tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88819203086872704532023-11-16T07:06:48.981-08:00Our Africa mission trip - Lynette and TaraLynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-9564461696574376442012-10-25T10:35:00.001-07:002012-10-25T10:38:04.905-07:00Kutamba School <h2 style="text-align: center;">
Kutamba School </h2>
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{Assembly Video & Pictures}<br />
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(Nursery "Kindegarten" class- arean't they adorable?)</div>
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Mom and I have been slacking on the blog posts on our Africa trip. Funny how life has a way of creeping back in again. <br />
I did want to post a video on the Kutamba school assembly that the school so graciously gave me while I was taking their pictures. It is one that I love and wanted to share with you. <br />
I traveled with Christine - the Education Director for Nyaka, for 90 minutes up and down very rough roads to get to Kutamba which stands for "healing". Kutamba rests along side a very steep hill.<br />
When we approaced the foot of the hill that leads to the school I imagined being a child and climbing that thing when it's rainy and I've already walked 6 miles. <br />
I laughed when they showed me their soccer field because the ball would just roll down the hill!<br />
I took pictures of all 200+ kids and they were happy to see me. I handed out a small sweetie for each one once they were done. <br />
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(Looking back at the school, you can barely see it through the trees but it's up there)</div>
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(View from thier soccer field - the school is below it)</div>
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This video is a bit choppy because I wasn't ready for video and didn't know how to work my sisters camera. <br />
I just loved hearing their songs, I've watched this video many times and still enjoy it. <br />
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I want to make a plug to sponsor these kids and others at <a href="http://www.nyakaschool.org/">www.nyakaschool.org</a> - what they are doing here is amazing for these kids and the community! <br />
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TaraLynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-47774114856747541912012-10-10T07:09:00.003-07:002012-10-10T07:11:33.360-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Father's Divine Love - Part 2 </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">{God's Beloved Godfrey}</span></strong></div>
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During our stay at FDLM the staff set up time to meet with the older students one on one, to hear their story and to offer prayer and encouragement. <br />
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<em><u>Here's Godfrey's</u></em><em><u> story:</u></em><br />
Godfrey is a 24-26 year old man (he doesn't know his exact age). Godfey's mother died while giving birth to him. His father was a lead witch craft in their village and died before Godfrey was born. <br />
Godfrey went to live with his Aunt and Uncle outside of Jinja. He was tormented by spirits his whole life. At the age of 8 his aunt and Uncle took him to their Protestant church to get rid of the demons. He said after that the possessions got worse so he knew Jesus was working. He was indifferent to spirituality until about the age of 14. He came to live with his cousin who lives just down from FDLM because his aunt and uncle kicked him out. Even though they were Protestant they expected Godfrey to take over his father's business by becoming a witch and he didn't want to do that. It is a cultural norm that when you become a man you will take over the family business and his family's business was witch craft. <br />
One night FDLM was having a crusade and Godfrey stopped by. The preacher was talking about how the Israelites were being bitten by snakes and how they were told to look upon Moses' staff and they would be healed. The preacher related that to looking upon Jesus that he would be healed. That night Godfrey came to know Christ. <br />
He kept going to FDLM but after awhile his cousin got tired of having Godfrey at his house. His cousin gave him a choice - in one month he better have a job or denounce Christ. Godfrey looked for a job but couldn't find one and he refused to denouce Jesus. He went to Pastor David and David told Godfrey that he could stay with them. <br />
He went back to school and finished secondary school. He was in the university but had to leave because of lack of funds for the university students. He has a passion for dramatic acting and film making. He takes a lead role in the church youth dance group. <br />
He is alive in Christ and full of the spirit. <br />
We asked him if there was something that we could pray for him and he said that he'd like us to pray for his family that they may come to know the Lord.<br />
Godfrey works with the youth on at FDLM and is heavily involved with the dramatic and dance componenets of church. He also does a fine job leading prayer and getting up in front of a group. <br />
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Godfrey is another example of a Godly man that is vital to the healthy growth of the country. Uganda needs as many courageous men as they can get that love God, love their wife, love their kids and serve their community. What an honor we had to meet him!Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-42524967196630210912012-10-01T17:18:00.002-07:002012-10-03T05:55:37.089-07:00Nyaka School - Part 1 (The Grannies)<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
part of my volunteering at Nyaka, I indicated I had training and experience in
micro-finance. Upon arriving at Nyaka, I clearly felt inadequate to
assist the grannies with this broad topic.
