Christian HopeInternational

To 30th june2018

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to yourown interests but each of you to the interests of the others.5 In your relationships with one another, have the samemindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2: 3-5

Christian Hope International seeks to bring the true hope only found in Jesus Christalong with practical support to those in need in Africa and, through links with other

Christian charities, to the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The example of Jesus andhis teaching are the motivation for our work.Working in partnership with the Christian Community in the ‘Developing World’ we seekto glorify God by providing practical aid, resourcing community projects and enablingchildren to receive a good education through child sponsorship.

Life is about relationships, at work, at home, in our churches andgroups. Good relationships are built through life’s ups and downs,

requiring trust and mutual respect. Some will last a lifetime, others may beshort lived, but each one has an impact in our lives.Since 1994 CHI has worked through the local church in Rwanda and laterin Uganda building strong relationships with our partners overseas. Someof those we work with today have been partnering with us from the start.The work of CHI gives our partners a platform to spread the Gospel, in thecommunities they serve and bring individuals there into a relationship withChrist. You will see evidence of strengthened communities as you readthrough this magazine.None of this happens by accident. God calls us into a relationship withHim and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are told to put the needsof others first.

We can all make an impactin the life of someone lessfortunate by putting theirneeds before our own.

Justimagine

what couldbe achieved ifwe all lived bythat passage!!

Charity chatAt our AGM in November it was announced that Paul

would be stepping down from his role as Director ofOperations as he looks to reduce his hours (he isn’t gettingany younger!!!). Carmen has now taken over as Managing Director.In reality we work as a team and we do not anticipate any significantchanges in the operations of the charity.

New data protection laws will require NEW SUPPORTERS to ‘opt in’ beforewe can add them to our data base. New or exisiting supporters please

be assured your data is held securely and we will NEVER pass on yourinformation to a third party. If you wish to be removed from our data baseplease let us know. You will not then receive your copy of our magazine.

DATA PROTECTION

Ian, Paul and Carmen are off on their travels again, thistime to visit the projects in Rwanda. We will leave on26th February returning on 20th March. During thistime the office will be manned by volunteers and may

close earlier than usual. Please be patient if yourenquiries cannot be dealt with immediately.

Seeing the work first hand and strengthening relationships with ourpartners overseas is vital to ensure effective planning and implementationof the work of CHI. You will be able to follow our trip via the website andwe ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel.

RWANDA visit

CHI are proud to announce they have masteredtechnology.... well..... maybe not!!! But TEXT GIVING isnow a reality.

To donate by mobile phone simply text ICAN41plus the amount you wish to donate (any amountfrom £1 to £5 or £10) to 70070. You will receive a thank you t e x tand a further text giving you the option to Gift Aid your donation. Thesum donated will be added to your phone bill.

This service is offered through ‘Just Giving’ and does not cost you orthe charity a penny in fees. Why not try it today?

70070ICAN41£3

RWANDA ItineraryDate Project

Feb 26th 6.30am Depart Heathrow -  Arrive Kigali, Rwanda 7.10pm

27th Planning and meeting with Archbishop Onesphore andJosephine.

28th - Mar 1st Gasabo Diocese - meetings / visit projects2nd - 5th Travel to Shyogwe. Meetings / visit projects / church service

6th Visit Gikonko School then travel to Butare7th - 8th Butare Diocese - meetings / visit projects

am Butare Diocese - meetings / projects - pm travel to Kigemevisit to projects

10th Kigeme Diocese - meetings / visit projects11th  Church service Butare and travel to Kigali

12th - 14th Travel to Kibungo  meetings / visit projects15th - 16th Travel to Byumba Diocese / meetings / visit projects

17th am Byumba Diocese - meetings / visits - pm Travel to Kigali18th  Kigali church service19th 8.15pm Depart Kigali airport20th Arrive UK 7.40 am

For those who wish to followour travels and do not have

internet access, this is wherewe will be and when.Please keep us in yourprayers for safety as wetravel, for strengthenedrelationships with ourpartners and forencouraging progress tobe seen at the projects.Please also pray forstamina to keep usgoing during thethree weeks we areaway.We will post a blog onour website as we go.

