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Mission News
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ARCHIVESFebruary 7 2010 - 6:45:00
February 1 2010 - 3:01:25
January 23 2010 - 2:03:00
January 16 2010 - 23:48:10
January 11 2010 - 1:54:53
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Here are some videos/blogs of Operation Rwanda's mission launch, January – February 2010. During the course of this trip Pastor Greg, Andrew, and Evan established a feeding program and hooked up solar panels to many of the buildings that needed light. Click below to see the mission details.
Week Eight
March 5 2010 - 1:39:00
Hey everyone,
Our trip to Rwanda is now coming to an end, as we're both sitting in the hot Kigali airport, waiting on yet another delayed flight. Woohoo? During our nine week stay here, we've been able to accomplish far more than we thought we were able to. The duplex building in Gatsata is now fully renovated with new electrical and plumbing, as well as furnished with beds/furniture and a fresh new kitchen. It is now ready to house 8 orphans and a caretaker. Also, we finished up with the solar panels in the medical storage room for the on-site nurse. The feeding program will continue to run even after we're gone back to Canada, and if our plan follows through, we'll be able to keep this running for many years to come.
Andrew's thoughts
This trip has really touched my heart, one thing that really impacted me was when we handed out the toothbrushes and dental floss. The kids had no idea what a toothbrush was, or how to use it. But going out and buying a new toothbrush for us is a common routine. The electrical was very different here than it is in Canada, but I was still able to figure it out, with only 1 shock, and only a few close death experiences! But it excites me to know that we helped create a feeding program that will continue to change lives even after we're gone. The children here are in desperate need, as many of them are parentless, and even the ones with parents sometimes can't provide food for them. I just want all of our supporters to know, that you personally changed many lives through your generous giving, and all of the children are so thankful. I'm very excited to come home and share all of my stories with you.
Evan's thoughts
This trip has been an unforgettable experience for me. Not only was it a time of changing the lives of others, but it was a time of self-transformation as well. Deep down I didn't know if I could really help anyone, though I wanted to- I didn't have the confidence. But this trip showed me that I, or we, have the power to help others, and to change lives for the better good. There are many people here in need, some back home might even say "too many". But change won't happen until we decide to do something about it. I'm now confident in saying that I know what I have to do in life. That life isn't about yourself, but it's about others. If only every person could experience the same trip that I've experienced over the last eight weeks, I'm certain that others would feel the same obligation I feel towards the helpless here. Change starts with you.
Love you all,
Evan & Andrew
Our trip to Rwanda is now coming to an end, as we're both sitting in the hot Kigali airport, waiting on yet another delayed flight. Woohoo? During our nine week stay here, we've been able to accomplish far more than we thought we were able to. The duplex building in Gatsata is now fully renovated with new electrical and plumbing, as well as furnished with beds/furniture and a fresh new kitchen. It is now ready to house 8 orphans and a caretaker. Also, we finished up with the solar panels in the medical storage room for the on-site nurse. The feeding program will continue to run even after we're gone back to Canada, and if our plan follows through, we'll be able to keep this running for many years to come.
Andrew's thoughts
This trip has really touched my heart, one thing that really impacted me was when we handed out the toothbrushes and dental floss. The kids had no idea what a toothbrush was, or how to use it. But going out and buying a new toothbrush for us is a common routine. The electrical was very different here than it is in Canada, but I was still able to figure it out, with only 1 shock, and only a few close death experiences! But it excites me to know that we helped create a feeding program that will continue to change lives even after we're gone. The children here are in desperate need, as many of them are parentless, and even the ones with parents sometimes can't provide food for them. I just want all of our supporters to know, that you personally changed many lives through your generous giving, and all of the children are so thankful. I'm very excited to come home and share all of my stories with you.
Evan's thoughts
This trip has been an unforgettable experience for me. Not only was it a time of changing the lives of others, but it was a time of self-transformation as well. Deep down I didn't know if I could really help anyone, though I wanted to- I didn't have the confidence. But this trip showed me that I, or we, have the power to help others, and to change lives for the better good. There are many people here in need, some back home might even say "too many". But change won't happen until we decide to do something about it. I'm now confident in saying that I know what I have to do in life. That life isn't about yourself, but it's about others. If only every person could experience the same trip that I've experienced over the last eight weeks, I'm certain that others would feel the same obligation I feel towards the helpless here. Change starts with you.
Love you all,
Evan & Andrew
Week Seven
February 20 2010 - 14:25:38
Hey everyone,
Our stay here in Rwanda is almost at an end, as we have 12 days left now. Today I wasn't feeling too well so I had to take a motorcycle taxi back to the guest house. It didn't help that Andrew just previously saw 2 people get hit by a vehicle yesterday. I was a little nervous. But I made it alive, even though there were a few moments where I felt like I was going to die.
This week the feeding program went really well, everything is coming together and it looks as though we'll be able to keep this running smoothly even after we leave. We fed 86 children last Saturday, and the children were very thankful. We also handed out over 100 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss that were all donated by a generous dentist from Barrie, Ontario. As you can see in the video, it was a new experience for them, as one child wasn't too fond of the taste of the toothpaste!
