2010 – A year of impact in Rwanda!

Greetings to those involved with Our Response!  For the last half of 2009, many of us were incredibly busy spreading the word about Our Response, travelling to Rwanda, or hosting our community-wide kick-off event.  Therefore, the past few weeks have been an opportunity for us to enjoy the holidays and prepare ourselves for launching our 2010 efforts.  This note is to give you a status update, invite you to our next brainstorming meeting, and encourage you to stay involved in the movement.

 

As many of you know, one of the goals we set was for 100 children sponsored by the end of 2010.  I’m thrilled to announce that we formally ended 2009 with 74 children sponsored – well ahead of our goal pace!  We have also seen an additional 3 children sponsored in 2010 bringing us to 77 children in Kivuruga, Rwanda connected to sponsors.  I want to encourage those of you who have sponsored children to not only continue your financial commitment, but write your sponsored children and build relationship with them.  This relationship has a tremendous impact on not only the lives of your child and their family, but also on you as you share your time in this way. 

 

You are invited (and I hope a ton of you show up) to our next open meeting of Our Response on Saturday, February 13th from 4-6pm.  The location is yet to be determined.  We will discuss the status of Our Response and then go into a brainstorming session to help give input into how we will grow the movement in 2010.  As we discuss what can be done, we will talk about how these efforts will be accomplished and there will be opportunities for everyone who desires to take on a role (either in leadership or support).  A movement is only as strong as the depth and breadth of involvement.  I know those of us on the trip could never have seen the results we have seen without so many of you stepping up and helping out in so many ways.  The only way we will see all of our goals achieved is by spreading our leadership and responsibilities… this is not a “Steve” movement or a “Steve/Bob/Mark/Mark” movement… this is “Our” response – a movement of East Central Minnesota.  Even if you are unable to help at this time, please come and provide your input – I am a strong believer that the best decisions are made when there is the most input from the most different perspectives.  We need your thoughts and passion!

 

A note about finances.  We ended 2009 right about even, having seen contributions sufficient to cover all costs associated with the trip. An additional tremendous financial blessing was just poured our on Our Response as we received a check for $1,300 from New Hope Community Church of Cambridge which identified Our Response as one of the recipients of their special Christmas Eve offering.  Each year New Hope takes a special offering and distributes it to three non-profits that are aligned with their core values which includes caring for those in our world who are in great need.  A special thanks to New Hope for this great gift which sets us up well as we go into 2010!  Further, as many of you know, administrative costs for Our Response have been funded by an anonymous donor allowing 100% of received funds to go directly to the funding efforts in Kivuruga, building relationships with those in Kivuruga, or spreading the word about Our Response to bring in more financial resource.

 

For those of you not aware, there is a Facebook group called Our Response which is a great way to stay current with what is happening.  You can also check our our blog at ourresponse.wordpress.com.  We will be making an effort to communicate updates in a variey of ways (Facebook, email, and paper mail) to keep you up-to-date.  If you are receiving this update via U.S. Mail and you have an email address, please provide that so we can reduce all expenses.

 

So, in closing, here is what we are asking:

1) Try to attend the Our Response meeting on Feb 13 from 4-6pm (location TBD)

2) RSVP by email or Facebook if you will be attending

3) If you can’t attend, email me your ideas for how we can spread the word and increase sponsorships & financial support

4) Let me know any update to your email address (especially if you have email and are currently receiving updates by U.S. Mail)

5) Tell others – forward the email, invite to the Facebook group, or give me contact information

 

Thanks so much!  I’m excited to join you in this effort to transform both East Central Minnesota and Kivuruga, Rwanda.

 

Steve Fredlund, Director of Our Response

stevefredlund@gmail.com (please note email change)

Cell: 651.587.5435 — Home: 651.674.8507