Past Mission Trips

“What a blessing to go to Cindi's Hope Rwanda this summer. The needs are great and resources few. We live in a land of abundance and indulgence in America while they are struggling just to survive. I was very impressed with CH, from the outstanding staff, to the education being provided, to the way she hires community folks, to the resourcefulness and vision Cindi employs. The students, staff, and community are seeing and learning about the love of God and salvation. The whole time I kept thinking about Luke 12:48 "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Cindi is a "much" person! Basic needs are what stood out most and the biggest were clean water and nutrition. CH is making a difference one school at a time.” - Ann C.

“My first time on a mission trip was a life changing and a growing experience. Seeing a true picture of God’s Kingdom became a reality there. From praying with people in the villages for salvation or healing, seeing joy in people's faces when we gave them a Bible that they couldn't afford, hearing kids sing praises to Jesus, prayerwalking over each of the campuses, leading VBS crafts and sharing His Word were some of the highlights. The kids were so thankful and appreciative for the toothbrushes, toothpaste and underwear we handed out. Leading crafts and seeing how the simplest things we shared were things we often take for granted. The Lord showed me how dependent they are on God for the most basic needs like clean water and food and how rich they really are, and we often are the poor ones not dependent on Him.” - Cheryl S.

“That which I hold dearest from my trip to Rwanda are the morning and evening teachings and share time. Each morning we had communion, ridding ourselves of the worldly things [the crumbs] and evoking the power of the bread and blood. Then we anointed our right ear [that we might hear], our right thumb [to do His work] and our big right toe [that we would know God’s direction]. In the evening we shared what we heard God say to us and where we saw Him move. For me the pinnacle for this trip happened on the seventh walk around our last campus “the hill”. I was not sure I could do the last lap and that is when God spoke, not only about the endeavor of “the hill” but also about moving forward in ministry. Keep my eyes off the impossible and step by step follow the vision He has given me.” - Richard K.

“God's timing is perfect and when He says Go, He prepares our hearts. I held on to Revelation 5:9-10 ‘And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’ God's Heart for the nations is clear. Many times on outreach, I sensed the people's expectations being met by God because we showed up and He used us all. My first mission trip was life altering and I know we are just getting started.” - Karen K.

“Our team administered aid to hundreds of people from the community as well as children in the schools who needed medical help. We were able to provide much needed medical supplies thanks to the overwhelmingly generous donations of over-the-counter medications and bandages by the COS family! But more importantly, we were able to pray over these people who had come to Cindi’s Hope for healing. There continues to be a great need for healing, (physically, mentally, and spiritually) in that country that was so devastated by the genocide in 1994. Perhaps the greatest physical need in these villages is for clean water. Many of the physical ailments we saw in the clinic were due to lack of clean water. So many people had parasitic infestations because they got their water from a lake or pond that was closer than traveling to the next town to get clean well water. At each of the school campuses Cindi’s goal is to drill a well to provide clean water for the students and staff as well as to make water available for community members. Since returning home I am deeply humbled and appreciative for water that is clean and readily accessible.” - Ruth J.

“I had the honor to serve on a medical team where we treated students, teachers, and members of the community, most of whom have never had any medical treatment or wellness education in their lives. We saw countless conditions, injuries, and illnesses that had never been diagnosed or treated: poorly healed wounds from the Rwandan genocide, worms in the eyes, worms in the body, ear infections, blindness and cataracts, systemic infections, Down Syndrome and other developmental dysfunctions, untreated previous surgical complications, skin infections, orthopedic injuries, and more.” - Maegan R.

“One of my biggest takeaways was how these schools make a difference in the lives of the kids, their families and the community at large. I was at school #1 three years ago and there was a very noticeable difference in the community on this trip. It did not look as desolate and the people seemed to be much more at peace. The community appearance and the demeanor of the people was much improved over three years ago. I look forward to seeing the other communities grow as well as the other schools get more established. A big part of the noticeable difference is, of course, the peace that comes as people, kids and adults, come to know Jesus as a result of having the school in the area. The trust in God by Cindi and her staff is obvious as they work to provide those resources through prayer and by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their paths and decisions. The end result is immeasurable as the schools enable these kids the opportunity to become future leaders and disciple makers in their communities.” - Andy C.