Happy Anniversary, New Hope

By Charlie Barebo

Gaderu students watch the construction of their new school

Join me in celebrating the second anniversary of the New Hope Campaign! As we pass this milestone, may we join in a prayer of thanksgiving. We have received $3,900,000 in gifts and pledges, $300,000 more than our initial goal and just $200,000 short of our stretch goal of $4,100,000. Of this we have collected over $2,400,000. Despite the troubling economic times, pledge fulfillment rates remain high. Your pledge commitment is a sacred one. You will bring the gift of the Gospel to a child.

College library nearing completion

The college is a building or two away from completion. Classes have started and up to thirty students should be enrolled in the fall semester. Two of our five primary schools have been built. Classes are currently being held in the new Romogi and Gaderu New Hope schools. In Northeastern PA we have awarded our first six grants. Talk about making haste!

Romogi primary students praying the school prayer

Of course, much hard work was done in planning the New Hope Campaign. The campaign began roughly five years ago. Early visits by Randall Fegley, Archdeacon Rick Cluett and, of course, Bishop and Diana Marshall set the foundation for our progress. “Without vision the people will perish.” We did sweat the details before going public. Early work done by Archdeacon Stringfellow, Char Horst and Dale Bateman helped shape the campaign. The diocesan staff had New Hope added to their daily work load.

Romogi students in their New Hope classroom

They have all done their share and I’d like to thank them publicly; Bishop Paul, Bill Lewellis, Rosie Hummel, Ely Valentin, Kat Lehman, Cindy Bakos and Bruce Reiner have all gone beyond the call of duty in making New Hope a big success. No one will ever know the extra hours and dangers my travel companion and “partner in mission” Archdeacon Stringfellow has been through and he deserves our thanks.

Second student dorm

World Mission Committee members, past and present, have developed and sustained a partner relationship with the Diocese of Kajo Keji that has enabled the New Hope Campaign. I’d like to thank them all and, in particular, the Trepagniers, Jo and Trip, for all they have done. We have spent many an hour working through the details and issues and as a Diocese we are blessed by their ministries.

VSAT enables modern communication

Special recognition is offered to Trip who did yeoman’s work in applying for a $48,000 UTO grant to pay for a wing at the Gaderu School. We were awarded this grant at General Convention. Our Diocese received special mention for New Hope. In a time when the deputies approved a resolution urging churches to make a “sacrificial” donation of seven-tenths of a percent of their budgets to mission, the Diocese of Bethlehem is donating roughly four times our annual budget over a five year period. This is following Christ’s command, my friends; this is the stuff of leadership.

Keys to Romogi Primary School are handed over to the Headmaster

The faith of the community we are linked to in Kajo Keji is vibrant. Though they want for food and knowledge, they believe the passage in John’s Gospel (6:24-35) where Christ tells us: “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry.” One of the important ways we come to Jesus is help bear one another’s burdens. Even in times of severe recession America remains a land of plenty. The faith of our brothers and sisters in Kajo Keji can help feed the spiritual hunger of those here who are weighed down with material abundance. Honoring or increasing your pledge to New Hope is a gift of the spirit. Let us give to New Hope, to those who need it most.

[CEO of Otterbine Barebo, Inc, Charlie Barebo is chair of the New Hope Campaign, a member of Diocesan Council, the World Mission Committee and Development Office for the Diocese of Bethlehem on Bishop Paul’s staff. He was also a deputy to the recent General Convention of the Episcopal Church.]