News on Gihunga Center Funding!

On May 22, we began a fundraising campaign to raise $12,000 for completion on funding for the first phase of Gihunga Center. Gihunga, meaning, “to cultivate” in Kinyarwanda, is what we prayerfully wish to see in the lives of our widows and in the lives of other widows and their children in the Susa community. This new work facility will provide much-needed space, but more importantly, provide our women with a building that belongs to them on land we already own. It will eliminate the need to pay rental fees and will enable True Vineyard Ministries to have enough room to rescue more impoverished widows and their children.

We are excited to give you an update on our fundraising efforts for Gihunga Center.  As of June 9, we have collected $5,224, leaving a balance of $6,776 needed by July 1.  We prayerfully ask, that if you have not contributed to this important campaign, that you consider giving a gift of ANY amount. You may give through our secure online giving page, or send a check to our office.

True Vineyard Ministries, Inc.

317 W. San Antonio St.

San Marcos, Texas 78666

We are thankful for this affirmation from God and are believing him for this next exciting step in the lives of the widows and their children. Our dream is that you will partner with us as we move forward to an even brighter future. Thank you so much for your wonderful support of our work.

Blessings,

Diana Wiley

Executive Director

Building Gihunga Center

True Vineyard Ministries has grown from employing 10 women in 2008 to our current total of 35 in 2013.  Last year, we were able to move our sheep to a larger piece of land in the nearby community of Kinigi. This move allows for a larger, healthier flock and greater wool supply, which means sustainability for our ministry to continue the employment of widows forgotten by the rest of the world.

It also means a new vacancy on the small piece of land we already own in Susa Village, a place where 3 years ago we began to plan for the building of our permanent work facility, the Gihunga Center. Gihunga is a Kinyarwanda word for “cultivate,” which is what we desire to see in the lives of the widows and in the surrounding Susa community.

Susa Village consists of government housing designed to house widows and orphan-headed households. These families have very limited opportunities for employment, healthcare and education. Susa Village is where 80% of the TVM employees reside. As the ministry grows, it is highly probable that future employees will also come from this village.

Over the past 5 years, TVM has expanded significantly. Because of this, we have outgrown our current workspace.  I’m very happy to announce that on April 24th, we were awarded a $12,000 grant to be applied towards the first phase of construction for our Gihunga Center! The total estimated cost of this phase is $23,567. Completed construction of both phases is estimated at $41,731 but we can move into the new facility once the first phase is completed.

It is very much our desire and prayer that you would join with us by partnering in the first phase of construction for the new center, which we hope to begin in June. We cannot begin until we have raised an additional $11,567. With your prayerful and financial support, we can continue to be part of the healing transformation of these widows and their families.

Thank you so much for your financial consideration of this important step in the life of True Vineyard Ministries in Rwanda. If you choose to support this effort, you may make a designated contribution on our secure giving page, where a categorical breakdown of the building estimate is listed.  As each area of funding is met, we will remove it from the funding needs list. There is no gift too small as we set out to transform a community. Should we raise more than our initial goal, funding will be put towards the second phase of construction and then to areas of greatest need.

We will be posting regular reports on funding received and our building progress!

Many blessings,

Diana Wiley

Executive Director

Remember Rwanda

Last Saturday, April 6^th marked the 19^th anniversary of the beginning of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide when the president’s plane was shot down over the capital Kigali. The week that follows is dedicated as the week of mourning. Shops are closed as villages mourn with candle-lit vigils and commemorative ceremonies. Continuing for 100 days there will be no celebrations or parties of any kind until their Liberation Day, July 4^th, which marks the end of the genocide.

This time of the year has proven to be a very difficult time for our ladies. The time of mourning can also evoke trauma and pain in their lives. They, along with other Rwandans, are reminded of the horrible things that occurred and relive the tragedies of pain and loss that occurred 19 years ago. For many, it affects their work and is immobilizing.

What made the genocide so devastating was the lack of outside help for the ongoing massacre that plagued the Rwandan countryside. I was reminded of the devastation as I watched the Frontline documentary, Ghosts of Rwanda. The wake of the genocide waded to the ends of the earth. Everyone felt its impact. Those that were closest to the crisis felt the pain and those who turned their heads against it felt the guilt. No one was untouched by its chaos.

Now 19 years later, the genocide remains to be an ever-present reality for many Rwandans while for us on the other side of the world this genocide is nothing but history. It is easy to close your eyes to something you can’t see, but that does not mean that it is not there. I challenge you to make yourself aware to the suffering of our brother and sisters in Rwanda. Let’s not ignore their need again, but rather come to their aid.  Join us in praying for peace in their villages and in their hearts, especially for our 35 widows and their families.