9th

Kibungo

Gasabo

Butare

Byumba

Kigeme

Shyogwe

“….the clothing was very useful. It was so qualitative, nice andcolourful. Thank you from the heart for your kindness and care.

May God bless you…..”

TEXT GIVING : ICAN41 (£1-5 OR £10) TO 70070

It was in the ‘Stitch of Time’ that wereceived feedback from Mission

Without Borders on the distribution ofgarments and blankets in EasternEurope during 2017. In their report wewere told;

“providing a blanket can allow a child to perform betterin school, or lessen the pain for an elderly person’

and from an orphanage in Moldova the children said;

We have continued to partner with Samaras Aid by providing storageand loading assistance for emergency relief going to relieve the plight

of refugees in Syria. Some of the handicraft of ourknitters has been included in these consignments.

Stitch in time

Pictures courtesy of

Be assured, therefore, that children, the elderly andfamilies are blessed, not only by the practical

benefit of keeping warm, but because each item isa declaration of love through the sacrificial giving oftime, skills and energy to help those in need.

If you are part of a knitting group we would love tohear about you and, perhaps, feature your group in our

publications. Just send us an email with some photographs of the groupwith your handiwork. We hope that this might encourage others to getinvolved but we can’t promise an appearance in the magazine.

Picture courtesy of

Caring & sharingWe were delighted to have the opportunity to visit Chadwell Heath

Baptist Church and speak to the youngpeople about tackling Malaria.Annabelle was a willing victim for our effortsat protection but felt mosquito nets wereprobably a better option!!!Leader Caroline Grubb told us:

THANK YOU CHADWELL HEATH BAPTISTJUNIOR CHURCH

“The children enjoyed your talk and had funwith dressing up, learning about the plight

families face in Africa with the mosquitos. Theshocking statistics touched them and they

wanted to be part of sharing Jesus love. Thechildren enjoyed the work sheets and asking

questions and were keen to send mozzy nets,raising funds from their pocket money.

God bless their efforts”

THANK YOU to all our representatives who promoted our ChristmasCards and Calendars in their churches and groups. 2017 was the mostsuccessful year to date for this initiative with over 150 Packs of cards andapprox 110 Calendar orders received.

who volunteered to help usdispatch our Nov. magazine

as part of their World ChallengeBadge. We were delighted to accepttheir help. After all, if you take 1000envelopes, a corresponding numberof magazines and 2000 flyers, addaround 15 teenagers..........what canpossibly go wrong!!!!!Thank you to everyone who tookpart. The envelopes have never beenfilled so quickly.

Education - changing livesCan you imagine your child being denied an education

simply because you cannot afford to provide paperand pens?

This is the reality for many children in Africa. When providingeven one meal a day is a challenge, an education is a luxury.

The church run schools, with which we partner, try notto turn anyone away, but their resources are limited.Supplying those in most need with the basic equipment

required to attend school costs just £5 per pack and enables them toreceive a Christian education. Future prospects improve and lives arechanged, both practically and, we pray, for eternity, as these childrenare encouraged in their faith and hopefully come to have a realrelationship with Christ Jesus.If YOU would like to make this difference in the lifeof a child in need, and have some fun with your friendsand family, then contact us for a FREE fundraisingpack. Your poster, puzzle leaflet and stickers are suitable for all.Alternatively donate via our website, by phone or by cheque payable toChristian Hope International.

2018 focus

THANK YOU£5 = 1 ANSWERED PRAYER

Kaleere parish projectIt is now eighteen months since the start of this project assisting

the elderly in Kaleere and, despite a few challenges along the way,progress is being seen.

Following the success of thesavings and loan scheme for

the elderly reported in our lastmagazine many of the widercommunity were keen to join.Younger people are more able toutilise the loans to start smallbusinesses, helping them tobecome self-sufficient and a moreinclusive scheme will help improverelationships within thecommunity.For this to be effectively achievedhowever, funds needed to be madeavailable. We were delighted tomake this possible.

