RUN FOR THE 1
Two months ago, our team received a patient from a village far from the Nyamata District Hospital. The patient was in severe pain after having a tooth removed by a nurse (who was not trained in dentistry) in her village. Because she did not have the means to travel to the hospital, the patient relied on the nurse’s help. The treatment led to complications and a severe post-operative infection.
Shortly after arriving at the hospital, the woman began having seizures and then went into shock and died in the dental chair, right in front of us.
Her death was totally preventable. This woman died unnecessarily from an infection due to the inadequate “care” she received. Even more heartbreaking was the fact that the woman was eight months pregnant… she should be alive, well and joyously caring for her infant.
On May 22, 2021, HHOA Rwanda team members will run from the Nyamata District Hospital to the Ngeruka Health Center located near the woman’s village 14 miles (22.5 km) away to bring attention to the arduous journey that most Rwandans must make for even the simplest dental treatment, and raise $25,000 to equip the Ngeruka Health Center with up-to-date dental equipment and trained staff which will prevent tragic events like this from happening again.
Running such a distance will be a challenge for our team, but we will run for the lost sheep - 'The One' - to whom we can share the love of Jesus.
Please join hands with us.
COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR THOMAS AND LITA
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We hope that you and your family are safe and well during this challenging time.
As many of you know, we are back home in the Los Angeles area, getting ready to send out a container filled with dental supplies and equipment that were made possible by the generous donations by you and our corporate partners.
We spent four months in Rwanda last year laying down the foundation for this moment. It has finally come: the construction of the first Compassion Community Dental Clinic is finished! There were many times as we were driving to the site that we thought we were dreaming and had to pinch ourselves to make sure that this was actually happening. Once the equipment arrives, we will officially launch the clinic and open a new chapter of HHOA.
As many of you know, we are back home in the Los Angeles area, getting ready to send out a container filled with dental supplies and equipment that were made possible by the generous donations by you and our corporate partners.
We spent four months in Rwanda last year laying down the foundation for this moment. It has finally come: the construction of the first Compassion Community Dental Clinic is finished! There were many times as we were driving to the site that we thought we were dreaming and had to pinch ourselves to make sure that this was actually happening. Once the equipment arrives, we will officially launch the clinic and open a new chapter of HHOA.
SUCCESSFUL VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER
Our first-ever Virtual Fundraiser in November was a big success. We shared our vision and story with people all around the world and reached our fundraising goal. Thank you for your continued support, even during these difficult times. Your expression of love for our organization and the people of Rwanda is greatly appreciated. We want to give special thanks to all who worked tirelessly to make the fundraiser possible: Betty Safari, Jubilant Sykes, Gary Chan, Harry Eun, Tom McAllister, our corporate sponsors and the entire HHOA board of directors and volunteer team. Thank you all for the successful event!
If you were not able to watch the event, or would like to share it with others, please go to our YouTube Channel.
Don't forget to subscribe!
If you were not able to watch the event, or would like to share it with others, please go to our YouTube Channel.
Don't forget to subscribe!
Mr. Jubilant Sykes soothing our soul with music at the Gala
It finally happened!
Tom and Lita moved to Rwanda in August, 2020 to officially begin their work sharing the hope and healing of Jesus with the people of Rwanda by providing much needed dental care and training future dentists to establish a sustainable dental care system. They will be working with the HHOA Rwanda Dental Team and Rwandan partners over the next few months to finalize the construction of HHOA's first Compassion Community Dental Clinic (CCDC) in Bugesera District.
Tom and Lita moved to Rwanda in August, 2020 to officially begin their work sharing the hope and healing of Jesus with the people of Rwanda by providing much needed dental care and training future dentists to establish a sustainable dental care system. They will be working with the HHOA Rwanda Dental Team and Rwandan partners over the next few months to finalize the construction of HHOA's first Compassion Community Dental Clinic (CCDC) in Bugesera District.
Thanks to all of your support, our first-ever virtual fundraising gala was a huge success! Praise God!
Greetings from Rwanda!
September, 2020
IT FINALLY HAPPENED!
