Africa 2023

 As I sit in the Amsterdam airport awaiting our flight back to the U.S., I am reflecting on all of the beautiful interactions we have had over the last couple of weeks. It began as six of us gathered at our church, just outside the Pearl City of Jamestown, NY, to embark upon a journey that would cover over 8,000 miles on our way to Uganda, which is known as the Pearl of Africa. So many beautiful children from places like Nawantumbi, where they repeated nearly every movement and song that Sally and Carna directed them to follow. As we left the school to walk to the church, they couldn’t resist the urge to crowd around and feel the Muzingu (white person) man’s hairy arms. Days later, we were blessed at Murchison Bay school with some wonderful song and dance numbers.  I also was blessed to speak to a high school class on the blessing of wise choices versus the consequences of poor ones. As I looked into their eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder if one of them might have been the little girl

 Tuesday, March 15, 2022…. Today was the last day at the Paraa Safari Lodge.  We woke up at 7:00 to get ready for breakfast at 8:00.  We departed around 9:00 am.  The rest of the team saw a Kolibus (a black and white monkey) while I was laying in the back seat of the van trying to sleep. Around 11:30 am, we stopped for lunch at Cafe Marlette.  The food there was delicious and plenty.  We went back out to the van and left for the Stevenson’s house.  Again, I sprawled out on the back seat of the van and went to sleep to avoid the high heat and humidity.  Therefore, I do not have much to write about today. However, yesterday was our fun day out in the safari and the boat ride down the Nile!  God has truly blessed this earth with all that He has made!  Stop for a moment to look around and be thankful for all that you have. Thank you EVERYONE who has been praying for us and this trip to the Amazing Country of Uganda. God bless you all. Jean

 Not much could have me up and out by 6 AM, but the prospect of seeing animals in their natural habitat did just that.  The roof of our van was popped up to allow for standing and we left Paraa before sun up. The first thing we saw was a herd of water buffalo, but only their beady eyes in the darkness.  As the sun came up over the savannah, we began to see more and more. Water buffalo, did-dik, kob and water buck were plentiful.  The first thrill came when we spotted a tower of giraffe and a couple of elephants. So regal and powerful.  One giraffe surprised us by being brown with black spots instead of the standard yellow and brown.  Some of the animals had battle scars, evidence of life in the wild.  Norma Jean gained the nickname “Eagle Eye” as she spotted the first of three female lions we saw that morning.  She was lying not far from the kob and giraffes. With belly full from breakfast, the others were safe for now.  Pastor Roy got some great shots with his high power camera while

 Sunday, March 13, 2022 Began our Sunday morning with a 7am pickup by a tourist company for our trek to Murchison Falls National Park.  Alan, our driver and guide, made the long 6 hour journey pleasant.  With one stop at the cleanest bathroom we’d seen our entire time here in Uganda we soon arrived at the entrance of the park where we registered.  The first thing I noticed was the paved roads.  Much has improved in the last few years.  Not far into the park we saw several baboons.  We learned they live in both the forest and savannah areas.  They are still getting used to the paved roads. About 20 minutes prior to arriving at our resort, we stopped to hike over to the top of Murchison Falls.  Oh how majestic is His creation!  What a beautiful sight from the top of the falls.  We saw a couple of rainbows too.  We were just in awe! 🌈  Just before turning into Paraa Safari Lodge, we saw a kob (looks like an antelope), female water buck and more baboons.  Once checked in, we enjoyed lunch

 Saturday, March 12, 2022 Today was a great celebration of the process 14 pastors went through to be ordained. Families and churches came from all regions of Uganda to celebrate their pastors. New suits and traditional dresses were purchased, and choirs prepared. Each one was introduced and applauded. Roy gave the charge to be faithful to their calling and to live with integrity in walking with the Lord. With a countdown, the cake was presented and divided up for all to sample. We were privileged to hand out study Bibles to the pastors in memory of Roy’s cousin, Rev. Jerry Webb, who died of Covid just a few months prior. The pastors posed with their new Bibles and certificates, as we paparazzi snapped their pictures. Afterward, we gathered on the upper patio for a snack of samosas with black peas, chipati with slaw, and beef on skewers. When we got back to the Stevenson’s, we went shopping! Colleen has a room of crafts she purchases to support local artisans and the TAPP program. We th