I didn’t know what kind of knowledge they already had on the subject or
where to begin. The night before the first class, I grilled Magambo, our driver,
on how best to help them since he is familiar with the daily life in Uganda. Magambo helped me understand things they
would relate to such as selling/buying eggs, chickens, goats, etc. I also
spent some time with Martin who is the Grannie Coordinator on site in Nyaka to
shape the training sessions. One thing that we agreed upon right away was that
it would be a participatory session. I wouldn’t just stand up there and give
them a bunch of information. I would allow them to participate and shape the
training based upon their feedback. This style of training also helped me to be
flexible and “go with the flow”.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Day 1 - </b></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On
the first day I was not prepared for the in-depth discussion the grannies
wanted to have about life in general. They were very curious about the U.S. and
the lifestyle that I lived. I helped to clarify and even dispel any rumors. When it came to money, I quickly learned
that the grannies did not record or track money at all. This is due to a variety of reasons that they
shared with me. I also learned that they manage their money
through the pocket method; if they get money they put it in their pocket and
when they need to buy something they pull it out. When they are out, they’re out.
It also became evident on day one that they needed help in the <i>very </i>basics such as counting money. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
was grateful for the depth of experiences in my own life so we could relate on
some basic level. I shared with them my experience in my photography business as an example as to how I needed to take out a loan for
the equipment and how I repaid that loan. On the other hand they encounter
challenging issues such as abusive husbands, theft, etc. and any concept of
managing money is difficult if not impossible to accomplish. The concept
of a woman being in full control of her life is only a dream for some. I tried to encourage them to know they are making
a real difference by sending their children and grandchildren to school. Education changes people’s lives. They understand this but cultural norms are
hard to combat, and I wanted them to feel valued for their commitment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
library is only about 3 miles from the school. Daniel, the outreach coordinator
for Nyaka, drove me in his car to the library for class, and we got stuck on a
section of the road. The non-surfaced roads in Uganda are what we in the
states would call farm lanes. There are huge ruts from flowing water that
only a tractor can effectively handle where I live. But cars and 4-wheel
drive vehicles try to maneuver around the ruts while staying on the road.
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because
people walk everywhere here, men started to appear on the road and assessed
Daniel’s situation. Within 15 minutes, we were moving again and I was
only 10 minutes late...which is hilarious since the grannies were not there
until close to 10:00 am (“Africa time”).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Day
2 –</b></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
second day of the micro-finance class saw two new grannies and one less than
the day before. This time we dove into record keeping and revolving
funds. Christine at the Nyaka School explained that this group of grannies are much more
literate than other women in the area. This is hard for me to grasp, but
today proved her point. We first practiced counting money that I had in
my wallet plus some from Martin, my partner on this project before doing anything else. Martin also tells me they don’t
put their money in banks. It is quite
possible a thug will steal their money if it is not safe in the bank, and one
grannie spoke of such an event. At the end of the day Martin asked the
grannies who will be opening a bank account – he considered it a success when 8
of the grannies said they would.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
can’t remember how, but the grannies and I started talking about food. They asked me if I had ever eaten cassava,
and I drew a complete blank as to what that was. They informed me that cassava
is the root of a plant that grows well in the area. It is a big staple for them. They also asked me what the staple food was
in the United States. I said “bread” and
they laughed and laughed and said it does not have needed nutrients, and I had
to agree with them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Day
3 –</b></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
last day of micro-finance and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Two grannies
brought me gifts of cassava! One brought
the entire plant that was about 4 feet tall (they get much taller) and another
brought me just the cassava. It looked
roughly like a big potato, Martin says like a horn of an Ankole cow (Ankole cows are found in southwest Uganda), and he showed me how to eat it. It had a very mild flavor and I enjoyed it
raw. I gave the plant to Florence for
the large garden and ate part of the other one.
