Rwanda Update Two

Hi All
We spent part of the day with leaders of HIV-Aids support groups which were initiated by the Mercy ministry of Christian Life Assembly of Kigali  the local church we are working with.  I am humbled. Rwanda continues to have a strong stigma against those who suffer with the disease and it takes a highly committed church to be upfront about this and a brave person to attend let alone lead a neighbourhood group. They were singing when we arrived. If I had a coffee in my hand I could have  been convinced that I was in Heaven.

The group leaders  were upbeat and feeling good about their situation which they attribute to a couple of things: group support and faith in Christ. Their faith is simple: Before they committed to following Christ they were despondent and now they are not. I think we in the west may be making Christianity  too complicated.

Yesterday we visited the group home that Urban Bridge funding initiated and supports – powerful . Wait till you see the video and photos Jordan captured!

For the past 2 years Urban Bridge Church has taken one Sunday away from our regular service to participate in something we care a great deal about: The AIDS Walk for Life.

This year Urban Bridge Church will once again be sponsoring the event as a community, but we wanted to go above that and participate in raising funds as individuals from Urban Bridge Church.

If you are interested in joining the Urban Bridge Church team (there is still time) in raising individual pledges, or you would like to sponsor our team, please click here

There are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer for the event, and if you would like to do so please contact Pascal at pascalbelzile@gmail.com

Even if you can’t volunteer or sponsor us, please join us in the Walk for Life on September 20, 2009 at 11am. The 5km event begins at Churchill Square.

Here is a thank you from Taanis, a resident of Kairos House for whom the Urban Bridge community purchased a set of new dentures to help restore “her smile”.

Click here to read the thank you letter in PDF format.

Click here to read more about Kairos House and our involvement there.

“With financial support from Urban Bridge Church, we managed to set up our third mercy home in January this year. The new mercy home is home to Cyurinyana and her family of 9. Cyurinyana who was (still is) part of the HIV.AIDS support group, is a typical example of the destitute people who are the main beneficiaries of CLA Mercy Homes. When we decided to take her on she was very sick and unable to do anything for herself and the children. The entire family of nine was living in a one-room shack provided to her by a well wisher in the neighborhood. It’s unbelievable how nine people could fit in so tiny a room, together with all their belongings – plus it was leaky!

A combination of malnutrition and the use of strong ARV’s had very much weakened Cyurinyana and she was probably 99% of he time bed-ridden. She was extremely skinny – bonny to be more accurate and you wouldn’t expect her to live another day!

Within weeks of moving into the mercy home, her life completely turned around. She is no longer sickly, has gained some weight and is now strong enough to take care of her children.

All the children (those who had dropped out of school and those who had not yet started school due to lack of means) have all been helped to start schooling through the Mercy Ministry Education sponsorship Program.”

One of our most special memories of last year was the opportunity to share in the HIV/AIDS vigil, hosted by HIV Edmonton. It was a solomn time of reflection and reverence, and a show of solidarity with those who have suffered at the hands of this horrible disease.

As World AIDS Day approaches on December 1, Urban Bridge would like to take part again this year, and show our support for those remembering lost loved ones.

Here is the information from HIV Edmonton’s invite;

Annual AIDS Memorial and Vigil
A non-denominational evening ceremony dedicated to remembering those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, followed by a candlelight walk.

This event is open to The general public.

Citadel Theatre
9828 – 101a Avenue nw. | Room TBA.

Please RSVP to Sue Ann Paydli:
sue-ann.p [at] hivedmonton.com
or call: 780-488-5742 | ext. 221

Download the Vigil Invite

visit HIVEdmonton.com for more information

In case you missed it, or just want revisit the memories, here are some photos from the day.

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Urban Bridge is taking to the streets this Sunday in support of those affected by HIV/AIDS in Edmonton.

The Scotiabank AIDS Walk For Life takes place this Sunday, IN PLACE OF OUR REGULAR CHURCH GATHERING. The walk starts at 1 PM at City Hall with registration starting at 11 AM. You must arrive and register to walk sometime before 1 PM. If you are volunteering, you may need to arrive earlier. If you have not signed up to volunteer yet and would like to, contact Misty (of HIV Edmonton) at misty.b@hivedmonton.com.

We believe there are many ways to worship God, and that showing others the love of Christ is one of the best. That is what we will be doing and we bring the presence of Christ, through our lives and our service, to the heart of the city at this weekend’s AIDS Walk for Life.

Get all the details on the Edmonton walk here >> http://www.aidswalkforlife.ca/Edmonton.htm

Here are some photos from last year’s incredible walk.

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The AIDS Walk is coming up again this fall and HIV Edmonton could use your help.

Here is the official request from HIV Edmonton Operations Coordinator, Misty Bjerky.

Good Afternoon,

Next week there are many opportunities for volunteers to help HIV Edmonton prepare for the 2008 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for LIfe.

Among the current available tasks are:

Contacting Previous Walkers
Preparing Sponsorship Packages
Preparing Partnership Packages
Preparing Team Captain packages

If you are able to help, even an hour here or there works wonders, please contact me either via this email address or by phone at (780) 488-5742 x 222 or (780) 965-7910. Right now the schedule is open for Tuesday to Friday, contact me soon so get your preferred time slot.

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you next week.

Thanks for volunteering!

Misty Bjerky
Operations Coordinator

HIV Edmonton

Urban Bridge will be taking a Sunday to walk in support of those affected by HIV/AIDS in Edmonton this fall. Meet us at Churchhill Square between noon and 1 PM (earlier if you have volunteer duties).

Last year’s HIV/AIDS walk was an inspiring, community building morning.

You can find out more here at http://www.aidswalkforlife.ca