As with many others around the world, our schedule for 2020 has been completely obliterated! While we patiently waited for the situation to improve, we received notice in early July from the Rwandan Embassy that Rwanda would be open to foreign travelers beginning August 1—in a matter of weeks. We quickly arranged for and sent out a container with our personal belongings, cleared out our home of 20 years (to put it on the market), said goodbye to family and friends, packed our suitcases and left for Rwanda on August 6.
Traveling was extremely difficult as rules and regulations seemingly changed daily. In addition, limited flight options plus concerns about international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic created delays. Our flight was an exhausting 38 hours long. Thankfully, your prayer support and God’s protection allowed us to arrive safely.
Here, everything is new! New home, new relationships, new food, new smells, new language, new sounds, new ways to do laundry, new scenery as I go on my runs, new ways of grocery shopping…the list is endless. By God’s grace, we found an apartment to call home for the next few months; we’ve reconnected with friends and ministry partners, and with your continuing prayers, the transition has been relatively smooth.
From the day of arrival, we have pressed forward to open this exciting new chapter of His Hands On Africa for which we have been patiently waiting. Initially, we met the Dental Team of HHOA and shared our dreams with one another over dinner. It was so encouraging seeing their faces full of hope and aspirations. The Team is committed to partner with HHOA and to dedicate their lives, gifts and talents as a channel of blessing to heal the people of Rwanda.
From the day of arrival, we have pressed forward to open this exciting new chapter of His Hands On Africa for which we have been patiently waiting. Initially, we met the Dental Team of HHOA and shared our dreams with one another over dinner. It was so encouraging seeing their faces full of hope and aspirations. The Team is committed to partner with HHOA and to dedicate their lives, gifts and talents as a channel of blessing to heal the people of Rwanda.
The following week we signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nyamata District Hospital. The hospital is located in Bugesera District (similar to a county in the US), a district with population over 400,000. This is where our first Compassion Community Dental Clinic (CCDC) will be established, making our Dental Clinic the only one with a dentist on staff to serve the people of Bugesera District.
As I write this, the building of the clinic has begun! As you know, our vision for these clinics is to provide dental care for the remote and underserved communities of Rwanda. We are also partnering with local churches in sharing the Gospel and providing emotional and spiritual care for those in need.
As we progress, we will keep you abreast of our successes. Please pray with us, engage with us, and invest/partner with us to bring healing and hope to the people of Rwanda and beyond!
We thank you for the support you provide—it’s making all this possible!
Tom & Lita
We thank you for the support you provide—it’s making all this possible!
Tom & Lita
Mission Rwanda
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Rebuilding Rwanda
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On a warm July afternoon in 2013 following a 32-hour flight, Thomas Lee, a prominent Southern California dentist, and his wife Lita, first set foot in Kigali. Read more…
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In Rwanda, a country still recovering from the genocide of the Tutsi ethnic group in 1994, two Southern Californians aim to help the Rwandan people through dentistry. Read more…
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Rwanda COVID-19 Update
In our recent communications with our supporters, many have expressed concern about how this pandemic is affecting the people of Rwanda. In light of this concern, we would like to take this time to update our supporters.
Rwanda has not been spared from this crisis. As of April 19th, there has been 147 confirmed cases, 76 recoveries. According to the Ministry of Health, every province in Rwanda has had a COVID-19 case. No death has been registered since the first case was confirmed in the country over a month ago.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the medical team has done a fantastic job in their effort to contain the spread of the virus. On March 21st, Rwanda became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to order a total shutdown because of the coronavirus. The borders with adjacent nations are closed, the police and military strictly enforce the lockdown using roadblocks and drones, and arrest people who are out without good reason. We are relieved that the effort is working, as April 19 was the first time Rwanda had more recoveries (76) than active cases (71).
When we first learned about the lockdown, we immediately became very concerned about the vulnerable people in Rwanda. Many people here in the States live month to month; however, most Rwandans live day to day. In addition, most have no running water and need to go out to get water daily. We also learned that the lockdown has been extended by until April 30 to further contain the outbreak.
How will these people survive during the lockdown?
The government, realizing this harsh reality of so many who are suffering, has started a systematic process of food distribution to assist the vulnerable. However, it is not nearly enough.
His Hands on Africa has taken action in supporting our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. We are donating funds to our partners in Rwanda so that they can buy food and other necessities and distribute them to the people who are in desperate need.
