Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Guns & Machetes vs. Soccer balls


I mentioned in an earlier post that Kids Across Africa Camps (KAAC) would start a camp in Rwanda. I just wanted to get back to you with some of the details. I interviewed Jonathan Nimrod, the KAAC President briefly and I while I've been in meetings about this new endeavor for well over a year I hadn't had this perspective. It's compelling.

As you may know Rwanda is recovering from years of some of the worst civil strife and genocide in the history of mankind. The government of Rwanda desires healing for the country and wants to invest in the youth, providing them with opportunities for leadership and moral training. Jonathan, who himself experienced loss from war and genocide growing up in Africa, asks the question, "When you take away the guns and machetes from the children of Rwanda what do you replace it with?" The answer on July 23 near Kagali, Rwanda will be, soccer balls! A team will go there from the US and even now some have arrived for preliminary work.

Jonathan says that the Rwandan government welcomes the new Kamp. He indicated that things are progressing inside the country with the purchase of the land. KAAC will prayerfully break ground on the facility in August of this year. Jonathan says that the greatest need is for prayer partners that can lift up the fund raising and the many details that need to be done before that can happen.

You'll notice in the photo of the KAAC property in Rwanda that it is in a beautiful lake setting. If you look close you can see the partially cleared and shaped area in the middle of the peninsula. That was done by a previous owner and will be the start of the main area of the camp.

There are many more details but I just haven't had time to fact check them. Do you want to hear more about this project?

I bet I could get Jonathan or someone from Kids Across America to guest post about it. Anyone out there closer to the project want to give my readers an update?

Facebook friends make your comments in the original post at Inside Kanakuk.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

The soccer camp was crazy amazing! Thanks to the kamp daddy/son teams, the Newmans, Mr. Brad Musso, the Rwandan staff, and those I failed to mention (sorry)~ KAAC has a face with the name in Rwanda. That face has a smile, a kick and it is bright! Thanks to those who were praying for those that traveled and the kids that attended. God truly is doing a great work in Rwanda.

Unknown said...

Jonathan, Can't wait to catch up my brother and hear about the excitement in you and Becca's lives. I hear you are doing wonderful things. Your milk toast brother in Christ, Ron