Handing over savings

“Younger neighbours are being encouraged to assist the elderlytend their crops and are rewarded with quantities of manure to

improve their own soil. These gardens have encouragedfriendships, improving between neighbours.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONSWHICH MAKE ALLTHIS POSSIBLE

Livestock are breedingCrops are being harvested

Families are beginning to provide for themselves

So how is this affecting relationships within the community?We are told:

A new Loan4Hope Project has been born

There are still many challenges facing this community and we willcontinue to develop our relationship with them.

Just prior to Christmas CanonEriab told us how the elderly

did not have even a blanket tocover them at night. How couldwe ignore their plight? PraiseGod that funds were availableand almost 70 elderly folkreceived a blanket this Christmas.

ICAN41 (£1-5 OR £10)TO 70070TEXT GIVING

Providing uniforms and schoolmaterials for the orphans has

enhanced their self esteem andimproved academic performance.The image of the school hasimproved and enrolment isincreasing.

This village does not have a school building but holds classes inthe church, in a bamboo mat structure and in the shade of a tree.

Encouraged by their relationship with CHI and the interventionmade possible by YOUR donations, the community are comingtogether to begin making bricks to construct a school building.

Pupils outside their classroom

COULD WE HELP SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE?

"This is my first bible in life,for sure Goddoesn't forget His people,finally at 78years I have received the word of life"

Funds were also provided for 100 bibles forthe community.David Bagiritima aged 78 said:

James receiving his gift

sponsorship

Receiving rice & sugar

On behalf of Gahima Agape students of CHI wereally appreciate your continuing contributionto us. We thank you.

For your fully lovely action you did for us ofgiving us Christmas party it had physically

showed us that you don’t stop thinkingabout us. We are so thankful.

Many of us lacked how to thank you andelected me as their representative to informyou that God is the only witness for us.

We are asking for blessings from God to youand we know our wishes is under God’s will.

James representative for Gahima Agape

Students

Each year funds are sent to ourprojects to hold a Christmas

party for the sponsored children. How they celebrate and the gifts theyreceive varies from project to project, but a time of worship, sharing a mealand presentation of gifts to those who have performed well in school is themain format of each event. This is how they celebrated in 2017

kibungo

GASABO

In Gasabo each child sponsored during the year, alsoreceives a mattress and a bowl.

BYUMBA Here the familieschose to receive a bucket tokeep clean water for the familyalong with vegetable seeds toimprove nutrition.

As Canon Gaster, who has overseen this projectfor the last four years, has been promoted to Dean of Kako Cathedral, avery special celebration was held for the children to say farewell to a Pastorwith whom they shared a very special relationship.We congratulate CanonGaster on his promotionand thank him for hispartnership over the years.We have enjoyed awonderful relationshipwith him which we hopewill continue as he takesup his new position.

kijjabwemi

Through correspondence and photos, sent and received, sponsorscan build with their sponsored children. Some last

for many years, others just a short time but each one lets a childknow they are valued and gives them the opportunity to come into a

with Christ Jesus. Potentially changing a life for eternity.

Please contact us TODAY if you will donate £15 per month to build aand make a child feel valued.

Mariam, ATINAH & IMRAN

As Mariam’s relationship with Atinah and Imran develops she tells usof the joys and challenges as they settle into their new home. We were

moved by her revelation of how her life changed on the death of herhusband. At a time when in the west, where we have plenty, andrelationships with friends and family would likely be strengthened, Mariambecame a burden, an outcast in society. Today, thanks to your supportMariam is able to build new relationships within her community.Pastor Patrick told us that tears of joy rendered Mariam unable to write soshe told her story to him. This is what she said:

Mariam

I cannot forget the 11th July 2017, when Godrevealed Himself to me with a miracle of anew home without a single coin or humanfavour!Since I lost my husband I lost all my joy,relatives, friends and human dignity.Everyone looked at me as a burden and anoutcast.Today, even if I miss a meal I feel satisfiedand restored. Praise be to God.It has not been easy since we entered here

but Rev. Patrick and the Christians atKimwanyi have stood with us. We have started harvesting our owncrops. Surely we rejoice for God’s mercy. (A moment of silence intears!)I can weave baskets and have started because materials are freeand available. We can also keep livestock (pigs or hens) but wedon’t have a house for them yet.Many blessings to whoever has supported us.

