Kids Across Africa Camps Blog

Hands

Posted on January 8th, 2012

“Be the hands and feet of God.”

Have you heard that phrase? If so, have you given thought to the idea? What does it look like? How does it feel? Where does it take you? How do those words change when age, occupation, hobbies, location, attitude, religion, education, gifting, motivation, ________ (be creative, insert a word) are considered? How does being the hands & feet of God look for a banker when compared to a farmer? What about a curious toddler compared to a 67 year old scholar? A missionary on the field compared to the person who is able to help financially support a ministry?

On his trip Jeff, took a series of photographs of hands. In the next few days we will share a photograph he took and a few words from him about the picture, the memories it brings back and the reason his finger pressed down to capture the moment.

What do you see?

Posted on January 5th, 2012

Kids Across Africa has a very good friend, Jeff Cyr. He is exceptional and devoted, kind and adventurous, full of knowledge and a lover of Jesus. He is a photographer and a teacher, a student of the Word and Creation. His ability to use his professional background in teaching, in conjunction with his love and study of the outdoors, is a true gift. And guess who was a beneficiary?

In June of 2011, Jeff traveled to Rwanda to break ground and build a low elements ropes course. Using local materials and some that were carried over form the States, something that was a dream and sketches on paper became reality. In the next week we will share with you highlights and pictures of his trip. Follow with us as we share what so many of you have and are making possible.

We will leave you with a preview picture. What do you see?

The Road Ahead

Posted on December 31st, 2011

This photograph was taken on a hike while the group from Crested Butte was in Musanze. A beautiful afternoon winding in and out of the local homes, ending at a spring which provided water for families. Children flocking to their sides and holding hands, climbing on backs, each grinning and laughing.

As we looked back at photographs taken this year, this one was a reminder that our journey continues. We are so thankful for the gifts of 2011 and with great anticipation look to the gifts 2012 will bring.

For your support and prayers we thank you. There have been many of you who have been consistent in your prayers and a handful who have been consistent in both prayer and financial giving. For those who send the occasional email, phone call or social media word of encouragement, thank you. It is each of you that keep Kids Across Africa moving ahead.

May you know that you are thought of often, appreciated and remembered in our prayers. Let’s make 2012 a year that Kids Across Africa will never forget!

Wishing you and yours a very safe and happy New Year’s Eve and all the best in 2012.

Umunsi Mwiza

Posted on December 25th, 2011

Wishing you Merry Christmas, Umunsi Mqiza, from the Kids Across Africa Family.

Invitations Accepted

Posted on December 20th, 2011

Timeline of a Summer day in 2009, Musanze Rwanda:

Jock, Rwanda national cycling team coach, invited Jonathan, KAAC board president, to dinner
Michael, dentist from Crested Butte, CO, went for a bike ride in Musanze
Jock noticed Michael riding, stopped him, visited, invited him to dinner
Jonathan & Michael went to Jock’s home for dinner
All visited, shared a meal and extended invitations
Jonathan invited Michael to stay in the extra room at the KAAC house while he was in the area, Michael accepted
During his stay Michael, invited Jonathan and his family to visit Crested Butte, Jonathan accepted

{months pass}

The timeline above gave birth to a new friendship and a connection between a little mountain town in Colorado and a town in the northern part of Rwanda. Jonathan accepted the invitation from Michael and took his family to Crested Butte in June of 2010. During their stay in CB Michael connected Jonathan with local churches, business owners and friends. Over dinner and in homes Jonathan shared the vision and work that KAAC was doing in Rwanda. Person by person, family by family, congregation by congregation, Crested Butte began to connect with Musanze, Rwanda.

Michael, a world traveler with a giant heart, wanted to bring high school students from CB to Rwanda. He decided to have students create a service project benefiting the local area and present their work to him. From the students who participated, he would choose one. The student chosen would accompany him to Rwanda for 2 weeks over Spring Break 2011. Students applied and one was chosen, but 4 students and 4 adults would eventually come together, forming a team; four high school students, a yoga instructor, a Realtor from NYC, a trauma therapist and a dentist.

In April 2011 a board member of KAAC, ‘becca Nimrod, traveled to Rwanda to prepare for their arrival and host them on behalf of KAAC. After hours of flight time and crashing on the floors of airports around the world their plane landed and she welcomed them to Rwanda.

The days to follow would be filled with a day camp, dental hygiene clinics, trauma therapy sessions and yoga classes. Pick up games of soccer and walks into town for a Fanta happened with regularity. Times of prayer and conversations about the difference in daily life challenged and encouraged. Crested Butte met Musanze and it was exactly the way it was to be. Not perfect and not easy, but right.

Months have once again passed. We talked with Michael this weekend and asked him to share about the trip and a defining moment. These are his words:

I think the whole time in Rwanda with the kids was nothing short of amazing. I always think it interesting when you get to see young people go to a new place with preconceived notions, then realizing how off they were. I remember before we left for Africa all the parents and kids asked, “Is it safe?” or some variation of that statement. It was clear that no matter what we said, deep down they were all slightly uneasy and fearing the unknown. Like many places and cultures in the world today……unfortunately there is much more bad news, and sensationalism when you do research on the Internet, or watch “the news” on TV. One of the main reasons I love taking kids on these trips is to watch them see with their own eyes that the world is actually much kinder that what they’re taught by our schools and our media. I would have to say that the defining moment for me on that trip was watching the kids make friends with the local children, gain knowledge and trust from locals who they met, and most important of all…..they came home with nothing but amazing stories that forever changed their lives for the better.

Michael, the team from Crested Butte and NYC who gave 2 weeks of your time to serve the people of Rwanda with Kids Across Africa, THANK YOU! Know you are most welcome to join us again. As you look at the jagged skyline of the Rockies, may you see the rounded skyline of Rwanda, remember and smile.

It all happened because of an extended invitation. Shall we extend that invitation to you? If you are interested in KAAC hosting you in Rwanda, let us talk. To begin the conversation, please send an email to kidsacrossafricacamp@gmail.com.