RISE International

Team to Angola

Dec. 29, 2005 - Jan. 15, 2006

Stephanie & Lynn Cole,
Bonifacio Sessa & Salomon Soares

Messages from Lynn: PRE-TRIP

MID-TRIP

POST-TRIP

Stephanie, our 18 year old daughter, and I are traveling to Angola, leaving December 29 and returning on January 15th. We will be going to Benguela, a first for us, spending Saturday night with Jose and Eva Chipenda. Adriano Huambo and his family, friends we first met in the Osire Refugee Camp in May 2000, live in Benguela. Adriano is part of the RISE leadership team there and we will visit schools, meet with local leaders and the leadership team, and have the privilege of attending two school dedications.

From there we head to Bie, via Huambo. Pastor Haka, another dear friend and pastor from the Nangweshi Refugee Camp has returned to his home village near Huambo and we hope to reconnect with him--it is truly a delight to reunite with those we spent time with in refugee camps, now in Angola.

We will spend several days in and around Kuito in the Bie province, with a trip to Chilonda. Much time will be spent meeting with the leadership team, as we assess what has transpired, focus on best practices as we work to refine the process and plan for 2006. We will also visit Menongue for the first time, where 2 schools have been built.

I love traveling to Africa though there are now hurdles I never anticipated as I travel without Andrew--a sadness and void around all that we can no longer share. The time is always rich, often in unexpected ways. Please pray that our time will be productive, for much can be accomplished face to face, which cannot be understood and shared with limited and difficult communication. Pray for wisdom as we work as a team, and that we can offer hope and encouragement. I also ask for prayer for our other children…for though things can happen anywhere, anytime, it is hard to say goodbye.

  Adriano's Family 

Jan. 5, 2006--

Greetings and happy new year from Angola. Stephanie and I have spent the last few days in Bocoio in the Benguela Province. We have had the privilege of visiting the six RISE schools built here and you would be amazed and delighted by the enthusiasm and gratitude of the communities.  Several  of these have had no school for 29 years and Lomako, a very remote village, has never had a school. The churches, communities and leaders have truly worked together to make this happen, and the government officials have been incredibly supportive and grateful. School will begin in February with several thousand children in school that would not have been. You are truly making a difference here and I wish you could see the faces of these children!  Each place we have visited has asked us to send their greetings and thanks. 

Tomorrow we fly to Huambo and then take a taxi to Kuito.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Click here to view a Map of Angola for location of provinces.

Greetings to all! Stephanie and I have returned safely for which we are grateful. Re-entry is always a struggle for me on many levels…although it is wonderful to enter US airports, with order and efficiency. Some of you doubt those words, but you need only travel outside the country for affirmation.

Where do I begin to capture the experience and discoveries of the last two and a half weeks? We spent many hours in the back of trucks and land rovers, traveling over terrible roads (some of which were "reopened" after 30 years to get materials to the school sites) visiting 15 RISE schools, meeting with our local leadership teams, church and community leaders, and many government officials who welcome our help. Salomon Soares, our field coordinator, and Bonifacio Sessa, a recently graduated RISE sponsored student, accompanied us as they now both work with RISE in Angola--delightful and special young men! We traveled to three provinces, two for the first time. Benguela and Menongue--the country is beautiful, and amidst the many reminders of years of war and devastation, there is a tangible rebuilding and hope.