A Life of Love

For those of you who don't know, Claver is our dear friend and brother from Rwanda.  After growing up at Noel and working harder than anyone I've ever known, he is now attending university in the USA and a part of our family.  We can't remember life without him here.

In every prayer he shares at our table, he is always in prayer for the children from Noel.  And, he always asks God to help us live a life of love.

He knows it's the most important thing.

And, that if we have love--a deep holy love--for others and for God, we have everything we need for a life of service dedicated to Him.

Never in my life have I seen someone who lives this out like Claver does, proclaiming love with passion and joy, overcoming all difficulties from his life, and looking forward with great anticipation for what the Lord is doing in him, through him, and around him.

In fact, as I sat down to write about him this morning, I wondered what verse I could share that best describes his heart.  And, instantly, I thought "Claver is clothed with compassion and kindness".  

THIS is what makes Claver who he is.  Compassion.  Humility.  Quiet strength.  Discipline.

"Chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you:  compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.  Be even-tempered...forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.  And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.  Never be without it.  

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other.  None of this going off and doing your own thing.  And cultivate thankfulness.  Let the Word of Christ---the Message--have the run of the house.  Give it plenty of room in your lives.  Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.  And sing your hearts out to God!  Let every detail in your lives---words, actions, whatever---be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."  (Colossians 3:12-17, The Message)

When we decided to have Claver come with us to Rwanda in May, none of us could sleep from the excitement of it all.  

He was going back to his country for the first time in a year, and would be sharing encouragement with the other kids from Noel, surprising longtime friends with his arrival, and enjoying so many of the things he loves about Rwanda.

It was all we could do to keep his secret, so we could arrive as a surprise!

But, what I love, is knowing that our God was even more excited than we were...because He had some surprises of His own in store.

To this day, I still don't know if Claver expected to be used the way he was.  I don't know if he knew what his presence would do for the kids, for the leaders, for the schools, for us.  

I don't know if he knew that he has a strength about him that is like a magnet for others.

(And, oh my GOODNESS, I really did not realize that everyone in Rwanda knows Claver.  And, it became quite entertaining to see the reactions of people, as they practically jumped into his arms to greet him and hug him.  His legacy of love still runs deep all over that place.)

And, wow.  The students.  

As he spoke to the students, my proud momma heart was in a puddle on the floor.  (And so were my tears, of course.)

He spoke with such love and compassion, yet with such power and authority.  He shared hope, and at the same time, the importance of hard work.  

He gave them wisdom that they could really understand.

And I sat there in awe.

He is the ONLY one who could share encouragement that way.  Because he is living what he preaches.  And, he has lived the very life these students have lived.  

So, their trust runs deep.  And the history of friendship and respect they share provided Claver a platform to stand on, that we don't have.

Every minute of our time there was used for these students and the development of programs for their futures.  Meetings were held with people from all different areas of this work...leaders in the government, headmasters, the orphanage staff, pastors, medical staff, nutrition providers, students in school, students who have left school...the list goes on and on.

And, in every single instance, whether it was dinner with the government officials, or running to get school reports printed at the local printer, Claver was cool, calm, collected...but also compassionate.  

We would have been lost without him.  

So many of the goals we had for this trip were met because Claver made it happen.

In fact, he remained in Rwanda for two weeks after we returned, working to finish all the details for these students.  Arranging medical care for those who were sick and taking them to the doctors they needed.  Replenishing supplies at the schools that were needed.  Meeting with the students about so many details.  Setting up tutors and assistants to help the students.  Traveling to the orphanage, to each school, and spending his days solving problems, and arranging future developments for our programs to deepen and become more Rwandan-based in leadership and design.

In all of this, what makes me the most excited is knowing that this is just the beginning of big things for the students we love.  Claver has amazing ideas for the future.  He has a passion for seeing these students thrive, and become aware of the hope and love they have in Jesus.  He has amazing connections with Rwandan people who we can involve in all kinds of ways. And, he has a wisdom and knowledge of these children's hearts and minds that is vital to a ministry like this one.

God knew what He was doing when He set Claver apart as a leader at Noel so many years ago.  And He continues to set him apart now for the many years of work and service ahead.

Claver is an ambassador of Christ to these kids.

And, we thank God for the gift of Claver's love both in our lives and in the lives of the students.

Term Two Begins!

"He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together." -Colossians 1:17

This has always been one of my favorite verses.  Twelve words, each one full of deep truth. And, once again, He showed His stuff this week.  In Him, this thing called Project Education, holds together.

Many of your received my "final plea" email Friday night.  We never stopped believing that He would fund Term Two for these kids.  But, boy, were we tired and worn that night.  Thank you for reading past my exhaustion, and believing with us.