Another way to offer up encouragement and support during this difficult time is to sponsor one of our 35 widows. Sponsoring is more than just assisting her with her salary, but it is affirming her work, valuing her as an individual and walking through life with her. What better way to lay a healing touch to the genocide’s aftermath—commit and invest in her future! A $35 monthly contribution allows a widow to work in a holistic environment that provides her with spiritual and emotional support, health insurance, group and one-on-one therapy, and a steady salary.

 Visit http://www.truevineyard.org/our-widows to read more about the women we serve in Rwanda. Let us not forget the tragedy that affected so many Rwandans in this season by praying and loving them fervently! 

Come celebrate with us!

We can't believe it! Four years at The Vineyard Marketplace!

 Please come to our 5th Annual Springtime Trunk Show, benefiting True Vineyard Ministries!

 This show will feature our new jewelry line from Raven + Lily.  This beautiful collection is made by women with HIV in Ethiopia from melted bullet casings and vintage coins. We will also feature Sseko sandals, made by young Ugandan women who are raising funds to further their education. If you can't join us please consider shopping our online Marketplace!

 But if you come...enjoy complimentary appetizers prepared by Chef Marcien Rusuriye of Burundi while you Shop For Good! Chef Marcien cooked for eight US ambassadors and has prepared meals for two US Presidents...and tonight he's cooking for us!


We hope to see you at The Vineyard Marketplace tonight from 5:00-8:30!

317 W. San Antonio St.
San Marcos, TX 78666

512-392-8463

Carl Wilkens

Early on the evening of April 6, 1994 Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana and Burundian President Cyprien Ntaryamira died when a missile shot down their airplane in Kigali, Rwanda in what was determined to be the pretext of The Rwandan Genocide. Over the course of the next 100 days almost one million people lost their lives to a machete in one of the worst humanitarian crisis of our lifetime.

Carl Wilkens was the only American to stay in Rwanda during those 100 days. With chaos and terror exploding outside his door, he was terrified, but he says he told God if he died, he would trust him.  “That’s when I felt freed from fear, “ he says.

Carl’s telling of his own experiences in Rwanda puts a human face on genocide, showing us that the perpetrators, victims and resistors will not soon be forgotten.  He is a internationally-recognized expert and activist believing strongly that popular groundswells for change are born when individuals look outside of themselves and reach out to one another. “We need to live for each other," Carl has said.

April 6, 2013, on the 19^th anniversary of The Rwandan Genocide, please join the San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church to hear Mr. Wilken’s along with True Vineyard Ministries’ Executive Director, Diana Wiley, for an open forum.  The forum discussion will be held at 10:00 am, followed by a formal presentation by Mr. Wilkens at 11:00 am.

San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church

1523 Old Ranch Road 12

San Marcos, Texas 78666

Thank You Berry Much!

We won’t have our final revenue numbers calculated for a few days but we already know that God has indeed blessed our 11^th Annual, Chocolate-covered Strawberry Sale! Many thanks to 200+ amazing volunteers who put in over 250 collective hours of their sweet time!  I am incredibly grateful and inspired that so many of you came forward when we really needed your support in terms of time.  Your enthusiasm, perseverance and eagerness to serve those whom we serve in Rwanda is one of the greatest blessings that can be bestowed on this ministry.  We want you to know that the gift of your time is precious to God and to us.

Much gratitude goes to our incredible sponsors that helped us make this, our single largest fundraiser of the year, a GREAT success!

B&J Pharmacy

Centerpoint Station

Central Texas Medical Center

Enactus ~ Texas State University

First United Methodist Church, San Marcos

Victory Cleaners

XBΔ Sorority ~ Texas State University

Oh yes…and thanks to the hundreds of you that bought our delicious chocolate-covered strawberries and to the Monica Followell who did an AMAZING job of coordinating the last 3 days!

Blessings-

Diana Wiley

Executive Director

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this; To look after widows and orphans in distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Who's Ready for some Chocolate-Covered Strawberries?

It's that time of the year! True Vineyard Ministries will be holding our 11th Annual Chocolate-covered Strawberry Sale February 12th, 13th and 14th at locations all over San Marcos, Texas! Please consider giving us some of your SWEET time and sign up to volunteer as we need at least 200 friends to have a successful fundraiser! Pre-order you strawberries online with a local delivery charge of only $3 or pick up a dozen or half-dozen at any of our sales locations all over town! We are grateful for your continued support! Please click on the News & Media tab on the left to reveal the links! Sign-up or pre-order your strawberries now!