This is the latest update on how YOUR donations have helpedMariam and the abandoned children she took in despite being

barely able to support herself.

Mariam still faces health and emotional challenges with Atinah &Imran but with support this family now has hope for the future.

TEXT GIVING ICAN41 £1-5 OR £10 TO 70070

YOUR donations ARE changing livesTHANK YOU

This rural parish in Shyogwe, Rwanda faces many challenges:

Twenty families were given basic training infood production, animal rearing and

environmental protection.Each family hasreceived a goat whichwill provide manure toimprove the soil, milkto improve nutritionand young can be soldto provide an income.Seeds and gardentools have also beenprovided.

Gisanga parish projectSmall, infertile plots of land

Lack of safe water sourcesPoor health due to malnutrition, worms and malaria

Lack of skills within the community

Repairs to the school teacher’s houseFunding for three water tanks to

provide safe waterTwenty thousand seedlings

for agro forestry to improve the soil.

T here is a primary school at Gisanga attended by some 800 pupilsbut text books are scarce. Dictionaries and other books have

been provided.

Initiatives to benefit the communityas a whole have included:

ICAN41 £1-5 OR £10 TO 70070TEXT GIVING

“we were trained and given moreknowledge about increasing foodproduction and we share this knowledgewith our neighbours, we were given a goatand it is producing manure which we areusing in our farming activities. When thegoat will give birth we will share with ourneighbours what is a living sign ofChristian love. The Bible given to us is used to learn the Wordof God and we are changing as we try to live according to what we readin the Word. I feel a sense of satisfaction as I look forwards to theimprovement of my living conditions together with my family. In case myincome is increased I will be able to provide for my family and cover theirmedical insurance and food. I am thankful to the Diocese of Shyogweand to Christian Hope International for their moral and financial support”

One recipient, Leonard Ntuyenabo said:

“Vulnerable families selected are now sharing the Word of Godand their hopes are being restored as they see something

transformative happening in their lives.”

“We praise God for the opportunity He has given us to serve GisangaCommunity in order to help vulnerable families to improve their living

conditions and also to strengthen their relationship with Jesus throughimproved food production and Bible study. The project is still in progressbut some of its results are tangible. We thank CHI and its supporters for

their generosity. Your labours are not in vain”

Pastor Jean Pierre tells us:

Contact detailsHope House, The Elms EstateChurch Road, Harold WoodRomford, RM3 0JUUnited KingdomOffice no: 01708 377795

Carmen Denham: accounts@christianhope.org.uk

Paul Guyver: info@christianhope.org.uk

Sponsorship: sponsorship@christianhope.org.uk

Web site: www.christianhope.org.uk

Email addresses

Christian Hope Internationalis a member of the

Evangelical Alliance andGlobal Hand.

We are signatories to theRed Cross Code of

Conduct.

CHI MagazineThe Magazine is published 3 times a year and is also available “on-line”. It is sent freeof charge to supporters and is published in accordance with our basis of faith. Articlesin the magazine may represent the ideas of the author and may not necessarily bethose of the charity.Articles from this magazine are available for use in your church literature, but pleaselet us know before using them.

Registered charity1061526Patron: Rt.Rev.Stephen Cottrell Bishop of Chelmsford

Managing Director Carmen DenhamDirector Paul GuyverAccounts Kevin Denham

Office Volunteers:Stitches of Hope Dorothy Bowen Trish NelsonRay of Hope Eileen & Trevor Anderson Eileen KnowlesOffice support Ian & Carol Phillips Audrey Vinten

Trustees: Chairman Ian Phillips Treasurer Tony Gibbs Val Dobson John Harris Trish Nelson Keith Root Steve Wheeler

WHO’S WHO?

Christian HopeChr is t ian Wor ldw ide A id

In ternat ional

IN 2017 YOUR BOXES RAISED£1381 THANK YOU

Please contact the office if you require a Loose Change Appeal box.