Wednesday, June 5, 2013

June 2013 Update

This last month has truly been a time of blessings and God’s providence. The blessings began with three boys giving their hearts to the Lord and being baptized. We are excited to share how God has even further moved the hearts of Torey and other volunteers and brought the team of support we have been praying for at HFLM.

The biggest highlight for me (Hilliary) this month was getting a phone call from Torey Rozario saying she has been praying and would love to return to Rwanda and serve HFLM in the position of Executive Director. A huge burden has been lifted from me now that God has brought a team of support. Torey’s decision to serve as Executive Director enables me to take a needed rest from my responsibilities in Rwanda. This answer to our prayers for an Executive Director allows me to return to the States and oversee the all-important task of fundraising as well as other activities for HFLM. The HFLM board, staff, and I are incredibly grateful for Torey’s heart and overjoyed to have her return to Rwanda.

Family and friends after the baptism. Front, left to right: Eric and his sister Rachel. Back, left to right: Emile, Chantal, Patrick and his mother, Olivier and his mother
The joyful spirit continued as we held a large celebration at HFLM this past month for the baptism of Patrick, Emile, and Olivier. We invited neighbors and the boys’ families, and were happy to have Patrick's and Olivier's mothers attend. The Church choir came and sang and the pastor shared an encouraging message from the Word of God. The boys had a great day and declared their intention to bear good fruits. We all had to laugh when Patrick told his mother, “I am going to be obedient now and I have left all evil things in the water.” It has been remarkable watching Patrick grow since his arrival at HFLM a year ago. He came with a hardened heart and was one of the more rebellious children at the home. God’s softening of his heart has brought joy in his life, developed his character and furthered his desire to be a loving and obedient. 

The Church choir singing with the staff and children at HFLM
Please keep the boys in your prayers. Pray for God to continue the good work He has started in their lives and that they would remain encouraged in their walks with Christ. I will be returning to Rwanda this month to manage HFLM until Torey arrives. Please pray for safe travel and for continued healing for health issues I have been struggling with.

And a big thanks to those of you who have donated towards the goal of purchasing computers and software to take with me on my return to Rwanda.




May 2013 Update


This month is a mix of hellos and goodbye.  We have accepted two new boys into our program, and are saying goodbye to Torey Rozario who has served at HFLM since September 2012. Although she is leaving Rwanda this month, her legacy will endure in Rwanda, and we hope God will lead her to come back to serve.

Torey trying on the dress Chantal gave her
Torey has made a tremendous impact on the lives of our staff, children, and the families of our boys. As a result of her hard work and dedication, we successfully reintegrated 9 boys into their families last November, completed renovations on 5 family homes, and aided 3 families in developing income generating projects.  She also took on the responsibility of Interim Executive Director, giving Hilliary a much needed time in the States to regain her health and raise financial support for HFLM’s operations. We have all been deeply moved by Torey’s heart, compassion, and hard work. As evidence of the staff’s deep love for Torey, Chantal surprised her with a Rwandan dress she had made for her. We look forward to seeing her sporting her jazzy dress in America in honor of her extended family in Rwanda.  Please pray for Torey as she returns home and for future guidance of where God might lead her.

Let us now introduce to you the new boys who have joined our family. Olivier and Emile are neighbors who grew up in extreme poverty, receiving at most one meal a day. Olivier told us that for as long as he can remember, he has always been hungry. In hopes of finding a job and supporting their families, they hitchhiked to Kigali. Their high hopes were dashed when they arrived: “We were unable to find a job and found ourselves begging on the streets, eating from garbage cans instead.” After a couple of months of living in these conditions, they were brought to HFLM. We were shocked to discover that they are both 14 years old. The severe malnutrition is most evident in Emile who is one of the smallest boys at HFLM and looks like he is 8 years old. In addition to his severe malnutrition, his skin is worn and marked from sleeping outside in the cold since he was a child.

Both of the boys have quickly transitioned into the HFLM family. They confided in us how happy they are to have the opportunity to go to school and have their needs met. Nevertheless, Olivier still grieves over his siblings’ living situation. He shared, I want to study and when I grow up, I will support my brothers. I want to be a doctor or a police man because there are many in need and I want to help.” Emile also has dreams for his future, yearning to becoming a teacher. In addition to supporting them in the fulfillment of their dreams, we are excited that they both joined the church choir and want to give their lives to Christ. We have arranged with their church for them to be baptized on May 11th.

The HFLM family: Emile below Torey and Olivier upper right in orange
Shortly after Emile and Olivier came to HFLM, we contacted their families. Both of the mothers were filled with tears of joy upon hearing their boys were safe and immediately made a trip to HFLM to see their sons.  Our goal this next year is to equip these two families with the skills and resources to break their chains of poverty, enabling Emile and Olivier to return home.

Torey spending quality time with the boys before she leaves
Hilliary will be returning to Rwanda in June and would love to bring laptops and computer software to teach the children of HFLM computer skills. If you are interested in donating either a laptop or computer software please email Hilliary at andersonhfl@gmail.com. We also welcome your prayers for her as she prepares to return to Rwanda, as she has been struggling with health issues.

We have continued to be incredibly blessed by all of your prayers and support. It has been a privilege watching the transformation God has brought in the lives of numerous street children and their families.