Take a virtual tour of the Rwanda camp

3D Flyby proposed site and facilities of the first Kids Across Africa camp, to be located on Lake Burera, Rwanda in Musanze. A team of engineers and architects from Engineering Ministries International traveled to Rwanda in July 2008.

KAAC-R hires Team Leaders

The Kids Across Africa Camps Board of Directors recently announced the hiring of Jonathan Nimrod as President and Tim Muzira as Director of Business Operations. Nimrod came on board June 1, and Muzira joined the staff on July 1. The KAAC-Rboard plans to announce the hiring of a Director of Camp Operations on Aug. 1. Please check back for in-depth interviews with each of the men who have been chosen to lead the KAAC-R organization.

Rwandan leader tours camp in Golden, speaks in Branson

One of East Africa’s religious leaders visited southwest Missouri recently as a guest of Kids Across America (KAA) Kamps, based in Branson.

On February 18th, Bishop John Rucyahana-known as the Bishop of Rwanda and his wife, Harriet were invited to visit Kids Across America Camps in Golden Missouri with Gregg Bettis, KAA President. The couple were invited to visit the camp, because KAA will be a model for the new Kids Across Africa Camp (KAAC) to be built in Rwanda.

Bishop John Rucyahana currently serves on the KAAC Board of Directors and has been instrumental in helping Bettis and his Kids Across Africa Foundation get their camp project off the ground in Rwanda.

Bishop John Rucyahana is a native of Rwanda and has served as a leader in the Anglican Church of Uganda during the genocide of his people in Rwanda. In 1997, he returned to Rwanda and was named Bishop of the Shyira diocese of Rwanda. He has founded an orphanage and many schools in northern Rwanda and is involved in the ministry of reconciliation among his people.

Kids Across Africa Camps-Rwanda was founded on the dream of transforming the young people of Rwanda into Christian leaders. According to Bettis, KAAC is dedicated to bringing the hope of God’s love to the millions of Rwandan young people who are growing up in a country where genocide claimed the lives of over 1,000,000 people in 100 days.

“The call of God on my heart is to see kids experience an intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ,” said Bettis.

Plans are already in place to build a camp and retreat facility on 150-plus acres of lakefront property located on the shores of Burera Lake in northern Rwanda.

The goal of the camp’s leadership team is to host approximately 3,000 Rwandan young people and their group leaders beginning December, 2009. KAAC-R is being designed to host approximately 250 kids, 75 counselors and summer staff and 50 group leaders during each seven day camp session. Young people and their leaders will attend from communities and villages all across Rwanda and East Africa.

The KAA camp in Golden will serve as a model for the camp that is being planned in Rwanda. When Bishop John visited the camp during his recent visit, he described the facilities as “grand.” He said he could envision the camp as being “a tool and a channel” for bringing kids to the Lord and discipling them in the love of God.

“The camp will prepare them to be free thinkers and doers,” said Bishop John. “It will prepare them to be servant leaders.”

Bishop John also spoke about how a camp setting offered a unique opportunity to reach young people, especially those growing up in Rwanda.

“The camp grows children through teaching but also through having fun; it opens up their thoughts; it’s good and it’s wonderful,” said Bishop John. “It will be beautiful for African children to learn good things and to have fun at the same time.”

After touring the camp in Golden, Bishop John and Harriet were the guests of honor at a Kids Across Africa Camps Rwanda dessert briefing held in Branson and attended by about 50 KAA and KAAC-R supporters.

“Bishop John travels all over the world and so we’re grateful he could carve out some time to be here,” said Bettis. “His love for education, his love for the kids, his love for the Lord are so obvious.”

According to Bishop John, the vision of KAAC aligns itself perfectly with the miracle of reconciliation and renewal that is transforming Rwanda.

“I’m convinced that by Gregg (and KAAC) joining us, he’s coming to join God in what He’s already doing,” said Bishop John.

“We want first and foremost to transform the minds and souls of the people,” said Bishop John. “We have to start with the youth. They will be our servant leaders of tommorow. We have to start the transformation from the inside outward. We need to teach them to love the Lord. And we need you and your support.”