On our way back from visiting the grannies’ homes, Martin had Magambo
stop at a roadside market where they were roasting cassava and sweet potato and
he graciously bought some for us. We
took them back to Nyaka with us and Priscilla served them with our dinner. Yum!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the afternoon we headed to visit some beneficiaries of Nyaka and the houses
that are built for the Mukaakas ("Grandma" in the Uganda language). Nyaka has provided over
180 houses and over 400 kitchens or pit
latreens. Martin explained to us that without a kitchen when it rains there is
no meal and going without a meal is detrimental. We ended our tour at Mukaaka
Rose’s who gave us a tour of her and her husband’s land and showed me the
cassava she grows (along with Matoke’, beans and other things). She and Martin tell me that if you plant
cassava in Uganda, you will not grow hungry.
It spreads significantly, providing much food from one plant. Mukaaka Rose shows me how easy it is to
harvest it since it is not far below the ground. It is not unusual for them to dig one up, clean
it off, and eat it raw. Uganda is different from most of Africa in that it is near the equator and the soil is
able to grow produce fairly easily. When someone has land they use that to grow
gardens to harvest for their families and to sell if they have abundance. Not
everyone has access to land but when they have enough for a house and a garden
they are significantly better off. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
shared basic budgeting with the grannies this last day. They worked in
teams in developing their own budgets, and I was very impressed. I felt like they came a long way in three
days, and I was very proud of them. Daniel
encouraged them at the end of the class to continue at home to do this.
They wrote thank you’s and I include some with this blog. Martin translated those that were not in
English. Several wanted to acknowledge Nyaka since they now had latrines
and one woman received both a kitchen and a latrine. Needs I would
consider basic are not taken for granted in Uganda, and they are cherished when
received.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Baskets,
baskets everywhere. </b> Daniel and Martin have been traveling and gathering
baskets from the grannies and bringing them to the library. While I was
with the grannies and micro-finance, Tara was packing these baskets into our
two empty suitcases and an extra duffle she brought. The grannies take
local reed, such as from the banana tree, and use it to make the baskets. </span></span></div>
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Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-87981281155157257612012-09-26T14:46:00.004-07:002012-10-01T18:06:13.757-07:00Father's Divine Love - Part 1 (Peniel House)<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the beginning of our deep dive posts into the people and places that we visited. Our trip took us to Jinja, Uganda for the first week to <b>Father's Divine Love Ministries</b>. I was introduced to this organization last year. It was on my heart to go to Africa and I had done a lot of research on where to go. Uganda popped up as a place that had tremendous need and the orphan population was large. It also was a place that was politically stable, welcomed visitors and generally is a very safe place to go. I have 3 kids who I kept at the forefront of my planning to make sure they weren't orphaned in the process of me going to help others. I had finally decided what organization I wanted to visit - Nyaka school in western Uganda. But that very Sunday after I had made my decision I went to church and heard about how the youth group had started a relationship with a ministry in Jinja that was helping orphans and they had been raising funds for them. I was sitting in the pew and my heart started to race and I was shaking (God's way of telling me to pay attention) :) I knew then that I had to visit FDLM as well. I was very happy that Third Church had started building a partner in Africa. I had read several books including "Global Soccer Mom" that was critical of the lack of Christian response to the AIDS epidemic and had been dissapointed that Third wasn't supporting any ministries in Africa- until now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So FDLM was on my list of places to go. I contacted Pastor David Livingstone Zijjan and he was more then willing to welcome mom and I there. They had asked if we would commit to supporting a widow home before our trip. We were more then willing to do that and through friends, family and Peoria UMC were able to fund one of their homes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213231112839626659711.0004ca9e3db17cafa7044&msa=0&ll=0.313611,32.581111&spn=0.201527,0.362206" target="_blank">Google Map of the Places we visited in Uganda</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we got to FDLM they shared with us their program and we got the privilege of meeting the beneficiaries. FDLM has many different "arms" of the organization. They care for about 90 orphans - 50 of the older children are at the base of FDLM where they have a room and are cared for by "Momma Lillian" who is pictured below; isn't she beautiful?! Lillian has 2 boys and 2 girls of her own and they live on the base. Her 4 year old son Feva was a constant source of entertainment and fun. We have a bunch of pictures of him posing for the camera. