Harvesting Hope: Humura 2025 in Review

Harvesting Hope: Humura 2025 in Review

This year, we celebrated one of our most beautiful and impactful seasons yet with the Humura Program, a space where women come together to find rest, encouragement, and hope. “Humura” means “be comforted” in Kinyarwanda, and that is exactly what this program continues to offer: a place of peace, laughter, and shared strength for women walking through life’s challenges.

In 2025, Humura reached more than 60 women, each one bringing her story, her struggles, and her joy to the circle. Throughout the year, we welcomed inspiring speakers who helped us explore topics like managing stress, caring for our families, and keeping faith through hard times. Even when life felt heavy (when jobs were scarce or worries were many) our gatherings were full of laughter, shared meals, and encouragement. Every meeting reminded us that healing happens not in isolation, but in community.

One of the highlights of this year was our apple-picking outing, a day filled with fun and fresh air! Mothers and children came together to enjoy the sunshine, pick apples, and simply relax after months of hard work. The laughter of the children and the smiles of the mothers made it a day to remember. We also enjoyed a peaceful walk through the Louisville Zoo, giving everyone time to reflect, talk, and enjoy God’s creation. It was the perfect way to close our year joyful, refreshing, and full of gratitude.

As we wrap up this year’s program, our hearts are overflowing with thanks to all who made it possible, especially our sponsors. Your support helped us create a safe and uplifting space for women to rest, learn, and grow. Every meal shared, every story told, every smile exchanged… it all happened because of your generosity and prayers.

We’re already looking forward to what 2026 will bring! With continued support, we hope to welcome even more women, explore new topics, and create more joyful memories together. Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue this journey of hope, healing, and community.

Harvesting Hope: Humura 2025 in Review

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Three Fairs, One Purpose: Building Bridges of Hope

Three Fairs, One Purpose: Building Bridges of Hope

Over the past few weeks, Gate of Hope has had the privilege of participating in several inspiring community events that reminded us just how powerful connection and conversation can be. We were honored to take part in three tabling opportunities at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS), Northeast Christian Church, and the University of Louisville’s 9th Annual Nonprofit Fair. Each event offered a unique space to share about our mission, meet new people, and invite others into the work God is doing through Gate of Hope.

As we think back on these events, we are filled with gratitude, not just for the platforms to share what we do, but for the reminder that we are not alone in this mission. There is something deeply powerful about stepping out into the community and witnessing people’s eyes light up as they learn about Gate of Hope. It reminds us that the work we do matters not just to the families we serve, but to those who want to be part of something meaningful and transformative.

These events have reminded us of the beauty of community and the many hearts that are being stirred toward compassion and service. We are so grateful for the opportunity to be out in the community sharing what we do, and we look forward to finding even more spaces to continue this work.

As we look ahead, we are excited to find even more spaces where we can share about the work God is doing through Gate of Hope. And that’s where you come in.

Do you know of a church, Bible study group, campus ministry, or community gathering that would be open to hearing about our work?

We would love the opportunity to come share the mission and story of Gate of Hope with your community… whether it’s during a Sunday service, a small group, or a special event. If something comes to mind, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Together, we can continue to build bridges of hope, healing, and dignity in Louisville and beyond.

Three Fairs, One Purpose: Building Bridges of Hope

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Rooted in Hope, Growing Together: Preparing for Give for Good Louisville

Rooted in Hope, Growing Together: Preparing for Give for Good Louisville

September 18 is almost here, and with it comes Give for Good Louisville, a 24-hour day of generosity that unites our city around causes that matter. For Gate of Hope Ministries International, this day is more than fundraising; it’s about amplifying voices, telling stories of resilience, and walking together in hope.

