Joe Bear's Discovery Trip to Rwanda

Valor Discovery Rwanda, Africa, 2015
Love, Heal, Restore

About me:     My name is Joe Bear.  I am a Senior in high school and will be traveling to Rwanda this summer with a group of students from my school to live with, work for and help some of the children of Rwanda being served by Hope Haven. 

I have been blessed with many opportunities in life and I hope to share some of my blessings with those that have not been so fortunate.   Volunteering is very important to me.  Some of my previous volunteer activies include coaching kids with Down Syndrome and sharing with them my love of football, serving as a Youth Ambassor for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation which combats childhood obesity in our country, home restoration projects for senior citizens in my community and coaching youth football and basketball teams.

I need help.  I am currently a Senior in high school and will be starting college in the fall.  I want to spend my summer giving back but really need help raising funds for my service trip to Rwanda.  Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much in advance!

Rwanda.
The east african Republic of Rwanda is a beautiful, mountainous country. In the 1990's, Rwanda witnessed a massive ethnically motivated genocide in which hundreds of thousands perished over a few short months leaving an aftermath of orphans, sorrow, disease, and shattered lives coupled with a devastated economy and infrastructure. Over the last 19 years, the people of Rwanda have made incredible progress in rebuilding their country and lives after the atrocity of the 1994 Genocide.

Hope Haven.
Discovery Rwanda will partner with Hope Haven and their vision to love, heal and restore  survivors' lives in the name of Jesus Christ. Valor students plan to spend time serving in the small village of Murindi where Hope Haven has opened a pre-primary school and is beginning the construction of a primary school and vocational school to provide educational advancement and vocational opportunities. In addition to working with the children in school, we will run Vacation Bible School activities, provide food, and participate in construction projects on the school site as we serve as the hands of Christ. Hope Haven is involved in multiple projects as they will serve thousands of people in the area, including provision for clean water to hundreds of families. This project will eliminate the need for families to travel three hours round trip daily while carrying 40 pounds of water on their backs.

The Discovery team will continue their sacrificial service, as they further serve alongside other faith-based ministries, in Kigali and the countryside, working with orphans and older school children. A short journey into the National Park to witness the beauty of God's African wildlife creation is also included in the trip plans.  Discovery students on this experience will also explore and wrestle with the issues involved in the contemporary history of Rwanda, the recent genocide and contribute to the healing and development that has made Rwanda a new country.

 Who:
Valor students seeking to serve Rwandan children and families.
Where:
Kigali and countryside Rwanda
What:
Valor students will serve alongside Hope Haven and other faith based ministry organizations in the areas of construction, school interaction, VBS and building relationships.