This week we installed 2 big ceiling fans at a church located in Gatsata, Rwanda. The people there were very appreciative of this, as the building is boiling hot during the day. We also installed 3 new outlet plugs in the building which was also a need.
On Thursday we went to a local hospital here in Rwanda. We bought bananas, passion fruit, sugar (for tea) and bars of soap which are used to wash clothes. One thing here that is very sad in the hospitals is the patients aren't given food from the hospital. Each patient relies on their friends/family to come and bring food for them. So if someone doesn't have any friends/family that is willing to do that for them, then they're basically left in the hospital bed to rot. One girl broke down an started crying when we gave her a banana, as it touched her very deeply. This then caused me to cry as well. As we were leaving the hospital, a dead patient was wheeled past us. I'm not sure what's worse here, a hospital, or a grave.
Love you all,
Evan & Andrew
Our stay here in Rwanda is almost at an end, as we have 12 days left now. Today I wasn't feeling too well so I had to take a motorcycle taxi back to the guest house. It didn't help that Andrew just previously saw 2 people get hit by a vehicle yesterday. I was a little nervous. But I made it alive, even though there were a few moments where I felt like I was going to die.
This week the feeding program went really well, everything is coming together and it looks as though we'll be able to keep this running smoothly even after we leave. We fed 86 children last Saturday, and the children were very thankful. We also handed out over 100 toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss that were all donated by a generous dentist from Barrie, Ontario. As you can see in the video, it was a new experience for them, as one child wasn't too fond of the taste of the toothpaste!
This week we installed 2 big ceiling fans at a church located in Gatsata, Rwanda. The people there were very appreciative of this, as the building is boiling hot during the day. We also installed 3 new outlet plugs in the building which was also a need.
On Thursday we went to a local hospital here in Rwanda. We bought bananas, passion fruit, sugar (for tea) and bars of soap which are used to wash clothes. One thing here that is very sad in the hospitals is the patients aren't given food from the hospital. Each patient relies on their friends/family to come and bring food for them. So if someone doesn't have any friends/family that is willing to do that for them, then they're basically left in the hospital bed to rot. One girl broke down an started crying when we gave her a banana, as it touched her very deeply. This then caused me to cry as well. As we were leaving the hospital, a dead patient was wheeled past us. I'm not sure what's worse here, a hospital, or a grave.
Love you all,
Evan & Andrew
Week Six
February 15 2010 - 0:45:25
Hey everyone,
Another very busy week here in the mountainous region of Rwanda. As we were driving home earlier this week we came across a problem on the road; about 50 cars were all stopped in both directions. It turned out that a landmine from the genocide was found near a village which was located off of the highway. It's devastating to see that they're still finding evidences of the tragedy that occurred over 15 years ago.
On Saturday we were able to finally launch our first week of feeding in Gitarama, which is a very poor region in Rwanda. To our surprise, the amount of food/cooking supplies we bought for $50.00USD was enough to feed almost DOUBLE what we expected. It only cost roughly 50 cents per plate of rice/beans here. And as you can see in the video, those aren't wimpy portions either! So this week, we were able to feed 120 children with the amount of food that was cooked. Seeing their huge smiles makes everything worth it.
For the electrical, this week Andrew was busy quoting out the different projects, and seeing what we are able to do with the funds given to us. Andrew changed the main service power in the Gatsata church. Before Andrew fixed it, it was very unsafe. There were 4 live wires sticking out of the wall, and a bunch of smaller wires with electrical tape on them. These wires were at a height where any child could touch them and seriously injure themselves. Andrew says the new panel is installed the "Nu-Tek" way, the right way.
Love you all,
Evan & Andrew
Another very busy week here in the mountainous region of Rwanda. As we were driving home earlier this week we came across a problem on the road; about 50 cars were all stopped in both directions. It turned out that a landmine from the genocide was found near a village which was located off of the highway. It's devastating to see that they're still finding evidences of the tragedy that occurred over 15 years ago.
On Saturday we were able to finally launch our first week of feeding in Gitarama, which is a very poor region in Rwanda. To our surprise, the amount of food/cooking supplies we bought for $50.00USD was enough to feed almost DOUBLE what we expected. It only cost roughly 50 cents per plate of rice/beans here. And as you can see in the video, those aren't wimpy portions either! So this week, we were able to feed 120 children with the amount of food that was cooked. Seeing their huge smiles makes everything worth it.
For the electrical, this week Andrew was busy quoting out the different projects, and seeing what we are able to do with the funds given to us. Andrew changed the main service power in the Gatsata church. Before Andrew fixed it, it was very unsafe. There were 4 live wires sticking out of the wall, and a bunch of smaller wires with electrical tape on them. These wires were at a height where any child could touch them and seriously injure themselves. Andrew says the new panel is installed the "Nu-Tek" way, the right way.
Love you all,
Evan & Andrew
