Please note new email
address: <batesgerald@sbcglobal.net>
Thirteen North American guests visited HAU in February for the occasion of the University’s second graduation, for convocation and other events on campus (see photos). The group was comprised of Tim Burkhart, Cedric Johnson, Greg Johnson and Stacy Johnson, all of Indianapolis, Norman and Jeremy Edwards of Seattle, Marti Ensign, Olympia WA, Nancy Ezell and Joy Foster of Lawrence KS, Ian and Alice Van Norman of Calgary, Alberta CA, and Gerald and Marlene Bates. Visits were made to Kibuye hospital and, by three members of the group, to Muyebe. Jeremy Edwards, media professional, collected material for a new HAU DVD. Three of us are board members of Friends of Hope Africa University.
Here is what two of the guests have to say about their observations:
Nancy Ezell, Lawrence KS: “Hope Africa University is remarkable. In such a short period of time it has become a real place of HOPE for east and central Africa. Buildings are up—with more going up while we watched—truly from scratch. Attractive students appear eager to learn from wise, godly professors. Everything is in place to affect their world for Christ. I feel so privileged to have seen this
exciting place.”
Tim Burkhart, Indianapolis IN: “Hope Africa University is a significant link in what God is doing to raise up Christian leaders and servants of God in this part of the world. With over 1400 students, HAU is training tomorrow’s leaders today by providing a quality Christian education. Graduates are now filling a wide array of professions, ministry, business, healthcare, and significant government leadership positions. These graduates are bringing the hope of Christ to a region of the world that is seeking to advance from poverty.”
Where do Hope Africa University students come from?
On February 11, with three of our US guests and Bishop Elie and Joy, we went to a mountain church, Nkondo, for worship with over 1500 enthusiastic Christians in a large burnt brick church they have erected in the past two years. This is an area which has suffered dreadfully from the war. A high proportion of the worshipers were women, many of them widows, some widows of pastors I had known when I was superintendent of this district. Many hugged us warmly, almost desperately, and, as we embraced them, we felt just bones. They have recently suffered a second blow, famine, as flooding and heavy rains have washed out their crops. A food distribution was conducted, with no advance notice lest the crowd overwhelm the provisions on hand. Every person, man, woman, and child received a portion of beans and a portion of corn, primarily for seed, since this is the planting season, and for nourishment Women with babies on their backs received a double share. In conversation with one of the leaders I asked, “Do you have any students from this district at Hope Africa University?” With a proud smile he replied, “Four.” Tears came to my eyes as I reflected on these noble people and the meaning to them, in their remote location, of a university called ‘Hope,’---and that the same could be said in the hundreds of scattered homes and villages and even refugee camps which send students.
Then I think of you who give to make this school possible—to finance dorm rooms which will house students you will likely never see, or scholarships to make it possible for a poor student, whom you will likely never meet, to have an education, or construction costs for buildings to house the scholarly activity of hundreds of earnest students you may never know—and I praise the Lord for you, for your vision and faithfulness in investing in transformed lives who, in turn, have the potential to strengthen the church, and transform a whole region of Africa for good and the gospel. During our recent nearly month long time in Africa we met many of these wonderful students, worshiped with them in small groups, visited with them on our porch, prayed with some, laying hands on them for special needs. What a privilege for all of us to have a part in this Christ-centered leadership factory called Hope Africa University.
News of the University
Over 600 new students were received bringing the enrollment, in all categories—pre-university, evening and Saturday, fulltime students—to over 1400. The new Music Center is up and will serve as temporary library until the large classroom/administration building is completed. The library was moved in a day and a half into its new more spacious location and the vacated area immediately cut into two much needed classrooms. The Student Center/Dining Commons is fully operative. The dormitory is nearly complete and mostly occupied (Finishing was being done on a few remaining rooms.). Coming into the campus at night, with the rooms all lit, it is a beautiful sight. Forms were being laid for the perimeter bond beam on the foundation for the new three-story classroom/admin building. The superstructure will now begin to be visible. It is an enormous building which will virtually house the whole university when completed-- including the library, the medical school, the radio/TV station, classrooms, offices, labs and large lecture rooms. A preliminary estimate shows that our student body continues to be about 30% African women, a noteworthy accomplishment in the culture.
1. Eighteen rooms are still available for sponsoring. We have called this our ‘Hall of Fame’ because it contains, represented on the door plaques, lasting recognition of an amazing repertoire of loved ones and servants of God—missionaries, bishops and pastors (African and American), family members, Sponsorship of a room is $2500.
2. Shares in the new classroom/administration building. The need is $950,000. We are offering shares in this building in multiples of $1000. We are spending on its construction $40,000 per month with a crew of 60-75 working hard every day. We want to maintain momentum and see this building completed within two years.
3. Expansion of the church building to accommodate one half of the student body at a time in chapel.
Cost $40,000.
4. Scholarships: Due to rising food prices it has been necessary to increase the cost of board.
a. Boarding students in the dormitory, $1000 per year.
b. Boarding students from outside Burundi, $1,150 (Extra is for documents.)
c. In country, non boarding students, $750.
All gifts for the University should be sent to:
Need for Doctors: Hope Africa University is one of three universities in the country of Burundi designated to have a medical school. A consultant in the Medical Ministry tells us that, due to the ‘brain drain’ and retirements they need 50 new doctors per year to stay abreast of the present level and, if they are to make progress, they need 100 per year
One Small Story:
One of our HAU students made an appointment to see me. He is a war orphan, from one of our churches near Kibogora in Rwanda. In the routine of registration he had been refused admittance to second year in nursing because he had no money. He had been able to support himself during his first year but now his funds were exhausted. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his bank book. It showed the withdrawals over the past year and now showed a balance of less than $25, On the basis of a potential donor he has not been able to contact he was allowed in. Later he told me, he has switched to medicine. ( One day, in God’s will, about six years from now, there will be a medical doctor graduated from Hope Africa University.) Can you see why we say this University is changing the world?
Where are our graduates? Here are some we can track: One of our grads is National Director for the Repatriation of Refugees. One is number three in the largest coffee exporting company in Burundi. One, a young woman, is an advisor for internal affairs in the office of the President. Several are high school teachers in Kenya. Others are magistrates in Burundi. Two are working for Food for the Hungry and three are employed by World Vision.
Marlene, Karen Parsons, Elizabeth Marquarte at Work on the card catalogue in the new library location.
Foundation forms on the new classroom/admin building.
MA in Theology students. Among them are three superintendents including Michael Ibanga from Nigeria (next to me)
Graduation sermon on "Being a Good Neighbor" as a solution for conflict.
The new dormitory, housing over 200 students, a glorious sight at night with all the windows lit up.
A busy campus.
Graduation February 14, 2007. It wouldn't be a celebration without drums
A proud Mama.
