Africa 2025

  In two weeks, we'll be zipping up suitcases and double-checking backpacks. We're heading to Uganda for Eye Clinics and home visits. The glasses are all catalogued and ready. Clothing donated and school supplies gathered. We even have a new wedding dress to bless a bride for her special day. However, the most important thing has not been gathered. We are still in need of something crucial and asking for your help. Would you be our Prayer Warriors? 1 Corinthians 13 says our best efforts will fall flat if we don't come equipped with love. And not just any kind of love, but the supernatural all-encompassing grace-filled love of God. When days get long and we get grumpy from the heat, we need the Lord to fill us with His calming sweet presence and joy.  Would you join us? Here's a Prayer Calendar to use for prompts. Thank you! Lana Keller, Lynn Smith, Norma Jean Angelo, Amylynn Stafford, Janet Hadley, Rob Robison, Dr. Donna & Jeff Morhous, Dina & Mark Marchincin, a...

 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 lit...

 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 g...

 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...

 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. W...

 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 ...