Paul Rudatsikira

CNN Special Report: One Child At A Time

2008-07-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know that according to the World Health Organization the lack of clean water and sanitation contributes to the leading causes of death of children under 5 ? Did you know that according to UNICEF an estimated 15 million children have lost parents to AIDS ?

These and other relevant information will be broadcast on a CNN Special report on the need to uplift the lives of children all over the world. The special report, “The Survival Project: One Child At A Time”, will be hosted by CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and it is going to be showing at 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM (ET).

I highly recommend the viewing of this program.

Grace & Peace,

Paul Rudatsikira, http://www.paulrudatsikira.com/

Kaká and faith above fame (A Christian story).

2008-06-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Kaká, the athlete whom Pelé described as "the outstanding talent of the moment" and who was named in Time Magazine 100 most influential people in the world, is less concerned with what people think of him and more on what God thinks. The title of best fútbol ("soccer") player on the planet is not as important as the title he has proclaimed to the world "I belong to Jesus".

The Brazilian soccer legend in the making believes in the importance of sharing the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Kaká has become the "Ambassador Against Hunger" for the World Food Program of the U.N. as he has actively worked to uplift those who are struggling in poverty all over the world. As a believer in Jesus Christ he understands that faith is not just manifested through words but also through action as Jesus said of the righteous "I was hungry, and you gave me food."

In a world that glorifies the rich and famous, it is refreshing to see Kaká has not become caught in the trap of self importance but instead has pointed the direction on the one who deserves all the glory, Jesus Christ. Kaká states in an interview with Atletas de Cristo;

"To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is. Stop eating cookies, while God offers us a banquet."

There is a great pressure that we all face to live our lives by the expectations of others and to be politically correct by blending in. But Jesus says in Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Kaka, my dear brother in the faith of Jesus Christ, I too belong to Jesus Christ. He changed my life, put my feet on solid ground and gave me the peace that passess all understanding.

In my life, I have been face to face with what so many people spend their entire lives chasing after; I have seen those with wealth that is astronomical, fame and power that is consuming and I count all of these things as nothing compared to the awesome gift of knowing Jesus Christ, who is ”Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6
For the reader who is reading this blog and does not know what I am speaking about, I want to tell you that it is not by accident that you are reading this. God has a purpose for your life that is beyond what you can imagine for yourself, family traditions or society pressures. God loved you so much that he sent Jesus (his only begotten son) to die on the cross that through faith in him you might be saved. ”Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

Kaká with the President of Brazil Lula

John 17:3 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Grace & Peace,

Paul Rudatsikira

http://www.paulrudatsikira.com/

Social Entrepreneurship For The Next Generation (Youth Conference in Rwanda)

2008-05-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

I am going to be leading a delegation of 8 youth leaders made up of alumni and students from Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, LLU and the University of Alberta as we going to be traveling to Rwanda to host a youth conference which will offer 12 workshops on Social Entrepreneurship, Leadership Development and educational advancement/scholarship opportunities. The name of the conference is “Social Entrepreneurship For The Next Generation” and it will be for 100 Rwandan students (50 College, 50 High School) for five days of workshops and real life training on how they can utilize the lessons they learn to uplift their community, continent and world.

Paul Rudatsikira on tour with Rwanda Children Dance, Drum & Singing troupe (Hope Tour)

2008-01-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

Harvard University Speech (Harvard Model United Nations). December 7, 2007.

2007-12-30T13:57:00.000-08:00

Harvard University Speech (Harvard Christian Impact). December 5, 2007.

2007-12-30T13:55:00.000-08:00

Yale University Speech (Yale Students for UNICEF). December 4, 2007

2007-12-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

Stanford University Speech. October 24, 2007

2007-11-19T15:27:00.001-08:00

Chris Tomlin Concert....LA Speech & TV Interview

2007-11-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Labor of Love

2007-06-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

As I grew up in the U.S., I began to realize the monumental importance of thinking outside of the box by thinking outside of myself. The temptation was there to distance myself from the struggle of people in Africa but I felt the calling in my heart by God to not forget where I came from but instead use it as an inspiration to make a difference in the lives of others. I began to realize this in my teens that I had a responsibility to be a voice, face and human connection for the African people so that I can utilize the opportunities that God has given me for the greater good. This began when I was a junior in high school and has continued up to his moment.

It was last year that I formed the non-profit, Africa Global Partnership, Inc. to be a bridge here in the U.S. for leaders and institutions all over the world that desire to do good work in Africa. God has provided for my over and over again and he has brought many individuals my way who have seen the vision and have been an encouragement to this labor of love.

Living in the U.S.

2007-06-08T04:13:00.000-07:00

When my family and I moved to the U.S., it was not just a move to another country, but it was a move from the life and death uncertainty of our native land. But, even oceans away, our hearts are with the people of Rwanda who have experienced the unspeakable. For our family, we lost more than 400 relatives in the genocide that wiped out more than 1 million people in 100 days.

We moved to the U.S. with two suitcases but with a vision and hope that was breathed into our lives from God almighty. He has provided for our family over and over again throughout the years and has blessed us in the U.S. more than we could have ever imagined.

2 Timothy 4:17-18
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Early Years....Whom Shall I Fear ?

2007-06-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

I was born as a Rwandan citizen in the neighboring country of Burundi to two of the most loving parents in the world, Emmanuel & Jeanne Rudatsikira. My dad's background is in Medicine and Public Health (MD, DrPH) while my mother background is as a Registered Nurse. I have two older brothers (Michael & Jean Baptist) and one younger sister (Grace).

When the genocide broke out in our native country of Rwanda, we were living in Burundi and by an act of God, we were able to received asylum to the United States as Rwandan refugees. To my knowledge, we were the only Rwandan citizens to receive asylum to the U.S.