Rwanda has not been spared from this crisis. As of April 19th, there has been 147 confirmed cases, 76 recoveries. According to the Ministry of Health, every province in Rwanda has had a COVID-19 case. No death has been registered since the first case was confirmed in the country over a month ago.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the medical team has done a fantastic job in their effort to contain the spread of the virus. On March 21st, Rwanda became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to order a total shutdown because of the coronavirus. The borders with adjacent nations are closed, the police and military strictly enforce the lockdown using roadblocks and drones, and arrest people who are out without good reason. We are relieved that the effort is working, as April 19 was the first time Rwanda had more recoveries (76) than active cases (71).
When we first learned about the lockdown, we immediately became very concerned about the vulnerable people in Rwanda. Many people here in the States live month to month; however, most Rwandans live day to day. In addition, most have no running water and need to go out to get water daily. We also learned that the lockdown has been extended by until April 30 to further contain the outbreak.
How will these people survive during the lockdown?
The government, realizing this harsh reality of so many who are suffering, has started a systematic process of food distribution to assist the vulnerable. However, it is not nearly enough.
His Hands on Africa has taken action in supporting our brothers and sisters in Rwanda. We are donating funds to our partners in Rwanda so that they can buy food and other necessities and distribute them to the people who are in desperate need.
HOPE Dental Center Global Architectural Contest
It is with great excitement that we share this new development for HOPE Dental Center and His Hands on Africa.
HHOA in collaboration with Archstorming, a non-profit organization based our of Spain that seeks to improve humanitarian issues through humanitarian architecture competitions, opened a global architectural competition to design HOPE Dental Center November last year. The competition drew 427 applicants from all around the world of which 234 teams submitted drawings for HOPE Dental Center. Top 50 finalists were submitted to the Jury, which consisted of 9 members from around the world, many with construction experience in Africa and some specifically in Rwanda.
HHOA’s aim was to use the building process of HOPE Dental Center to bless and build up the community and be a source of hope to the people we serve. We were inspired by a TED talk given by a famous architect Michael Murphy, who led the team that designed the Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda. He incorporated the Rwandan concept of “Ubudehe”- the long-standing Rwandan practice and culture of collective action and mutual support to solve problems within a community - to design and build the new hospital.
It is with great excitement that we share this new development for HOPE Dental Center and His Hands on Africa.
HHOA in collaboration with Archstorming, a non-profit organization based our of Spain that seeks to improve humanitarian issues through humanitarian architecture competitions, opened a global architectural competition to design HOPE Dental Center November last year. The competition drew 427 applicants from all around the world of which 234 teams submitted drawings for HOPE Dental Center. Top 50 finalists were submitted to the Jury, which consisted of 9 members from around the world, many with construction experience in Africa and some specifically in Rwanda.
HHOA’s aim was to use the building process of HOPE Dental Center to bless and build up the community and be a source of hope to the people we serve. We were inspired by a TED talk given by a famous architect Michael Murphy, who led the team that designed the Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda. He incorporated the Rwandan concept of “Ubudehe”- the long-standing Rwandan practice and culture of collective action and mutual support to solve problems within a community - to design and build the new hospital.
“When we had to excavate an enormous hill top and a bulldozer was expensive and hard to get to the site,
so they did it by hand using a method in Rwanda called Ubedehe, which means ‘community works for the community.’
Hundreds of people came and finished the job in half the time and half the cost.”
These four concepts were incorporated in the building process of the hospital and the community:
1. Hire locally
2. Source regionally
3. Train where you can
4. Invest in dignity
so they did it by hand using a method in Rwanda called Ubedehe, which means ‘community works for the community.’
Hundreds of people came and finished the job in half the time and half the cost.”
These four concepts were incorporated in the building process of the hospital and the community:
1. Hire locally
2. Source regionally
3. Train where you can
4. Invest in dignity
In addition, sustainability is a fundamental aim of the HOPE Dental Center. Again we incorporated it into the building design important elements such as renewable energy, heating and ventilation efficiency and sustainable water management strategies. It is with great pleasure that we announce the winner of the HOPE Dental Center global architectural competition.
