Nashville
Family Mission Trip
FirstHand Exposure
At Hope Haven Rwanda, we promote a culture of love and respect within our staff, faculty, students and the families that we serve. This is a critical part of our mission to transform Rwandan families through a holistic approach to education and discipleship.
As a member of a mission team, you will be able to experience the transformation that is happening firsthand, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus, demonstrating His love in Rwanda. As God uses you to serve others, you will be transformed as well!!
Here is what you can expect when you visit Hope Haven Rwanda:
- Total Immersion: immersing you in Hope Haven’s community development program established in Murindi, Rwanda, just 20 minutes from Kigali International Airport
- Personal Strengths: utilizing your strengths to continue and improve Hope Haven Rwanda’s ministry within the community
- Creating new self-sustaining projects: sustaining current projects or creating and building a new self-sustainability project within our organization
- Personal Development: granting you the opportunity to grow personally and spiritually as you serve in a foreign country
- Life of Service: inspiring you to demonstrate a life of service and love
Dates
June 19 – July 2, 2023*
Matt and Mary Cooper will be available to travel to and from Rwanda from Nashville, TN with your family.
Families may also choose to travel on their own and meet in Kigali on June 20, 2023.
*Return date may change +/- one day
Cost
$1,100 + Airfare*
Your cost covers ground transportation to/from Kigali airport to the Hope Haven Rwanda campus, lodging and all meals on campus.
It also includes an excursion to Akagera National Park for an African safari and one-night stay at Akagera Game Lodge.
*Deposit of $200/person, max $500/family required when application is approved.
Activities and Projects
We are committed to our family mission trip participants by providing the most incredible experience possible!
Here are some of the projects and activities which are part of most trips to Hope Haven Rwanda:
School is the primary platform for ministry at Hope Haven Rwanda. Each participant will be assigned to one of our classrooms to connect with one team of teachers and 45 students. Approximately two hours each day will be spent serving in the classroom.
With guidance from our teachers, participants will build relationships, teach, lead games, puzzles and provide mentoring. Recess time will also be spent interacting with the students.
Service projects, home rebuilds, water access projects, community-wide worship events, children’s day camps, training on nutrition, hygiene, etc.
As a large Christian school, we have many opportunities for Bible teaching each week.
Walk to Kabuga Market, hike to the neighborhood well, where many of the locals fetch water each day, shop in Murindi market.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place for remembering and learning, explore the city of Kigali.
Shop at Kimironko Market, the largest market in Kigali, sample interesting local restaurants and other tourist attractions.
Experience an African safari in eastern Rwanda, alongside the Tanzanian border. Giraffe, elephants, zebra, baboons, hippos and lions are just a few of the exotic animals native to this area. Remember to bring your camera and binoculars!
For more information contact Mary Cooper at 512.791.6701
or marysullivancooper@icloud.com
Meet the LEADERS
Matt and Mary Cooper
Your family will be led through this life-altering experience by Matt and Mary Cooper. The Coopers are parents to seven kids, including Ellie (CPA Junior) and Caroline (CPA Freshman). They are long time supporters of Hope Haven. Matt has visited Rwanda three times and Mary has visited once.
Susan Hollern
In addition to Matt and Mary you will spend your time with Susan Hollern, Founder and President of Hope Haven Rwanda.
Susan loves to invite others into the family of Hope Haven Rwanda, and you will experience firsthand the amazing work God is doing in Rwanda.