Psalms 27:1-31

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked came against me

To eat up my flesh,

My enemies and foes,

They stumbled and fell.

3 Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.

Day # 6 (During the day), April 29.

2007-05-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

It was a blessing to join Pastor Eustache Karangua at his church in Kigali. It was uplifting to worship Jesus Christ and fellowship with his believers in the House of God.

Day # 5 (April 28)....we were hosted by Maryhill Old Girls Association (MOGAR)".

2007-05-15T02:04:00.000-07:00

In the afternoon, I joined up with the team as we were hosted by Maryhill Old Girls Association (MOGAR)".

Fourth Day (April 27)...Visiting Schools.

2007-05-15T01:05:00.000-07:00

Our fourth day in Rwanda was a day in which we had the pleasure of visiting Sonrise Academy in the rural side of Rwanda and Fawe Academy in the Capital City (Both high ranking schools)....We took the helecopter to visit the rural side of Rwanda to visit Sonrise Academy. It is a Christian academy made up of primarly orphans. We were touched to see first hand the work that they are doing to help these young children.

We also visited FAWE Academy which is an all girls schools which aims at empowering young women to be the next leaders of their generation. I was touched to be able to spend time at their school meeting the students, teachers and administrators.

Third Day (Afternoon)....Meeting with President

2007-05-15T00:53:00.000-07:00

In the afternoon, on the third day, we had a meeting with President Paul Kagame and some of the members of his cabinent at his office in Kigali.

Third Day (Morning), April 26

2007-05-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

In the morning, on our third day in Rwanda, we took a helecopter ride to see the beauty of the nation from the top.

Second Day in Rwanda (April 25)

2007-05-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

This was our second day in Rwanda. The first two pictures is of our morning meeting discussing our plans and goals for the trip. The third picture is of me with Sandrali Sebakara, who is the architect of the Genocide Museum in the capital city of Rwanda. The next two pictures is of the entire team going to the Museum to learn more about the tragic events of 1994 (This was an emotional experience for us all).

First Night in Rwanda (Hotel Arrival).... April 24

2007-05-14T23:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends.....Sorry for the long delay.....I will start to post some of my pictures from Rwanda......These two pictures below show the excitement that was in the air when we arrived in Rwanda.....In these two pictures, I am introducing my two relatives to the entire team of investors. What a BLAST.

Good-News (Passport, Meetings, Rwanda).

2007-04-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

HALLELUIAH : ) Thank you for your prayers brothers and sisters...I received a new U.S. Passport from the State Department today and I am scheduled to fly to Rwanda in a few days.....The unforeseen delay of loosing my passport while flying to Rwanda on Monday actually worked for the good as God in his masterplan had it in mind for me to be in the U.S. this week.

I attended meetings this week that were not previously scheduled due to my plans to be in Rwanda this week. Just today, I had a productive meeting with Dr. France Cordova (Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside). In the afternoon, I received an opportunity to speak at a Maui Millionaires Conference in San Diego about the good that comes from people using their influence and affluence for the greater good. So many gracious people from this event were very excited to get involved in the work that I am doing and wanted to know of the many ways that they could be of help…..When I think of all that has happened this week, the key biblical verse that comes to mind is Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

My friends, if you can imagine the stars, sun and moon in their place, the orbit of planet earth in a perfect tilt at the exact angle for living conditions for mankind, the universe, the galaxy, all the awesome physical intricacies of the invisible and visible world that encompasses the life around us. What is it about you and I that The Creator is mindful of us, that he is listening to our prayers? O Lord, when I think of all that you have done, what you are doing and will continue to do for all of eternity, all I can say is thank you Jesus.

Grace & Peace, Paul

Psalm 8:3-4

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?

First Update (U.S. Passport lost)....Pray for Trip.

2007-04-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

Let me explain what happens when your U.S. Passport disappears while you are in an airplane going back to your native country. The itinerary was to fly from LAX to Atlanta to Brussels to Rwanda. But from Atlanta to Brussels, my U.S. Passport disappeared into thin air and I did not realize that it had vanished until I was at the security check point at Brussels airport. When I realized that my passport was missing, I went straight back to the airplane and check it thoroughly with the crew but nothing was there. The Brussels airport security told me that I had to fly back to the U.S. as I could not enter their country without a passport.

I was told that people in Rwanda were in tears at the airport when they received the shocking news about what had occurred during my flight. They had organized to have a big welcome at the airport for me as they had different choirs and people from all over the country had come to personally greet me at the airport. Their joyful anticipation was filled with sadness when they received the news about my predicament.

Everything happens for a reason. Please pray about this as I am trying to schedule an appointment with the U.S. Consulate in LA to see if they can expedite a new passport in one day in order for me to travel to Rwanda by the latest Monday. Let's pray about this and I will definitely keep you posted as to what takes place.

Grace & Peace, Paul

RWANDA here I come

2007-04-16T00:57:00.000-07:00

RWANDA here I come. Miracle after miracle has lead to this journey back to my native country (April 16-May 8). So, as you can imagine, this trip is especially touching to my heart, mind and soul. As I spend the next three weeks in the land of my ancestors, I will share the sights, sounds and atmosphere with you so that you can experience this journey with me. Get ready for an adventure.

Grace & Peace, Paul

PS: To all University students.....UCR, Harvard, UCLA, Stanford, Pepperdine, Texas University, NYU, Florida University, Columbia University, Yale etc. etc. On my return to the states, I am planning on sharing my experiences as well as the many ways that students can be involved in this movement to make a positive difference in our world. If you would like to be part of the coordinators on your campus, contact paul@africagp.org