When Hans was in Rwanda last September, before he had even come home, he called to tell me about the 98 girls who are walking from their refugee camp to school every single day—an 8 km walk each way. They faced the elements with no protection. Burning hot sun, pouring rain, insect and animals, etc. Worse than that, however, was that they faced victimization along the desolate roadways.
As soon as he told me that, I know God was wanting us to somehow, some way, change the future for these girls. A couple weeks later I got a phone call that gave me more understanding into God’s plan. I was invited to speak at the Oregon Conference Women’s Retreat in late October. The organizers had been praying for a ministry to feature that focused on women’s education.
These 98 girls were to be our focus at the women’s retreat because they not only know the importance of obtaining an education, but they are making a sacrifice for this priority in their life. Despite the hardships, they still walk to school. They still continue even after facing danger every day. But they are a part of our global Adventist church family, and it is time we stand up for them!
For these special girls I am incredibly happy to say that ALL 98 have been given the opportunity to study in a safe Adventist boarding school in Rwanda. God is good!
Nearly every sponsorship of those 98 girls came as a result of that Oregon Conference Women’s Retreat. A big Thank You to these generous women.