Because, He funded it FULLY through your gifts.

Friday night, we needed $16,000 to fund Term Two and send all of the students to school on Sunday.

By Saturday night, we had over $30,000 in one-time donations...more than enough to pay for this term, and a deposit for the following term!

We also asked that you would consider becoming a monthly sponsor for a student, because truly, that is what sustains our education program long-term.

And, guess what?  Out of the 100 students unsponsored on Friday night, 33 of those have been taken care of!  We have 67 to go!!  This is a really good ratio for the four days since that email.

Not only did every student return to school (237 of those precious ones!), but we got to say YES to four more students, who were longing to join them, and needed to repeat some coursework before graduation.  

Within twelve hours of the bus pulling away, they were added to the list of His Chase students, and supplies were gathered for their term at boarding school.

Do you understand what this means??

God is still growing this thing!

God is still teaching us that He knows no bounds when it comes to these kids.

God is still showing everyone that in HIM, all things hold together.

God is still adding to this growing list of families and loving friends who hear the call to take care of orphans and are DOING IT, one child at a time.

Thank you for joining us.  Thank you for praying.  Thank you for giving.

And, if you haven't yet, there are still needs.  We don't say that because we are greedy.  It's just the truth.  :) 

Remember, 100% of what you give goes to the education, nutrition, and spiritual discipleship of these kids.  100%.

After all, these are all God's resources anyway.  And, I'm pretty sure He's ready to bless the socks off those who give it all back to Him to use for His glory and for His kids.

THANK YOU.  On behalf of ALL of the kids, and from us as well.  You make peaceful sleep come again to this household and you make smiles come to our faces that are impossible to hide.  :)  THANK YOU.

I want to tell them...

Nothing is more humbling and exhilarating and nerve-racking 

than enrolling 237 kids in boarding schools & universities, 

while having no idea exactly how God plans to fund this whole thing.

But, that's what we did in December. {I'm sure you remember.}

And, because 103 of you became financial sponsors 

between January and March...

...and because of two large {and absolutely amazing} 

donations that totaled $35,000...

...we were able to fully fund the first term of boarding school, 

plus supplies and registration for all 237 kids.  

A grand total of more than $100,000 was raised in less than THREE weeks!

And, here we are.

Second school term begins April 21st.

That's ten days from now, in case you're counting.  {We might be.}

103 of these kids already have their school fees completely taken care of.

And, we're waiting on God for the rest.

So, I'm just going to shoot it straight.

We need 134 awesome people (or groups of people) 

to either partially or fully fund the 

remaining costs of a student's school year.

Do you have the ability to give $100 a month so another child can be fully funded for school this year?

Do you have an awesome group within your community who would each give $10 or $25 a month toward a student's school fees?

Or, were you just wondering yesterday what to do with you tax refund, and have $900 ready and waiting to fund the rest of a child's year at school?

Because, y'all.

I want to tell them that another school term is taken care of.

I want to tell them that they don't ever have to worry about not being in school.  Because it's never gonna be a problem.

I want to tell them it's because God has great plans for their lives and they are already living it.

And, guess what?

We will tell them those things.

Because we believe it is all absolutely true.

They never have to worry. They will stay in school.  God does have great plans.  And, they are living it.

These kids will rest secure in knowing they are fully paid for and fully loved.

Because we know God will do it.

The question is:  Will you let Him use you to do it?

We humbly---and I do mean humbly---ask you to help us support these kids.

April 21st.  $100/month from 134 people.  This is so possible.

And, I can't wait to tell them the God-sized stories that are about to happen in the next 10 days, all for their benefit and blessing.  Amen.  May it be so, Lord.

 ***To donate online, click HERE and follow instructions for one-time gifts OR monthly recurring drafts.  To donate by check, you can mail it to:  His Chase Foundation, P.O. Box 143053, Irving TX 75014-3053.

We're Walking with You, Rwanda

I wish I could tell you what I was doing on April 7 of 1994.  Because if I knew where I was standing when I heard the news, that would mean it was such a significant moment of loss to me, that time stood still and it was all I could focus on.

The hard truth is I can't tell you where I was when I heard about Rwanda.  

I don't know what I was doing when I heard some faint whisper of the ground-shaking-life-shattering tragedy that was happening to families among the hills there.

I didn't even know it was a tragic day...for people who I now love so deeply.

I didn't know parents were losing children...and children were losing parents, halfway across the world.

And, I surely didn't know that God would spend the next 15 years of my life preparing my heart for loving Rwanda and her people...but also being humbled and changed by Rwanda and her people.

I didn't know she and I would become intertwined through loss and tragedy, but also through healing and restoration.

