In July, Bill and I will be traveling half-way around the world, with the non-profit organization Food for the Hungry in partnership with Pathways Church to a remote village in Rwanda. We are humbly reaching out to our family and friends to raise money in support of this community that is close to our hearts.
The village of Nyabikiri is in the East part of the country, and where young, smiley 13-year old Florence (photo attached) lives with her family. I was introduced to her four years ago, when Bill and I each decided to sponsor a child through Food for the Hungry and we have been in communication ever since. I pray that she knows I love her. She is a smart girl who loves singing and playing games with her friends. She has a beautiful smile and loves her family.
Bill has a heart for Yves, a 12-year old boy who is a hard worker and consistently asks Bill to pray for his math studies. He recently wrote to Bill and told him about how much he enjoys playing soccer and studying english.
They both have known Bill and I since before we were married and shared in celebration this last summer when our daughter, Mica, was born. These are some awesome kids and it is such an honor to be a part of their story.
Recently, Bill and I have been presented with an amazing opportunity to travel to where they live, visit their homes, and, for the first time, meet Florence, Yves and their families in person. I hope to see their smiles, hug them and let them know how loved they are. I can hardly wait.
While we are there we will submerge ourselves in their lives and culture and learn more than I can even fathom. But, Florence, Yves and their families (and the entire 6,000-person village for that matter) know we are also coming to help bring clean drinking water -- something I know I take for granted -- through funding and installing a second water well.
As in many communities in East Africa, Food for the Hungry has explained to us that finding water is a physical endeavor: there is no tap to turn on. Everyday, they stand in the long the lines at the current well and/or walk to the nearest river or stream which is often several miles (with or without shoes) on rough terrain. The water is typically carried by women and children, and often weighs 20 to 40 pounds.
The water that fills their glasses, wash buckets, cooking pots, baths and fields is often contaminated, if not taken from a well. Diarrehea is one of the top four causes of death in children under five. Integrated water programs help people break free from poverty and live longer, healthier lives. With clean water, children have a better chance of reaching adulthood and communities at large are able to improve their lives and overcome the chronic issues that have kept them mired in poverty.
It's also technical. Building a water well is a long and hard process in Rwanda. Click here to watch a video a team from our church took last year while working to install the first water well. This video will help explain the process and all that is involved, as well as its long-term sustainability and impact. More importantly, you can see some of the faces of the people who will directly benefit from our visit.
As I mentioned, I am writing you to see if you will pray for us and support our trip and the Nyabikiri community in helping provide a second well in the village. This well will help alleviate the stress on their current well, establish another location, and bring cleaner water to more families every day.
As a small group of ten people, we are hoping to raise over $35,000 to make the trip and drinking well possible. It is awkward to ask for financial support, especially from family and friends, and, believe me, this is a humbling process. But I am compelled to ask because I know the impact it will have on Florence and Yves and their families. I know I can be a voice for them right now and it is an honor to do so.
Please do not feel pressured, but if you are able to financially help, please click here. This will take you to an online donation form on our church website. Our church will be collecting the funds from our supporters and then writing one check to Food for the Hungry. All donations are going directly to this effort. Please be sure to choose "Kate Borgelt" or "Bill Gillaspie" in the drop down menu on our church website so we can thank you and share the impact of your investment.
Whether or not you can financially support Nyabikiri at this time, please think of us and pray for our trip in July. I am bringing my journal and camera to capture the experience, and can't wait to share the highlights of this incredible journey with you. Should communications lines work for us, we hope to send an email from our entire team when in the capital city, Kigali, to keep you in touch with all that is taking place. We wish you could be with us, but will be sure to share the impact of your prayers and donations.
We send you our love and, in the words that Florence sent me in a letter a month ago, “I wish you a year of milk and honey."
Thank you!
Kate & Bill
Ps- My mom, Ellen, will be taking care of Mica for the 10 days we are in Rwanda…and spoiling her rotten just as a Gran should. :)
YVES!!
FLORENCE!!