This year, we’ve set a goal of $15,000 to support four of our most vital programs:

  • Healing & Trauma Recovery for refugee elders and survivors
  • Safety & Empowerment for young girls through our Tabara Initiative
  • Dignity & Support for women and single mothers overcoming violence
  • Education & Mentorship for youth navigating life in a new culture

Every dollar raised helps families find safety, dignity, and belonging here in Louisville. And if together we reach $30,000, the impact doubles expanding trauma healing, outreach, farm-based therapy, and education programs even further.

But here’s the truth: we can’t do this alone.

Your gift matters, yes. But so does your voice. Every time you share our story with your friends, family, church, or workplace, you’re helping refugee families feel seen, supported, and embraced by this community.

Will you walk with us in two simple ways?

  1. Bookmark our giving page and give on September 18 during Give for Good Louisville. Whether it’s $25 or $250, your gift grows hope.
  2. Share our campaign with your networks. Repost our content on social media, forward this blog, or simply tell someone why Gate of Hope matters to you.

Because healing shouldn’t have to wait. And because together, we can build a future rooted in hope.

Join us on September 18. Help us reach our $15,000 goal and beyond.

Interested in helping spread the word? Contact us at [email protected].

Rooted in Hope, Growing Together: Preparing for Give for Good Louisville

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A Beautiful Beginning: Himbaza’s Soft-Launch!

A Beautiful Beginning: Himbaza’s Soft-Launch!

Saturday, July 12th, something special unfolded, our soft launch of the Himbaza Initiative!

The room was filled with laughter, worship, prayer, and praise as children, parents, pastors, board members, and community partners came together to celebrate the start of this joyful new chapter.

Himbaza (which means “Praise” in Kinyarwanda) is a program designed to empower East African refugee churches and families by creating inclusive worship spaces where children are seen, heard, and spiritually engaged.

The soft-launch was more than an event, it was a glimpse into the future we’re building together: one where all generations can worship side by side in love and unity.

We’re so grateful for everyone who joined us and to those walking with us on this journey. With your prayers and support, the best is yet to come.

A Beautiful Beginning: Himbaza’s Soft-Launch!

Want to get involved? Contact us at [email protected].

Want to see more? Follow us on Instagram for photos and updates.

Let’s continue to praise the Lord together! Himbaza!

A Beautiful Beginning: Himbaza’s Soft-Launch!

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Together at the Farm: Gosheni Pamoja Celebration Is Almost Here

Together at the Farm: Gosheni Pamoja Celebration Is Almost Here

In just a few days, Gosheni Farm will open for a celebration that brings together everything Gate of Hope stands for community, joy, healing, and hope. 

We’re inviting you to join us for Gosheni Pamoja: Come and See Community Day, a day for families, friends, and neighbors to connect, play, and experience life at the farm.

Saturday, July 19th from 11am–3pm at Gosheni Farm – 3917 Terry Ct, Louisville, KY 40216

This event has been months in the making, and it shows. Our team has been preparing the fields, cleaning up play areas, and creating something truly special. From outdoor games to fresh food from the land, every corner of the farm will reflect the hard work and heart of our community.

To our volunteers, staff, and board members, thank you. You’ve turned vision into reality, and we’re deeply grateful.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just curious about what we’re doing at Gate of Hope, we’d love for you to be part of this moment.

We’re still looking for volunteers!

If you’re willing to lend a hand (whether for setup, welcoming guests, guiding activities, or helping clean up) we would love to have you join the team. Events like this are powered by community, and your time can help make the day smooth, safe, and memorable for everyone who attends. If you can help, even for an hour or two, please sign up or reach out. 

For more information, contact Esperance at [email protected].

Let’s celebrate together, Pamoja!

Together at the Farm: Gosheni Pamoja Celebration Is Almost Here

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Follow the Journey: Gate of Hope Is Growing Online

Something new is growing at Gate of Hope… and this time, it’s digital.

Follow the Journey: Gate of Hope Is Growing Online

For years, our work has been rooted in quiet spaces: in healing circles, farm rows, church basements, and community rooms. We’ve been planting seeds of hope, rebuilding lives after trauma, and walking alongside our communities.