 On Monday and Tuesday, we went to the Kasubi Church of God Headquarters where we all did a variety of things. My role there was to provide a seminar on grief counseling.  I informed Colleen that I had about three hours worth of material.  She informed me I was scheduled to fill TWO FULL DAYS.  Gulp!  God stretched me in the village over the weekend when I was asked to present to the village women on grief, without a real plan, and here He was, stretching me again. With prayer, I went forward in Christ’s confidence. Would you know? My materials did not run out until the END of day two!  All that was required of me was obedience and blind faith. God provided. Praise Him!  The participants felt confident going forward to help others in grief.  Nineteen people are now equipped to support others in grief and share the information gained with their colleagues. I present my seminar in Bukasa later this week. There is so much death here in Uganda. I had two fathers in my class who are raising

 March 11 It has been exciting to be surrounded by so many church leaders who have an insatiable enthusiasm to learn more about God’s Word, Church of God doctrine, and how to build a healthy church environment. This past Saturday, March 5, we were supposed to have 25 pastors and church leaders attend a leadership conference. When we arrived, there were more than 50 pastors and leaders, ready to learn. We had a wonderful morning sharing together some of the challenges we’ve all faced through this pandemic on top of everyday ministry challenges. For the entire day, we talked about the role of a Pastor, how to manage our mental health, and finally how to deal with conflict. It was a day of many blessings as I began some new relationships and had the opportunity to encourage leaders who have faced seemingly insurmountable challenges without the “safety nets” that many of us in the United States have had these last two years. This past week (Monday-Wednesday), I helped to launch a new progr

 Fri Mar 11  Today after breakfast tim and Colleen’s grandchildren were over. We played cops and robbers, We played that for about a hour. After I had to get ready to go to the school, and they were getting ready to go swimming. I got surprised by them letting me go with them.( sable asked) so we all got ready to go swimming. Colleen, sable , sahara, melindi, and me went on our way to the place . We played volleyball for awhile and then went in the pool (it was really big). we took a little break to order food then went back to swimming. 30-45 minutes later we got our food. There were a few people there, there where people dancing? After the food we went back to swimming (no one got sick) we went swimming for awhile after that. We got ready to leave, sahara and me went to the bathrooms to get washed off. After that we left. When we got back we played cops and robbers differently from when we first played. They left:(. I took a nap for awhile and when the group got back from the school

 Wednesday, March 9 Destination today ~ Kasubi where everyone gathered for the school’s monthly devotional meeting.  They have developed a more cohesive unit of school teachers and staff by worshiping together monthly.  We joined them for this exuberant praise, testimony, message and prayer.  Pastor Tim spoke on our call to listen and hear.  When we only listen to God and recognize the value of love, we can share it.  People should hear love from us.  Five of the characteristics of love are grace, truth, generosity, compassion, and sacrifice.  Great message! While Carna provided grief sessions and Pastor Roy finished up his leadership sessions, the rest of us visited Kupona Tapp (Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program) Day Care.  What fun we had with these little children - coloring, making cardboard fans, playing ball and having a sweet snack.   This Tapp office also provides counseling, Bible study, sewing classes, baptism, home visits, love and hope. Many women have given their life to Chr

 Saturday March 5 - Sunday March 6. We stayed at a guest house in Nawantumbi . Saturday we were in Moses’ home town and Roy did his pastor leadership, Carna and Sally did grief groups, Norma Jean, Kenzie and I played with the kids. We started by handing out coloring pages and crayons. The kids all sat on a big tarp and colored. While they were doing that, the three of us were blowing up balloons. Some of the balloons popped as soon as they hit the ground because it was so pointy. When the kids got done coloring they came over and were playing with the balloons. Some kids wanted to blow up some of the balloons so they did. After the balloons, we got out the beach balls. These all had to be blown up. I blew up all six of them. I had a lot of hot air!! These were a huge hit!!!! We went to eat lunch. It was a nice break.  After lunch we returned to play with the kids. We got out the parachute and the kids were very excited. That was the first time I have ever seen the parachute toy. Kenzie