First prize winner is a team based out of Dubai, UAE. The other winners and Honorable mentions are teams from Brazil, USA, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Spain, UK, Colombia, Slovenia and China. As you can see, the competition was truly a global event, the creativity of world came together to bring forth the future design of HOPE Dental Center.
Pray and partner with us to see HOPE Dental Center to completion and be a beacon of HOPE to the nation of Rwanda.
First prize winner is a team based out of Dubai, UAE. The other winners and Honorable mentions are teams from Brazil, USA, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, France, Spain, UK, Colombia, Slovenia and China. As you can see, the competition was truly a global event, the creativity of world came together to bring forth the future design of HOPE Dental Center.
Pray and partner with us to see HOPE Dental Center to completion and be a beacon of HOPE to the nation of Rwanda.
HOPE Dental Center Architectural Competition
With great anticipation, His Hands On Africa (HHOA) is collaborating with Archstorming in a global competition to build HOPE Dental Center, a state-of-the-art dental clinic and training institute in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The competition with bring hundreds of architects from all over the world to use their creativity, gifts and talents to design HOPE Dental Center which will bring hope and healing to the people of Rwanda. Please share this exciting new development with friends and family. If you have architect friends, please invite them to join this competition to make a difference and bring HOPE to the nation of Rwanda! Click here for information on the competition.
On September 30th, we held our 3rd annual Fundraising Gala at the Luskin Center, on the campus of UCLA.
The theme for this year’s Gala was “Mountain Moving Faith.” Over 270 supporters gathered to support us as we continue to bring healing and blessing to the nation of Rwanda. It was wonderful to enjoy an evening of laughter, insight and good company together. The evening was filled with inspirational moments as Mr. Angelo Francois sang “God who moves the mountains,” Pastor Eugene Cho encouraged us with his message on “Faith,” and Dr. Tom and Lita shared their faith journey of taking small steps of faith. We also celebrated God’s goodness as we heard the update on the progress that was made the past year.
We were blown away by the blessings we received that evening. The generous support, financial donations, and words of encouragement help us move forward as we make preparations for our departure to Rwanda. We are about to embark on a marathon into the unknown, but your love and friendship comfort us. We also launched the 1000 Hills Circle. With a monumental vision to transform an entire nation through HHOA, God spoke into Dr. Tom’s heart to seek the support of 1000 Kingdom partner who will support HHOA through prayer, financial support and other creative ways.
Thank you to those who have taken the time to sign up online or in person at the Fundraising Gala to be a part of The 1000 Hills Circle. It is a big commitment, and we will honor your gifts by committing ourselves to seeing this through. Please help HHOA meet the goal by sharing our story on Instagram, Facebook, or by hosting a Small Circle so that we can bring the HOPE Dental Center to fruition. Please contact Susan Lee (info@hishandsonafrica.org) if you are interested in being a host.
Unable to attend the Fundraising Gala? You can still support our work, either with a one-time gift, as a monthly donor, or in other creative ways. Those who can give at $100/month or more for three years will join our Founder’s Circle and your gift will be commemorated on the donor wall at the HOPE Dental Center. Any level of participation will make an impact. Rwanda needs all of us! Click here to join.
2019 Summer Mission
Theo
In addition to the Dental Clinic, as part of the campaign, we are funding the purchase of a bike for Theo, a veteran of the genocide who lives in a remote village. We initially met Theo during our 2018 summer mission to Rwanda, when he came to us with a fractured tooth. Dr. Tom attended to Theo’s dental needs, and Lita shared the gospel. He immediately received salvation and his life was transformed from that very moment.
During Dr. Tom and Lita’s visit to Rwanda in April, to participate and attend the 25th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the Lees met up with Theo. With some coaxing, it became apparent that Theo was struggling to make ends meet and in providing for his family. Theo is a cobbler and had been doing well when he first met Dr. Tom and Lita in 2018. However, as a veteran he was given free housing by the government, but ten miles outside of the city. The people of his town cannot afford to buy or repair shoes. So, he is unable to use his skills as a cobbler. In order to provide for his family, Theo grows vegetables in a small plot of land and finds day jobs occasionally, barely making ends meet. God impressed upon the Lees to find a means to thoughtfully and sustainably assist Theo.