This week, we stand beside our Rwandan sisters and brothers, not because we understand, or even because we remember the way they do. 

But, because we have seen their faces of love, peace, and restoration in recent years, and we want to love like they do.  We want to seek unity like they do.  We want to allow beauty from ashes the way they do.

We want them to know that they can trust their stories and their pain and their healing with those of us who walk with them now.  We want to hear their hearts.  We want to tell the world what God is doing in their country, and through their people, to bind hearts with His.

Because right there with the pain and tragedy I have found in Rwanda, I have found Jesus in the most powerful way possible:  as He restores and redeems the pain and exchanges it for beauty.

"Rwandans want the world to know how much they have suffered, and to respond to that knowledge by ministering God's comfort to those who survived.  They want the world to know how powerful GOD is to heal the wounds and restore the soul.  And they want the world to know that despite all it has heard about genocide and cruelty and terrible suffering, there is much of Jesus to be found in the people of Rwanda.

And, as you discover Jesus among the Rwandans, you will discover the God of hope who can take a shattered nation, wash it, heal it, and hold it up to the world as a demonstration of His wonderful grace."

---Beauty From Ashes, by Callum Henderson

Amen and Amen.  We love you all and are walking with you through this week, always remembering and thanking the Lord that, in Him, there is perfect healing and unity that cannot be broken.

The Discipleship Team of Rwanda

I have a collection of books about Rwanda.  One of my favorites, Beauty from Ashes, speaks of the spirit of Rwanda in response to the horrible events of the genocide in their country.  (I will be writing more about that in the coming days, as the Memorial Week begins.)

But, today, I've been reading this book again, trying to take in the depth of pain and loss in this country.  But, even more so, I've been reminded of reconciliation, resilience, and restoration.

And, all I can think of are these small but mighty warriors.

They are too young to have experienced the genocide firsthand.

But, don't for a minute think they haven't experienced the results of it.  They are a part of the desperate place so many still find themselves in...the grief and loss that has come in the years since 1994.  They've known it and lived it in ways we will never understand or imagine.

Still, when I look in their eyes, I see their futures.

I see strong men and women, with a sense of purpose and dignity.

I see joyful spirits, full of hope, who realize the opportunities that lie ahead for them are endless.

I see disciples of Christ.

His ambassadors to a broken world.  A brokenness they know firsthand, and remember.  But, a world they no longer consider themselves bound by.  A world they are ready to change and restore and redeem through the power of the Spirit that lies within them.

"Once widows and orphans have experienced God's restoring power in their lives...they want to share the message of hope with others.  A "discipleship team" of widows and orphans who have themselves been comforted, reach out across the country to those who are still suffering.  They share what they have experienced, and look to God for healing."  (Beauty From Ashes)

That is my God-sized dream for these little ones at Sonrise.  A discipleship team of the future.

Brothers and sisters joined together to change things because of the change they themselves have experienced.

They have just begun a new journey that will absolutely get them there, through Christian guidance, excellent academic training, and the sense of belonging they are receiving from so many families who love them.

We pray that over the next dozen years, they come to know who they are in Christ.  We pray they find an inner strength that stands against the outside voices that tell them they are "only an orphan".  We pray that the smiles we see today, go deeper, to a joy that is unending and unwavering, regardless of what lies ahead.

Our days at Sonrise were full of hope and joy.

The magnetic pull these precious ones have on our hearts is so powerful.  They have so much light in them, that it's hard to imagine they have been in such darkness.

Sharing your letters was again one of the most joyous days of my life, and our team will never forget the happiness that came from your words and pictures.

We helped them write a letter back to the families who are praying for them.  And, although English is definitely a struggle, and the letters were brief and simple, I hope you know how powerful your impact is on these children, even if they can't put it in words.


I keep imagining these relationships over the coming years.

How every letter will show them that we really mean it when we say "we love you" and "we're praying for you" and "we'll be here for you".  Each time they hear again that they are important---so much more than "just orphans"---they begin believing it a little more.

And, the more they see their hard work pay off in ridiculously awesome scores in school (we just got their scores for this term and they DID AMAZINGLY WELL!!), they will have confidence in their ability, but also in their futures, knowing that with this kind of education and a faith in Christ, their futures are secure.

As their futures feel secure, and their confidence grows, they will be God's sharpest swords for the Kingdom.  And, they will begin seeking to help and restore and heal and comfort others.

Life will be SO DIFFERENT for these kids because of the opportunities you have given them.

They are going to change the world.

They are going to challenge their nation.

They are going to disciple the lost.

This, my friends, is the next Discipleship Team of Rwanda.

May it be so, Lord!!