Now, we’re inviting you to see it.

We’ve launched a new Instagram account: @gateofhope_ and this time, we’re using social media to tell the story with intention.

You’ll see what we do.
You’ll meet the people who make it possible.
You’ll understand why programs like Gosheni, Tabara, Himbaza, and our Women’s Support initiatives exist, and why they matter now more than ever.

Over the next few weeks, we’re counting down to something special: a new way of sharing what’s always been here.

We’ve been doing the work.
Now, we’re showing it in a way that’s more accessible, visual, and consistent.

If you’ve ever volunteered, given, prayed, or stood with us your impact will be reflected here, too.

Follow us on Instagram at @gateofhope_, and help us grow a movement that’s rooted in healing, dignity, and hope.

This is just the beginning.

This is Gate of Hope.

Follow the Journey: Gate of Hope Is Growing Online

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Introducing the Himbaza Initiative: A Joyful New Chapter at Gate of Hope

Introducing the Himbaza Initiative: A Joyful New Chapter at Gate of HopeThere’s a saying: “It takes a village to raise a child”.But what happens when the village is scattered across cultures, languages, and trauma?

For months now, we’ve been prayerfully, and quietly preparing for something big. And now, it’s official: Gate of Hope Ministries International is launching a new initiative called Himbaza, and it’s one of the most hopeful, and heartfelt program, I’ve ever been part of.

The name Himbaza comes from Kinyarwanda language and means “Praise.” It’s such a beautiful word, and it captures the heart of what we’re setting out to do: to help East African refugee children find their voice in worship and feel at home in the church service.

Himbaza initiative will empower 12 East African refugee congregations to design worship and prayer practices that are joyful, inclusive, and deeply meaningful for all generations including children. By the end of the program, we expect to reach over 900 children with spiritually enriching experiences that encourage growth, connection, and praise.

Over the next five years, the initiative will offer:

  • Bi-weekly Saturday workshops for children
  • Quarterly training for pastors, church volunteers, and parents
  • Creative programs that integrate music, drama, storytelling, and Bible-based literacy

We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment through its Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, for partnering with us on this vital work. Their support makes it possible to address the generational and cultural gaps that often leave children feeling disconnected from traditional church settings.

We’re just getting started, and we’d love for you to walk with us.

If you’re someone who cares about children, faith, or refugee communities, there’s a place for you here. We are actively looking for partners, volunteers, and supporters who want to help make this vision a reality.

If that’s you, please reach out to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. Yes indeed: ” It takes a village to raise a child”

Let us praise the Lord together (Psalms 34:3)!

Introducing the Himbaza Initiative: A Joyful New Chapter at Gate of Hope

From Pain to Purpose: How One Refugee Mom Found Healing at Gosheni Farm

From Pain to Purpose: How One Refugee Mom Found Healing at Gosheni Farm

When she first arrived in Louisville in 2019, just before the pandemic, she had nearly given up hope. A refugee mother with a severely injured left arm, she had endured multiple surgeries and painful physical therapy sessions, none of which seemed to help. The pain was unbearable, language barriers made communication difficult, and transportation challenges often kept her isolated. Though she had been referred for physical therapy, she eventually stopped going. The pain, the confusion, and the loneliness were simply too much.

But God had a different plan.

Through the agency that welcomed her to the U.S., she was connected to Gate of Hope Ministries. At the time, she couldn’t do much with her injured arm, but we invited her to join our Gosheni Farm team anyway. We told her: “Come as you are. Use the hand that works. Just be with people.”

At first, she could only pull weeds with her good hand. But being outside, surrounded by others, and participating in something meaningful began to shift something in her. Slowly, without any new medical intervention, her injured arm started to move again. A little at first, then more. Before long, she was using both hands. Today, she is one of the most dedicated and productive farmers at Gosheni.

What no therapy center could fully provide, she found in the healing rhythms of the land, in the warmth of a community that welcomed her, and in the quiet restoration that comes when people are seen, loved, and given purpose.

