Friends of Hope Africa University, Inc.

Newsletter, November 2011

Friends,

Here are some items of news on Hope Africa University:

1) Eleven first time conversions at HAU and many students renewing their commitment to Jesus Christ

Bishop Elie reports on the spiritual emphasis period in this semester saying that the theme was ‘Vision and Faith’ and, at the time of his report they still had three more days to go.  To me it is wonderful to know that, in the midst of a large and busy university this kind of thing is going on (alongside small group Bible studies, prayer vigils, Christian vocal groups, chaplains’ ministries and prayers in classes).  Luke 11:33 speaks of the lamp on its stand “…so that those who come in may see the light.”  Hope Africa University continues faithfully, day after day, its mission of light and hope in the very heartof the African continent.  As an example of the reach of the university Bishop Elie tells us that, in addition to those from Burundi, we currently have medical students from Rwanda, Congo, Cameroun, Haiti, Tscad, Uganda and Kenya.

2) Doctor team committed to service at Kibuye Hope Hospital beginning service in 2013 

A team of eight young missionaries, six of whom are MDs with a variety of s

pecializations, are making plans for long-term service at Kibuye.  As a group they call themselves the ‘McCropders,’ an acronym constructed from pieces of their family names.  (You can reach their web site under this name for information on their service at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya where they have been serving for the last 2-3 years before making the decision as a group to bring their giftedness to Kibuye.)  They are committed to teaching African doctors and nurses as well as providing medical care to the surrounding population.  On November 4 the Executive Committee of Friends of Hope Africa University, along with Dr. David Crandall, medical board member of FofHAU formerly in service at Kibuye, met for an all day coordination time with the team.  This development represents a major advance for the HAU medical and nursing schools and for the development of Kibuye Hospital into a premier medical teaching and treatment facility for the whole region.

3) Current needs:  

For the past four years we have been engaged in construction of the education/administration building.  It is a three-story, 45,000 sq. ft. building, in the parts that are finished, serving thousands of students every 16 hour class day.  The value of the building completed is easily $1,500,000.  Building costs have risen tremendously and we need $120,000 to finish and equip this building.  Please direct your year-end giving, of whatever size gifts, to this project.

A second need is for the clinic currently being completed adjacent to the university.  Target date for dedication and opening is February 27.  We still need $25,000 to finish the construction in preparation for move-in.  This is both a teaching and treatment facility, giving quality medical services to the surrounding

community and furnishing clinical experience for HAU’s medical and nursing students.  Drs. Joel and Janette Miller, extended term medical missionary appointees arriving in spring 2012, will be teaching and supervising in this facility.

4)  Facts about giving through Friends of Hope Africa University Inc.

We at FofHAU are all volunteers and cover our own costs, travel to board meetings, travel to HAU, and, through board gifts to the operating fund, all incidental expenses (publicity, etc.).  This means that all gifts go 100% to their target needs.  Few organizations can say this.  

We consider ourselves blessed to be able to service Hope Africa University and its mission in this way.

As a 501(c)3 charity all gifts qualifying under IRS guidelines are fully tax deductible.  We are very conscientious in respecting the purposes of the gifts.

Our audit is annually reported to the Board of Adminstriation of the Free Methodist Church USA.  International transactions bank-to-bank are handled by the Free Methodist Foundation.

Gifts should be sent to:

Friends of Hope Africa University

Box 580 

Spring Arbor MI 49283

For information:

Contact Gerald Bates, contact@haufriends.org, 317 298 4872

or write: 6715 Oak Lake Drive, Indianapolis IN 46214