NEWSLETTER • QUARTER 3, 2019
celebrating an incredible summer in AFRICA Summer missions teams make huge impact We hosted four back-to-back church missions teams over the summer in Rwanda, from June through July; two teams from Life Church (Alabama), one team from United Church (Tennessee), and one team from Destiny Church (Tennessee). Through their time in Rwanda, we were able to extend our reach to impact over 13,000 students in the public schools of Rwanda, as well as the men, women, and children in the surrounding villages and refugee camps. We want to thank each church that sent teams for helping to bring hope, compassion, and education to more people than ever before in the history of this organization.
New School Uniforms means children attend school Many children in Africa do not have means to an education because they lack some of the basic necessities needed to go to school. To some, it’s school fees, books, school supplies, while for some, it’s truly just a lack of the required school uniform they are unable to afford. Learning that so many children were not attending school because they lacked this uniform, we set a goal to help 1,000 children with their school uniform needs. Many of you responded with pledges and donations, however, we were still well short of our goal with one week left to our deadline. That’s when Victory Family Church in Norman, Oklahoma stepped in with a generous donation that pushed us past our original goal and up to 1,040 uniforms to give away. We were able to distribute all 1,040 this summer to children who are now able to attend school. Thank you to all that gave and to Pastor Adam Starling and Victory Family Church for helping us provide an avenue for education in Rwanda. Photo by Brice Smith
13,000 students receive HOPE THROUGH ‘BOOK OF HOPE’ Our summer teams delivered and distributed 13,000 copies of the Book of Hope Bible this summer, thanks to our partners at OneHope. The Book of Hope is a Scripture book designed to engage and speak to the heartfelt needs of children and youth within various cultures, clearly showing God’s redemptive plan through Christ’s life, death and resurrection and is in more than 148 languages, with a variety of speciallytargeted editions for different age groups, cultures and circumstances.
clothing, health and hygiene products bring hope to refugee pastors Over this past summer, our teams were able to provide and distribute many health and hygiene care packages, as well as professional clothing items to many of the church leaders currently seeking refuge in the refugee camps. United Church in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee brought hundreds of suit coats, pants, and shirts while other donors sent ties. Destiny Church of Columbia, Tennessee provided hygiene products for more than 200 pastors and church leaders living in the refugee camps. Thank you to these churches for providing these wonderful gifts to these leaders.
THOUSANDS RESPOND TO THE ‘JESUS FILM’ OUTREACHES Our teams have been busy bringing the “Jesus Film” to many people throughout Rwanda. These Jesus Film outreaches have presented the gospel to thousands of people and thousands have accepted Christ into their hearts at these outreaches over the last few months. Over the summer, we were able to bring the Jesus Film to seven different locations, including the Advocates for Africa School of Leadership school grounds where many local students will soon attend school. It is truly because of your giving that we are able to continue to bring this film throughout Rwanda. You are supporting local evangelists who are working tirelessly to deliver this incredible film to some of the most remote places in Rwanda.
october 3, 2019
Tulsa, Ok • woodlake church
october 10, 2019
columbia, tn • Destiny church You are invited as we celebrate an amazing year of bringing hope, compassion, and education to the people of Africa! This event is free and a fully catered dinner and entertainment are provided. Doors open and silent auction begins at 6:30pm; event begins at 7:00pm. We are also looking for special partners who would like to help us underwrite these celebration banquets. If you or your business/organization are interested, visit the link below.
RSVP TODAY AT ADVOCATESFORAFRICA.ORG/CELEBRATION
what people are saying
“The ministry of AFA reaches beyond the normal mission trips that bring love and service to people in need, in that they bring hope for a better tomorrow. A hope based upon the culture of the people without imposing our western culture. A hope based on education, clean water, and the life-giving message of the good news of a Jesus. Local pastors are at the forefront of leading the efforts and service. They are native to the country and know how to lead and provide the proper assistance to meet the greatest needs in a respectful and honorable manner. Their goal is to provide education to children and adults to aid their communities with better resources for living and equip the local church to have the resources to be more effective while utilizing our services as simply boots on the ground to assist them as God opens doors of opportunity.�
Doug Schauer
THOUSANDS REACHED AT REFUGEE CAMP In late July, Advocates conducted yet another refugee camp crusade where we witnessed thousands run to the front during the invitation to accept Christ. In late 2018, Rwanda hosted some 172,000 refugees, including nearly 46% from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 53% from Burundi, all hosted in multiple camps throughout the country. Although the rate of people arriving from Burundi and Congo has decreased since the outbreak of political violence in 2015, there are still nearly 150 refugees crossing Rwanda’s borders every single week, adding to the growing number of people inside these refugee camps. Through your partnership and monthly support, we were able to provide pallets of milk and food for the children of the largest refugee camp in Rwanda and conducted a large crusade that saw tens of thousands in attendance. The people of this camp still need your prayers and your support. There are roughly 60,000 people in this camp alone, but through the support you provide, we are able to send teams of people to help provide hope, compassion, and education to these people.
ADVOCATESFORAFRICA.ORG
founders of advocates for africa
JEROD & KATINA SMITH
.org
P.O. Box 455 Kellyville, Oklahoma 74039
SUMMER 2019 RECAP VIDEO (405) 761-2120 info@advocatesforafrica.org
Photo by Steven Jeffrey
Photo by Brice Smith
ADVOCATES CELEBRATION BANQUET RECAP FROM 2018
THOUSANDS REACHED AT REFUGEE CAMP In late July, Advocates conducted yet another refugee camp crusade where we witnessed thousands run to the front during the invitation to accept Christ. In late 2018, Rwanda hosted some 172,000 refugees, including nearly 46% from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 53% from Burundi, all hosted in multiple camps throughout the country. Although the rate of people arriving from Burundi and Congo has decreased since the outbreak of political violence in 2015, there are still nearly 150 refugees crossing Rwanda’s borders every single week, adding to the growing number of people inside these refugee camps. Through your partnership and monthly support, we were able to provide pallets of milk and food for the children of the largest refugee camp in Rwanda and conducted a large crusade that saw tens of thousands in attendance. The people of this camp still need your prayers and your support. There are roughly 60,000 people in this camp alone, but through the support you provide, we are able to send teams of people to help provide hope, compassion, and education to these people.
ADVOCATESFORAFRICA.ORG
founders of advocates for africa
JEROD & KATINA SMITH
.org
P.O. Box 455 Kellyville, Oklahoma 74039 (405) 761-2120 info@advocatesforafrica.org