Our Ride for Rwanda was the answer! It was only fitting that our Ride for Rwanda would be a means to bless Theo with a bike. It would address his daily commute needs (allowing him to return to his shoe shop to work as a cobbler) and provide a practical and sustainable means of earning a living for his family. God loves all of us individually and personally, and through this sharing of resources, Theo will tangibly experience God’s love. Thank you for making this possible for Theo!
In addition to the Dental Clinic, as part of the campaign, we are funding the purchase of a bike for Theo, a veteran of the genocide who lives in a remote village. We initially met Theo during our 2018 summer mission to Rwanda, when he came to us with a fractured tooth. Dr. Tom attended to Theo’s dental needs, and Lita shared the gospel. He immediately received salvation and his life was transformed from that very moment.
During Dr. Tom and Lita’s visit to Rwanda in April, to participate and attend the 25th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the Lees met up with Theo. With some coaxing, it became apparent that Theo was struggling to make ends meet and in providing for his family. Theo is a cobbler and had been doing well when he first met Dr. Tom and Lita in 2018. However, as a veteran he was given free housing by the government, but ten miles outside of the city. The people of his town cannot afford to buy or repair shoes. So, he is unable to use his skills as a cobbler. In order to provide for his family, Theo grows vegetables in a small plot of land and finds day jobs occasionally, barely making ends meet. God impressed upon the Lees to find a means to thoughtfully and sustainably assist Theo.
Our Ride for Rwanda was the answer! It was only fitting that our Ride for Rwanda would be a means to bless Theo with a bike. It would address his daily commute needs (allowing him to return to his shoe shop to work as a cobbler) and provide a practical and sustainable means of earning a living for his family. God loves all of us individually and personally, and through this sharing of resources, Theo will tangibly experience God’s love. Thank you for making this possible for Theo!
2019 Ride for Rwanda Bike Fundraiser
We’ve all been there – we have a toothache and pick up the phone to make an appointment with our family dentist. What we take as “normal” and every day living is something completely unattainable to most of the people of Rwanda. A toothache for a Rwandan child could simply mean living with a lifetime of pain, debilitating consequences, or it could even be life threatening.
On April 27th, His Hands On Africa team riders took on the challenge of participating in a 10, 25, 50, 75 mile mountain bike race at the Ride for Rwanda (rwandaride.com). Our goal was to raise $15,000 to fully equip the mobile clinic at our first Compassion Community Dental Clinic in Nyamata, Rwanda. The mobile Dental Clinic will provide free and subsidized dental care to the unreached people living in the villages surrounding Nyamata. This will be a monumental event for a country with only 48 dentists to serve a population of 12.69 million people (2019 United Nations estimates).
Thank you for partnering with us. With your overwhelming support we met our goals to fully equip the mobile clinic at our first Compassion Community Dental Clinic in Nyamata, Rwanda. We give all glory to God for His outpouring grace and provisions over our campaign and all of our team members were able to glorify God through their passion for riding.
2018 HHOA Fundraiser Gala
We were so blessed to host our Second Annual Gala for His Hands On Africa on October 27, 2018. This year, the theme for the night was COMPASSION, inspired by a moment in which we received God’s calling to long-term missions in Rwanda after treating a young mom and saving her life on our first trip five years ago.
We were honored to have over 300 friends and supporters attend the gala. The outpouring of your support was incredibly encouraging to all of at HHOA. The success of the evening in reaching our fundraising goal to build and equip our first Compassion Community Dental Clinic was possible with your partnership and generosity.
The first steps towards building the clinic have already begun and we look forward to updating you with great progress over the coming months. As we shared at the Gala, the vision for these clinics is to provide dental care for more remote and underserved communities of Rwanda, while also partnering with local churches to share the Gospel and provide emotional and spiritual care for the people.
Please pray with us, engage with us, and invest with us and partner with us - to transform and bring healing to the people of Rwanda and beyond!
2018 Summer Mission
On July 27th, our team will be leaving for our summer mission trip to Rwanda. Our team this year consists of Jin,(a board member of HHOA), Teresa (HHOA fundraising gala team leader), Dr. John Kim, a general dentist from Orange County, and Jan (Dr. Kim's wife).
