With God, all things are possible. Nonetheless, if you had told me a year ago that a smallish congregation in the Niagara Peninsula countryside would have been able to raise an extra $65,000 for a project on the other side of the world, I would not have thought it possible. However, the AIDS pandemic in Africa, of which Bob Giuliano writes so movingly in the article on page 28, has left millions of orphans. And a couple dozen of those kids, who live at the New Hope Centre in Swaziland, have adopted us and taken us into their hearts. And we are changed.

Swaziland has one million people and 130,000 of those people are children orphaned by AIDS. A whole generation of leadership-police officers, teachers, fathers, mothers, nurses, journalists, and civil servants - wiped out. Dr. Elizabeth Hynd has established the New Hope Centre and the children adopted into the family there experience a loving Christian home, hope, a future and training to become that next generation of leadership. Pelham Community Church became a part of the New Hope Centre family when a friend of the congregation, journalist and television producer Denise Lodde, told us about her visit to this extraordinary place. Our imaginations and our hearts were captivated and we knew God was calling us to partnership with the centre. Dr. Hynd's visit with us while in Canada to attend the International AIDS Conference last year, was the clincher.

The original goal of our project was to raise $100,000 to build a pre-school and a primary school for the New Hope Centre, home to children orphaned by AIDS. When a steering committee was formed the goal was quickly increased by a further $50,000 to cover the costs of finishing and furnishing the schools. It then became clear we were also being called to go and join in the work of the centre so we also committed to raising two teams of 10 persons to send to help with whatever stage of building work is happening in the summer of this year. So many gifted and capable people are answering the call to go that we are now sending three teams.

Congregations, individuals, business and corporations have contributed in amounts ranging from pocket change to $10,000. Balfour St. United Church in Brantford, Ontario collected coins in November and sent a cheque. Another nearby United Church made a substantial donation. Event fundraising has included a youth group luncheon, an alternative Christmas gift card program, a jewellery sale and a fundraising project partnership with E.L. Crossley, our local high school. Anniversary and Christmas Eve offerings were dedicated to the project. Since the congregation is absorbing the administrative costs, all monies donated go directly to the New Hope Centre.

When we sent our first installment of $20,000 in October we were gratified to hear, within a week, that machines had been booked to clear the earth. A week or so after that, we received photos showing the prepared building site. When the next installment went, the first week of January, within a couple of weeks we had photos of construction underway (see page 25).

As a community of faith, we are being profoundly blessed by our connection with the New Hope Centre. We are so thankful that the Holy Spirit is working this grace in us.

At Christmas this year, my gift from my three youngest children was a donation to the project and the attached note mentioned that this project had me "the most excited we've ever seen you about anything in your ministry." Even though I am such an extrovert that excitement seems like my default position, I think my kids might be right on this one. I've been in the pastorate for more than 25 fulfilling years and this project vies for first place in the exciting, fulfilling and enriching category. Thanks to Fellowship readers for your prayers, interest and support. Check the website for the latest news: www.projectnewhope.ca.

Rev. Dr. Diane Walker is minister of Pelham Community Church, a congregation of the United Church of Canada, and senior editor of Fellowship Magazine.