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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Grace to assume school governance Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove On Track moms embark on food and garden project Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove Man charged with trying to lure children Two houses burning in east Medford Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Evon "Bud" Pennington Charles H. Hackett Death Notices Robert Harvey Miller Leo Allen Zupan Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Surging Cavs rip Wizards Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Local swimmers land spots in state finals North second entering SWC semifinals North slides by Sheldon Varsity 541 College Sports Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Weisner keys OSU win over Colorado Utah hands OSU first home loss Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Raiders to face No. 16 Knights, No. 11 Cavs Pro Sports Surging Cavs rip Wizards Trail Blazers stymied by Jazz's defense Goosen takes rare lead into the weekend Westbrook leads Thunder past Mavs Singler goes to Thunder in deadline deal Community Sports Business Latest Stories Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Learn about Oregon's local crowdfunding options Blog: Random Acts of Kindness Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: Crime, intrigue and politics in Pennsylvania Voter bill secures a fundamental right Feb. 20: Letters to the editor 'Big' government is not so big after all Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Editorials Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Columns 'Big' government is not so big after all Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional Anniversary: Hofer Trail to Charismatic Conifers The Rocks Speak: Earth's old wrinkles Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Theater 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... 'A place of healing and a place of peace for these kids' Members of Medford's Water's Edge Community Church raise $30,000 to build an orphanage for Ugandan children A small Medford church has made its presence felt in a war-torn corner of East Africa. Comment By Samuel C. Wheeler MailTribune.com By Samuel C. Wheeler Posted Mar. 30, 2010 @ 12:01 am By Samuel C. Wheeler Posted Mar. 30, 2010 @ 12:01 am » Social News A small Medford church has made its presence felt in a war-torn corner of East Africa. Water's Edge Community Church has been open for less than a year, but its congregation of some 80 people has raised $30,000 to build an orphanage for 60 children near Kampala, Uganda. Founded and led by Pastor David Rapp, 56, the church practices what it calls "historic Christian faith" and is a part of what is called the "emerging church" movement. Proponents say it transcends labels of "conservative" or "liberal" to emphasize a commitment to dialogue and efforts to live their faith in a post-modern world. Rapp and Eric Dittmer, a member of the congregation, spent a week at the orphanage's 5-acre site in early March to check on the progress of construction, which began in January. Dittmer is a Southern Oregon University geology professor and water-management specialist. He assisted with a hydro-geology study at the orphanage, searching for potential well sites. The heavily forested, tropical property for the orphanage was a gift to Caleb Rukundo and his wife, Rhita, for the their work with Ugandan orphans. Rapp first met Rukundo in 2008 at an Amahoro ("peace") gathering in Kigali, Rwanda. Rukundo lost his home at the age of 7 and like many of the children in Uganda struggled to survive. Rebels known as the Lord's Resistance Army have been fighting the Ugandan government since 1986 in what has become Africa's longest-running conflict. More than 10,000 children have been abducted by rebels and forced to fight. "My life has never quite been the same since I met Caleb," Rapp said. "My heart has been broken more times in the last couple years than it ever has before." During the summer of 2009, shortly after starting Water's Edge, Rapp took 10 youth members of his congregation to visit the Rukundos, who house up to 20 children in their home and rent other dwellings around Kampala to house orphaned children. "What they are doing is absolutely incredible," Rapp said. "I don't think I've seen anything like it. They take in kids at risk and turn out intelligent young leaders." When Rapp returned home with the young people, they all knew they wanted to help. "We were all talking on the plane and the kids were just crazy enough to think we could do anything," Rapp said. One of the students, his daughter, Megan, 18, decided to raise money for the orphanage as part of her senior project at North Medford High School. She organized an auction at RoxyAnn Winery to get the ball rolling toward their goal of $30,000. She also has spoken at school assemblies to raise awareness about the poverty and challenges that Ugandans face each day. Donations from the congregation and contributions collected through Rapp's Web site helped meet the goal quickly. "We just decided that if there was any way under the sun, we would do this," he said. "It has just turned into a beautiful and exciting thing." Along with the main building, a shower building and cook house will stand on the property. Although funding for the buildings is complete, the church continues to raise money for the orphanage. The current goal, for drilling a well, is $9,000. The church also wants to raise an additional $1,200 to build a 2,000-gallon rain-catchment system for bathing and washing. "That home is the kind of legacy that I've always wanted to be a part of," Rapp said. "It's a place of healing and a place of peace for these kids." Rapp is planning a return to Uganda for the orphanage's opening on May 1. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was invited to the opening of what will be known as the Amahoro Children's Home, but Rapp doesn't know whether he will come, and to him it doesn't matter. "I just know for the rest of my life ... whatever years I got left, I want to spend them helping children." For more information about the Water's Edge Community Church, visit www.davidrapp.com or www.twecc.com. Samuel C. Wheeler is a Mail Tribune intern. Reach him at [email protected]. By Samuel C. Wheeler MailTribune.com By Samuel C. 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