We will be holding five days of dental clinic and vision clinic (doing basic exams and distributing reading glasses), visiting the dental school and meeting the dental students and going on home visits.
After the team returns, Lita and I will remain in Rwanda for few days. We will be quite busy scouting several locations for our first Compassion Community Dental Clinic that we are hoping to complete by next summer, meeting with government officials regarding the future site of HOPE Dental Center, interviewing architects, sharing our vision with the dental students, and the list goes on....
Please join us in prayer with the following prayer requests:
- God to equip Tom and Lita and God's divine connections at the Purpose Driven Church Conference June 26th-28th
- Mission preparation meetings- unity of the team, individually be filled with the Holy Spirit, direction and wisdom over each meeting
- God to intervene and in the final details of the land acquisition - ie price and conditions that will be favorable for HHOA. The land has been approved and the ministers of the government are now working out the details.
- To seek God's direction and follow His voice regarding Possible Community Clinic site. The board has approved the building of our first community dental clinic which will be named Compassion Community Dental Clinic. We will be visiting several locations for the clinic and the local churches to partner with during the summer mission trip.
- God’s continual leading in bringing kingdom partners, Board members, and volunteers needed for the work He has for HHOA.
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2018 Global Medical/Dental Mission Conference
We attended the Global Medical Mission Alliance (GMMA) 2018 Conference June 22-23, 2018 at Bethel Korean Church in Irvine, CA.
Dr. Lee spoke at one of the workshops. He presented an update on His Hands of Africa, the miracles that HHOA experiences as we walk step by step in obedience to God's calling.
We set up a booth to share more about HHOA with the attendees at the conference. We met many undergraduate, dental students and young health professionals that were passionate about global missions. We engaged with them, sharing about HHOA and our journey of obedience to His calling. We were so encouraged to see so many of our next generation who are so in love with God and has a heart to be used by Him to bless the nations! A big "Thank You" to out team of volunteers, Susan Lee, You K Hoang and Young Joo Lee for your help during the conference.
2018 Bike to Bring HOPE to Rwanda
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Great job, team HHOA!
Early morning on April 28th, our team took on the challenge of a grueling 50 miles race to support HHOA and bring awareness to our mission work in Rwanda. We also met our goal of raising $4,000 through their effort!
Thank you Alan, Tyler and Page, you guys are awesome! And THANK YOU for all your generous donations! We are so grateful for all of you who are running this race with us.
Early morning on April 28th, our team took on the challenge of a grueling 50 miles race to support HHOA and bring awareness to our mission work in Rwanda. We also met our goal of raising $4,000 through their effort!
Thank you Alan, Tyler and Page, you guys are awesome! And THANK YOU for all your generous donations! We are so grateful for all of you who are running this race with us.
We want to share our interview with Alan Wang, who rode 50 miles in the Ride for Rwanda race with Tyler Edwards and Page Villaluna, and helped raise $4,000 for HHOA. Thank you, Alan!
𝟏. 𝐈 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 - 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞?
There were two moments I recall. The weather was in the 40's at the start of the ride, and I was shivering harder than I ever have in my life and didn't think I could go on. But, I went on, and the exertion along with the sun eventually warmed me up. The second point was about 5 miles into the ride. I felt pretty tired already and thought about the fact that I still had 90% more to go! Slowly, 90% became 50%, and then 40% and so on until I was finally at the finish line.
𝟐. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 / 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞?
The biggest surprise to me was the incredible amount of support I received on this ride, not only in the donations to HHOA but also the emotional support! I received a lot of encouragement from numerous people, which helped me overcome doubts about my ability to complete such a long ride. I was also surprised by some people who donated, as I didn't really think they would. Finally, I was also pleasantly surprised when I learned that the daughter of one of my co-workers is going on a mission trip to Rwanda this year. I would not have known that about him and his family had I not reached out about supporting this ride!
𝟑. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐇𝐎𝐀 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐇𝐎𝐀?
I wanted to support HHOA for many reasons. First, I know that HHOA is performing a greatly needed service for the people in Rwanda and growing God's Kingdom while they do that. Second, I know how much Tom and Lita love the Lord and therefore trust that they will make good use of the funds raised. Lastly, my wife, Caroline, does a lot of volunteer work for HHOA, so this is also indirectly supporting her work with HHOA.