Her story is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we create spaces of belonging and service. At Gate of Hope, we believe healing doesn’t always come in clinical settings; sometimes, it grows out of the soil, alongside tomatoes and mustard greens, watered by faith, community, and God’s grace.

A Journey to Stability

A Journey to Stability

*For privacy and security reasons, I have changed the name in this story.

At Gate of Hope, we often meet women who are facing overwhelming challenges, women who simply need a hand to steady themselves as they step into a new chapter of life. Zawadi is one of those women.

When Zawadi first came to my office, she was exhausted and overwhelmed, unsure of where to turn or how to move forward. She had no safe place to call home and didn’t know where to seek help. But through other women in the resettled refugee community, she had heard about Gate of Hope and decided to reach out. 

She wasn’t asking for a handout. She was asking for a chance. A chance to regain her stability, to provide for her children, and to create a future where they could thrive.

Thanks to the generosity of our Gate of Hope supporters, we were able to step in and provide exactly what she needed. We secured an affordable apartment for Zawadi and covered her first three months of rent, giving her the breathing room to focus on her next steps.

But stability is about more than just a roof over one’s head, it’s about having the essentials to start fresh. With the help of our donors, we fully furnished her new home and stocked it with clothing, food, and household supplies. She and her children could settle in with dignity, without the immediate stress of wondering where their next meal would come from or how they would sleep at night.

With her immediate needs met, Zawadi was able to shift her focus toward the future. Instead of scrambling for survival, she could put her energy into adjusting to her new life, exploring opportunities to support her family, and creating a plan to sustain them long-term.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of those who give to Gate of Hope. To every donor who helped secure Zawadi’s home and provide for her family’s needs, thank you. Your support has given her more than just shelter; it has given her a chance to start again with confidence and hope.

As we continue our work, we remain committed to walking alongside women like Zawadi, offering them the support and resources they need to build a new life. If you want to be part of this mission, we invite you to join us in making a difference, one woman at a time.

Lessons in Faith: Trusting God’s Provision

Lessons in Faith: Trusting God’s Provision

The year 2025 started with a powerful reminder that God is in control of everything, including the weather. Here in Louisville, we experienced a snowfall unlike any seen in many years. The beauty of the snow-covered streets brought joy to many, but for me, this winter also came with an unexpected challenge that tested my faith and trust in God’s plan.  

On the afternoon of December 16, 2024, my car (named Traveler by one of my young ones for the many miles that it travels) began smoking so badly that I could barely see the road ahead. It was alarming and unexpected. After pulling over and inspecting the vehicle, it was determined that there was a leak on the right side of the engine. What followed was even troubling, the cost of repairing the car would be higher than the car’s actual value.  

At that moment, I found myself praying for provision to repair the engine. My mind was set on what seemed like the logical solution, fixing Traveler so I could continue using it. But God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His plans often unfold in ways we do not expect.  

While I was focused on finding a way to repair the car, God was orchestrating something much greater. A friend of mine strongly believed that replacing the engine was a temporally option and aimed to help with a lasting solution. She planted a seed of hope in that direction and within two weeks, something incredible happened! God provided the funds not just for an engine, but for a whole newer car that would last much longer than Traveler ever could.  

This experience was a humbling lesson in faith. Often, we limit our prayers to what we think is possible, asking God for just enough to get by. But God, in His wisdom and abundance, provides beyond what we can imagine. I was praying for an engine, but God had already planned a newer car. I was holding onto the past, but God was preparing me for the future. Thank you to all those who donated to make this a reality, your partnership and support means the world to me.

As we move forward in 2025, may we learn to seek God with unwavering faith. May we trust Him not only in the challenges we face but also in the unexpected answers He provides. Even when things seem impossible in our own understanding, let us remember that nothing is impossible with God.  

Lessons in Faith: Trusting God’s Provision