Surprising New Year's resolutions from the boys of HFLM

Paul, Djuhudi, & Emile’s goals: be closer to God, forgive enemies, and learn to read and write.

Last month, we introduced Amanda Good and the transformative work she has been doing with the boys at HFLM. Each week, she leads an interactive devotion with the boys, asking challenging questions, discussing what it looks like to be a Christ follower, and having a time of journaling their prayers and reflections. The boys finished their first mini-series devotional on goal setting just in time for the New Year. The boys eagerly wrote down their goals for this next year, imagining the kind of person they would like to grow to be. The following are a few highlights of their 2015 goals:

• “I want to be a good example in all that I am doing.”
• “I want to grow in love.”
• “I want to honor God in my youth and all the days of my life”

These goals demonstrate what precious hearts our incredible young men possess. To learn more, watch our goal setting video here!

Claude's goal: "I want to love people more than I do." He also wants to work hard at school, respect his teachers, and become a better soccer player.

Coming from backgrounds of intense abuse, neglect, and rejection, a big struggle amidst many of our boys is changing their self-perspective from an unwanted street child, into a deeply loved child of God. We have begun the next mini-series devotional focused on love and are confronting the common lie street children feel – that they are unworthy of love. After diving deeper into questions of identity and how to receive and show love, one boy wrote in his journal, “From now on, I know that God really loves me so much. When people see me, I want them to see love.” We are beyond excited for this next season!

Jack (right) after being baptized.

16-year-old Jack ended the month by deciding to publicly declare his faith by getting baptized. Jack said, “It is a special day because I have chosen Jesus as my Savior. I thank God because He protected me while I was on the street and He created a way for me to stop that life. I thank God because He just really loves me.”

Thank you very much for all you are doing to enable these important moments in our boys’ lives. As a result of your generosity and support, broken hearts are healing, chains are being broken, and lives are being rebuilt for God’s great glory.

Megan Reunited with Boys after 3.5 Years!

This holiday school break has been a very special time for the boys at HFLM. After being apart for three-and-a-half years, the children were reunited with co-founder Megan Chao and her husband, Yao! It was a very joyous reunion full of basketball, games, and making new memories together.

The highlight for most children, however, was traveling to Rwanda’s national safari park to view wildlife for the first time. Squeals of delight and surprise filled the bus as zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and warthogs sprinted around us. With an enormous grin shining from his face, 16-year-old Olivier exclaimed, “This is my favorite trip of my whole life!” It was truly a special day that will always be remembered. Click here to view a glimpse of the safari.

Megan and Yao visiting HFLM and taking the boys on their first Safari!

Yao playing with Benjamin and Claude.

The boys’ vacations have also been enriched by a remarkable young woman, Amanda Good. Amanda is a volunteer from Colorado who has committed to living and serving in Rwanda for the next two years. She brings deep passion and talent to our team and has been busy assisting our Directors, developing sustainability projects, and leading weekly Bible studies for our children and staff, among many other responsibilities. She recently made prayer journals for each of the boys that have been an immensely powerful resource for them to record their prayers, thoughts, and emotions, while also developing their personal relationships with Jesus. One boy wrote, “I remember when You picked me from the street. I didn’t realize that I could stop that life but You showed me that You are able as God. You didn’t stop there. You helped my family. It is not easy for us as humans, but for You, it is simple. Thank You so much for that. I need You to put me among your servants forever and ever.”

Amanda spending time with Claude, who goes by his nickname "Littleman."

We are immensely grateful for Amanda’s commitment to serve alongside us, and we rejoice at the fruit already being displayed from her efforts. If you would like to follow Amanda’s journey in Rwanda, please visit her blog.

We hope you had a terrific holiday season, and we look forward to partnering with you in 2015 for our sixth year of ministry in Rwanda!

HFLM Rescues Two New Boy

We are delighted to announce that Hope For Life Ministry accepted two new boys into our program last month. We are honored to introduce our new friends to you!

Irakiza outside his new home at HFLM

Five-year-old Irakizi is the youngest member of our HFLM family. He has a huge personality and brings great creativity and energy to the home. He can often be found exploring our property, creating games, and making others smile with his contagious laughter. When asked why he likes HFLM, Irakiza responded, “I like Hope For Life because they give me food and meat and French fries and potatoes and bread!” Irakiza, however, hasn’t always been so happy. He spent his young life on Rwanda’s streets, finding meals in the garbage dump and was the victim of regular physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. When another children’s center called us saying they found a boy too young for their program, we excitedly welcomed Irakiza into our family.