𝟒. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐇𝐎𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐬. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Getting involved is not necessarily a life-long commitment, so if there is any hesitation, you should get involved first. See how it goes and then reassess as needed. Of course, when things align so perfectly that you know you need to do it, you shouldn't hesitate! I initially did hesitate when Tom asked me, as it was only a few weeks before the ride, and I wasn't mentally prepared to take on such a challenge. But, as our pastor often says, when God calls on you to do something, He will prepare you for it. And He did! You might also be surprised by how much fun you have also.
𝟏. 𝐈 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 - 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞?
There were two moments I recall. The weather was in the 40's at the start of the ride, and I was shivering harder than I ever have in my life and didn't think I could go on. But, I went on, and the exertion along with the sun eventually warmed me up. The second point was about 5 miles into the ride. I felt pretty tired already and thought about the fact that I still had 90% more to go! Slowly, 90% became 50%, and then 40% and so on until I was finally at the finish line.
𝟐. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 / 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞?
The biggest surprise to me was the incredible amount of support I received on this ride, not only in the donations to HHOA but also the emotional support! I received a lot of encouragement from numerous people, which helped me overcome doubts about my ability to complete such a long ride. I was also surprised by some people who donated, as I didn't really think they would. Finally, I was also pleasantly surprised when I learned that the daughter of one of my co-workers is going on a mission trip to Rwanda this year. I would not have known that about him and his family had I not reached out about supporting this ride!
𝟑. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐇𝐎𝐀 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐇𝐎𝐀?
I wanted to support HHOA for many reasons. First, I know that HHOA is performing a greatly needed service for the people in Rwanda and growing God's Kingdom while they do that. Second, I know how much Tom and Lita love the Lord and therefore trust that they will make good use of the funds raised. Lastly, my wife, Caroline, does a lot of volunteer work for HHOA, so this is also indirectly supporting her work with HHOA.
𝟒. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐇𝐎𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐬. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠?
Getting involved is not necessarily a life-long commitment, so if there is any hesitation, you should get involved first. See how it goes and then reassess as needed. Of course, when things align so perfectly that you know you need to do it, you shouldn't hesitate! I initially did hesitate when Tom asked me, as it was only a few weeks before the ride, and I wasn't mentally prepared to take on such a challenge. But, as our pastor often says, when God calls on you to do something, He will prepare you for it. And He did! You might also be surprised by how much fun you have also.
2018 Women's Day Celebration
On March 25th, 2018, the Rwandan community, Saddleback Church community and HHOA all gathered to celebrate Women’s Day!
Highlights include:
▪️ Pastor Rick Warren speaking about the church’s transformative mission work the past 15 years
▪️Dr. Beth Mayerowitz and Mr. Lawrence Manzi (who spoke on behalf of Ambassador Mukantabana) encouraging and blessing women and the Rwandan community
▪️Lita sharing from her heart on God’s calling for her life to empower women and care for the children of Rwanda
▪️Masamba Intore and the Rwandan Community of Southern California providing amazing entertainment
We met and spoke with many people afterwards who were moved by Lita’s testimony and inspired to help in our mission to bring healing and blessing to the people of Rwanda.
Thank you to all of our HHOA friends and family who made the two hour drive to come and support us in person, and also to those who prayed and shared their encouragement with us from afar! We love each and every one of you. Thank you Saddleback Church and the Rwandan Community of Southern California for having us and God for this amazing opportunity!
HHOA Inaugural Fundraiser Gala
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On November 4th, 2017, we held our inaugural fundraiser gala at the Luskin Conference Center on the UCLA campus. With over 300 friends and supporters of HHOA, the festive gala was a huge success.
All those who attended heard the inspirational testimony of Jean Claude Rwagasore, the director of Best Family Rwanda and were uplifted by the message of HOPE in Rwanda from Dr. Thomas Lee, the co-founder of His Hands on Africa. There were also awesome entertainment by Mr. Tavi Jinariu, the acapella group - Underscore, and an African dance group. The funds raised will be used to build the HOPE Dental Center, the foundation of HHOA's ministry in Rwanda. BIG THANK YOU to all who attended. Look forward to seeing all of you back for this year's fundraiser event! |
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