 Saturday, March 5, 2022 Today’s adventure was mission work at Nawantumbi School and Church. Our first hour was spent in the school with presentations and introductions of church and school leaders, parents and students. We enjoyed a few songs and dance by the school children. It’s so hot in the school ~ I wondered how they learn in there.  But when you are used to this climate, it’s probably not even noticed.   A tour of the school proved interesting. COVID has really affected this school in many ways.  The children were not able to attend for a long time so first off we see so much disrepair.  The number of students who returned after schools finally opened was about one third.  Since the students are supposed to be paying a tuition to attend, this is a loss for the school as well. I pray they can get enough help to keep moving forward. Breakout sessions began next with Pastor Roy teaching the leaders and pastors who have come from near and far.  Carna and Sally presented to the wome

 Friday, March 4, 2022 We awoke to the glorious sunrise streaming across Lake Victoria and into our backyard oasis. Bird calls and songs filtered through our consciousness to alert us of a new day. Flowers opened their petals to smile at the world with their colors. God’s creation is spectacular. Yesterday, we sorted and organized the supplies we brought, and repacked them for their various destinations. Handmade dresses from Brenda and Debbie at Community Helping Hands, school supplies, toiletries and children’s underwear from Aspire offices in Lakewood and Buffalo, soap, shampoo, lotion, crayons, toys, sanitizer and more from our Busti church family, medical supplies from Chautauqua Hospice, tools, kitchen supplies, toys and assundries from Anderson University, and conference materials prepared for Carna and Roy’s training sessions. Wow. Even more that I have not listed, but all treasures received with great pomp and circumstance by the Ugandans. God’s people are so generous. Suitcas

 March 2, 2022 It’s so hard to believe this mission trip is finally underway!  We have been waiting three years for it to come to fruition, but I firmly believe we are here when God intended.  It was so wonderful to wake up to warm temperatures, roosters crowing and breakfast being cooked by the most hospitable staff at our guest house.  We had a spread of pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, toast, fried tomato with onion, which paired well with the strange little pink breakfast sausage. Mid-morning, Sunday and Moses came to pick us up and bring us to the Stevenson’s. What an eye opening ride! Drivers must keep their eyes peeled for sure!  The poverty was evident everywhere.  What a great home the Stevenson’s have built!  They have fairly consistent house guests and have created space to make us feel so comfortable!  They have separate living quarters for themselves on the other side of the house.  The front yard (which is located in the back) is lush with trees and flowers and the greatest v

 We left Busti Church of God at 8:18 am on 3/1/22 and arrived at Entebbe airport and then to our Guest House and to bed at 2:30 am on 3/3/22.  I was exhausted but had a very pleasant trip. The International planes are ginormous!  We left from the Buffalo airport to Detroit, then to Amsterdam, Rwanda, and Entebbe.  The airline attendants were very nice.  I tried Eggplant Parmesan for the first time and it was delicious.   When we were at Detroit boarding the plane, one of our members misplaced her phone but realized it before takeoff.  Myself and another member from our team held hands and immediately prayed.  Not even 5 minutes later, her phone was found and returned.  God is so amazing! My first observation when we got picked up from the airport was that they drive on the opposite side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle.  It was dark so didn’t see too much of the view.  Enock was the manager at our guest house.  When we arrived at our guest house, t

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Our plans have greatly changed since last we spoke with you. Covid has altered our course over the previous two years, but not our determination to bring eye clinics to Uganda. The new date for the eye clinics is April 2023. However, we are sending a modified team in just four short weeks to bring encouragement through Leadership Training, Grief Counseling, and personal visits to the JaJas—the grandmothers raising their grandchildren after their parents died of aids. We celebrate with the National church leadership in their latest elections. They expected 200 pastors and church leaders, and instead, hosted 415 attendees who converged on Kampala from all regions of Uganda! The Lord is present and at work in their midst! Pastor Roy will have the honor to participate in the ordination of fifteen pastors, and do leadership training. Our own Hospice specialist, Carna Smith, will train leaders for grief counseling. And we’ll all have the opportunity to interact with school activities