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A Message from our Founder Dr. J. Andrew Cole |
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I was born in Angola (1953); my home was the Chilonda Evangelical Mission in Bie Province. My parents, C. Donald and Naomi Cole, were missionaries there for 18 years and my boyhood years instilled in me a deep love and respect for Angola and her people. I currently live in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA. In 1997, my father, sister Olga and I returned to Angola for a first visit following a long absence. We discovered the devastating effects of war, but we also found an inspiring vitality and spirit in the people. As a result of that visit, I resolved to focus as much time as possible expressing my faith in Christ in as practical a way as I could: helping to mobilize people of goodwill to assist Angola's most vulnerable people--especially widows and orphans (See James 1:27). What is the most effective way to help the most vulnerable? Given the talents and resources given to us, we are convinced that the best way to help those in greatest need is to provide opportunities for education. Thus, we have resolved to join forces with Church and community leaders to rebuild the educational system in Angola; RISE is an organization established for that purpose. Our aim is to help enable the Church in Angola to rebuild schools that strengthen the mind and spirit. In addition to building the physical infrastructure, our aim is to encourage an excellent curriculum, teacher training, and an effective teaching philosophy that embraces the indigenous cultures while simultaneously bridging cultural differences and equipping students to succeed within the dominant culture. I am thrilled that you have an interest in Angola and earnestly pray that you will consider joining us in this effort to fulfill the Great Commission
Sincerely yours, |