Valence after being accepted into HFLM's home

17-year old Valence is a quiet and humble young man who had been living on the streets in HFLM’s neighborhood for the past four years. Valence grew up living with his grandmother. When she passed away, the sons of his grandmother told him to go to his father’s family, because they were worried he might inherit their land. Valence sought out his father and found him living in such severe poverty that he couldn’t even afford to buy food, let alone pay for school fees. Valence decided that life on the streets would be better than starving at home. Two years ago, we met Valence when he began coming to HFLM’s outreach program, where he would wash his clothes, eat a nutritious meal, receive counseling, and pray with our staff. After showing significant growth and a motivation to live a changed life, we brought him to live at our HFLM home. He is enjoying his new family, and we are all thrilled to have him with us!

Both Irakiza and Valence are in need of sponsors. If you are interested in supporting them partially or in full, please visit our sponsorship page. 

Your support is empowering children who have lost hope to have an opportunity for new life. As the Christmas season approaches, we are reminded of God’s great love for us and that He is the Father to the fatherless. God bless and Merry Christmas! 

Visit www.hopeforlifeministry.org/gifts

“I’m deeply moved by the healing and hope that HFLM brings to children and I feel honored to have been a part of it. God is so present here. The word transformative gets thrown around often but this work truly IS transformative.” –Torey de Rozario

This month, the boys and staff of HFLM said goodbye to Torey de Rozario after over two years of service. Torey’s hard work has powerfully shaped HFLM and her impact will continue as she continues to serve the ministry stateside. Under Torey’s leadership, HFLM has transitioned all of our children over to private English school, developed a robust family empowerment program, trained and transitioned leadership over to Chantal and Marie Clarice, and raised over $65,000! Torey brought unity and life to our children and staff as she so naturally emits love to those around her. We have become our best with Torey around us and we could not be more grateful for her outpouring of skills, time, and heart into HFLM. 

Torey and Benjamin, before she headed back to the USA on November 4th.

One of Torey’s most life changing experiences was rescuing and naming two five-year old twins. These twins had only been called “boy” and “girl” and endured heart-breaking abuse while fending for themselves on the streets. Through HFLM, Benjamin and Grace are now learning their identity through their heavenly father and know they are deeply loved.

One year later, Benjamin and Grace have just completed their first year of school! They have been given a whole new world of opportunities through education, counseling, and the love of their new families. After only one year in school, Benjamin is already one of HFLM’s strongest English speakers and often translates for the other boys. Benjamin’s confidence, discipline and deep joy are touching to witness. He frequently goes out of his way to help others, and the biggest smile appears on his face every time he is told what a good boy he is. HFLM remains closely connected with Grace as well, who lives in a nearby home for girls and regularly visits to receive counseling and play with her brother. To watch Benjamin and Grace's full story on youtube, click here.

Benjamin and Grace’s radical transformation from an identity and life on the streets gives us a glimpse into God’s deep love and justice for his children. They are such a strong testament to the freedom and healing He is bringing and we are so honored to be doing this work with you!

Thank you to each of you who participated in our recent fundraisers in Edmonds, Washington and Vail, Colorado! Together, we raised nearly $24,000 to continue our transformative work with vulnerable children. We are so grateful!

Edmonds, WA Benefit Dinner from left to right: Co-Founders Chantal, Hilliary, Megan, pianist Jason Coult, HFLM Board President Christophe.

An Important Milestone - Rwandan Leadership

Our strategic vision has always been to equip indigenous Rwandan leaders to care for their own community themselves. Over the last year, we have been training and preparing Co-Founder and Program Director Chantal Umutesi, and Administrative Director Marie Clarice Nyachio, to run the operations of HFLM in Rwanda. We are excited to announce that at the beginning of this month, these ladies will begin co-directing HFLM. Over the past five years, God has used each of our American Directors’ unique talents to build a strong foundation for HFLM, to develop our programs, and to progress HFLM’s sustainability through developing Rwandan leadership. We are incredibly grateful for Torey de Rozario, who served as Executive Director for the past year and headed up the leadership transition. Torey will be completing her last month serving in Rwanda, and we would like to congratulate her on her hard work and for accomplishing our long standing goal!

Marie Clarice and Benjamin

Torey and Chantal

The Executive Director position will be split between Chantal Umutesi and Marie Clarice. Marie Clarice and Chantal beautifully balance each other in education, experience, and skill sets. We believe this change will bring a new strength to HFLM and a deeper connection with our mission to bring healing and hope to vulnerable Rwandan children as Rwandans take the lead in the Ministry. Torey will remain in Rwanda for another month, play an active advisor role upon returning to America for 6 months to ensure a smooth transition, and will then join the Board of Directors.

Chantal reeceiving kisses from Benjamin and Claude

We are thankful for God’s guidance during these times of transition. He has proved over and over again that HFLM is HIS ministry and that HE will be the one to sustain and lead it. Please join us in praying for our new directors and celebrating this important milestone in our journey.