I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills-A HOPEful Experience in Rwanda

The Rolling Hills of Rwanda….

Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

As we traveled through the rolling hills in Rwanda this past week I couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of “hills” within this verse. I pictured the Psalmist perhaps in a region much like Rwanda that had hills like this photo which inspired his songwriting. One thing for certain, creation speaks of God’s glory. How could you not marvel and be in awe of Him, the one who made heaven and earth and these rolling hills? The past week, I met people who live out this truth as they work on the hills to provide for their families and sing worship to the one who provides our needs.

I along with five other storytellers traveled to these hills with an assignment to learn about the work of HOPE International (Rwanda) and to share the stories of those we met with our networks and communities. I am thankful and appreciative of the prayers, messages, and encouragement sent as we have shared our journey.

From L to R: Jessica Steddam (Photographer), Sharon Hodde Miller, Trillia Newbell, Sarah Ann Schultz (HOPE International), Karen Ellis, Dorena Williamson, and Jennifer Tyler

HOPE is a Christian faith-based nonprofit organization based in Lancaster, PA which focuses on alleviating physical and spiritual poverty through Christ-centered microenterprise development. One way this is done is by educating people on how to start savings groups in their community. These savings groups were comprised of groups of self-selected individuals who saved together on a weekly basis. In some cases, they are able to take small loans from those savings. These groups provided the members with the opportunity to save frequently in small amounts.

Aline, a visionary who started a savings group that paid for health insurance for those in the group and blessed other people in the community as well!

One of the most beautiful aspects of these savings groups was seeing the transformation within the lives of the participants.  Like when we heard the testimony of Aline at a single mom’s savings group celebration. The community and the local church rallied behind a group of single mom’s who decided to start a savings group. Aline spoke with such power and grace as she shared her story having started a savings group in her village 11 months prior. Since that time, she has been able to provide for her family, and start paying for health insurance for other people in her community!!! I am in complete awe of the love and support women like Aline have for each other.

Agnes showing us the things she made as an entrepreneur.

I will never forget Agnes. A 67-year-old woman who is a part of a savings trust group facilitated by HOPE’s micro-finance bank, Urwego. She makes the most beautiful jewelry, placemats, bags, and more. From her business, she has been able to put 8 children through school. The people we met last week are all experiencing transformation economically, spiritually, and socially. Some of the women within the groups were widows, who now had a community from simply coming to the savings group meetings. Some were not Believers and due to attending the meetings, they heard the gospel and Christ transformed their lives because they began to trust in Him. I was deeply impacted by the resilience and kindness of every person we met while visiting the savings groups and learning their stories. Rwanda is no stranger to devastation as we remember the 1994 genocide that took place. Many of the people we met were refugees that escaped Rwanda and returned after the genocide. Some had lost their entire families and friends. However, within the savings groups, they weren’t split up by experiences or tribes. They were all simply Rwandans, who shared in resources, supported one another without any partiality or unforgiveness. With each group, we visited there was also the support of the local church, government, and community which deeply impacted me. How much further would we all be with that type of support? This is truly the “it takes a village” proverb in action. HOPE International is an organization that is not giving a handout but a Leg Up! By supporting them, I’ve learned that we support the training and programs they have that help others to help themselves. I met people who were once living in poverty and learned of their stories and journey to entrepreneurship.

Consolee had the sweetest spirit. And is a part of a savings group called, “Let’s Eat Well” that focuses on providing healthy food for their families.

I met women who did not have healthy food for their families, who now have the ability to provide healthy meals daily, like Consolee pictured here. She is a widow who also benefits from the sisterhood and community that comes with being a part of a savings group.

I met people who did not have health insurance, who now have insurance and pay it forward by providing insurance for others in the community. I met people who didn’t know the Lord, who now look to Him, tell others about Him, and honor Him in all that they do. I met Rwandans working together in unity with a beautiful HOPE for the future.

An image of the “Let’s Eat Well” savings group engaging in the 5 W’s that every HOPE Savings group does in their meetings: Welcome, Worship, Word, Work, and Wrap Up

One of the savings group members receiving everyone’s weekly contribution and inputing the info into a ledger.

Our #2019InvestingInDreams trip was truly transformational and spurred each storyteller into action. There were tears, laughter, encouragement and discussion on how we can share more of what the Lord is doing in Rwanda through HOPE International. For now, we continue to invest in the dreams of others by sharing the stories of what God is doing in Rwanda and other countries through HOPE. Click here to learn more about HOPE’s holistic approach to poverty alleviation. When you click on the link, be sure to scroll down and get the free e-book, “Created to Flourish” to receive a deeper understanding of how lives are being transformed around the world. Share with your networks and churches. Lastly, consider adding HOPE to your end of the year giving. Having spent time in the offices and see how donations are used firsthand you can trust that this is a viable organization to partner with.