest. Temperatures hover in the 80’s and 90’s in the grasslands, with cooler weather and snow possible in the mountains. Two rainy seasons occur from February – April and again from November – January.

A Brief History

In 1959, three years before its independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsi were killed and many fled the country. In 1990, a civil war began between the Hutus and the Tutsi. Roughly 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus were killed. In July 1994 the Tutsis defeated the Hutu regime. Fearing retaliation by the Tutsi, approximately 2 million Hutus fled the country, just as the Tutsis had fled some forty years before.

In the late 1990s, many Hutus began to return to Rwanda and the first local elections were held in March 1999. Today, Tutsis and Hutus struggle to find a way to live together, rebuild the economic structure of Rwanda, and maintain peace.

Effects On Children

The many years of fighting and death has left a terrible toll. At least 85,000 households were left without parents in the civil war. The children who survived were left to live in squalid conditions without medical care or the chance to attend school. UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said the situation is one of the most tragic legacies of the slayings.

"Vast numbers of people are still in torment in Rwanda," Bellamy said. "But few remain as vulnerable as the children living in parentless households. They are the most marginalized of the poor in an area of almost unimaginable suffering and want."

The number of families headed by children under age 18 is still believed to be near 60,000, representing more than 300,000 children. Three fourths of the households are headed by girls, who are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and discrimination. For child-headed households, the family structure to support and raise children doesn’t exist.

Rev Jackson Mudahinyuka can be reached at the

Gospel Power Center Church web site: www.gospelpowercc.org

Support this Ministry with your Seed Power and your Prayer Power!

A Vision of Caring and Sharing!

Each One! Bless One!

You Make a Difference!