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One core value of FDLM is the concept of not just caring for orphans with shelter, food, education but to love them! This is best done in a family setting and not in an instituation and it's critical that young children who have no parents to feel the love of a parent. Because of that they set up "Peniel" to live out that value. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Peniel is a 3 acre plot of land on a beautiful hill that has amazing views of Lake Victoria. Right now they have 3 homes built on those 3 acres. Each home has 3 bedrooms (one for momma, one for the girls and one for boys). It also has a large sitting room. These homes have a Mom and up to 10 kids. The mothers have their own children and then take on orphans to care for. At Peniel the children get the love of a mother, siblings, food, shelter and a built in community. It is within walking distance to the base of FDLM. The mothers of Peniel share the duties of cooking at the base for the larger group. Below are pictures of the mothers (Jessica & Nakagolo or "Auntie Naka") that we got to hang out with. They are beautiful too! Jessica is sitting by her kitchen and she is a fantastic cook. They were our first glimpse at how much work the women of Uganda do. They wake up very early and start their day preparing breakfast and don't end the day until supper has been served for the family at around 9pm. They also take care of their 10 kids, get them off to school, tend the garden, and of course general "mom duties". As a mother myself this amount of work is not lost on me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Both Jessica and Nakagolo were always welcoming to us, filled with gratitude and had the Holy Spirit glow to them. Such fine examples of God's love! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Their vision for Peniel is to have 10 houses in the area. FDLM is doing a great job creating and supporting these family units. It takes about $150 per week for each family to provide for them. There are so many more children that could benefit from this and it would be such a great blessing for them to be able to expand. If you are being called to give to FDLM you can do so on the left hand side of this blog.</span>Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-23129099591498598952012-09-20T09:24:00.001-07:002012-09-20T13:49:30.821-07:00What a trip!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>We will be highlighting specific stories of special people that we met and had the pleasure of getting to know more intimately. For this initial post we wanted to share the overall trip and how it has impacted us personally.</b></span><br />
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<u>(By Tara)</u></h4>
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<span style="color: #17366b; text-indent: 48pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #1f497d;">I’m not going call it a "once in a lifetime trip" because I’ll be back. </span><span style="color: #1f497d;">This trip is the beginning of my relationship and love of the people of Uganda. One of the most resounding memorable things to me won’t be the suffering, won’t be the poverty, won’t be the conditions but it will be the welcoming unconditional love that we received from the people in Uganda. It was a universal feeling that we got from both areas of Uganda. Everywhere we went they began with “you are most welcome” and that wasn’t just something that was said but what was demonstrated. They welcomed us into their homes and into their lives.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">The trip couldn’t have gone more flawlessly. We had many vaccinations and heard about the ebola outbreak so we were a little nervous about picking up something but neither of us for the full time got sick – not once! That is such a blessing and actually a rarity when it comes to any international travel, travelers’ diarrhea is almost a given. We ate very well and even though I’m a vegetarian I only had chicken once and that was my own fault for not ordering the right thing. We were also blessed with having the travel arrangements coordinated by Sam Mugisha of BIC travel. Magambo Michael was our driver for the whole trip. We got to know him very well and he us, we felt safe and in good hands. He couldn’t provide smooth roads but he navigated what was there without fail. He also made sure he was aware of where we were at at all times and that we didn’t do anything unsafe. Mom wanted to go for a walk but he told her that she could go for a walk if he is driving behind her </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">J</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;"> We even got in a safari at Queen Elizabeth’s Park. That was not the purpose of the trip but it was a pleasure to see all the animals that I love to see in a zoo in their natural habitat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">We spent about 5 days at Father’s Divine Love Ministries in Jinja. We stayed at Sarah and David’s house who run the church and ministries. They have 4 great kids and we got to know very well (Rapha-8, Melody-6, Maranatha-4, and Mehitabel-2). They have a wonderful home and were for hospitable to us. Sarah is an amazing cook and we appreciated that. We spent the days at the base site of the ministries where they are taking care of many orphans. They have also built houses for mothers and grandmothers as well as a village for family groups. The staff at FDLM was so welcoming and our first glimpse into the Uganda spirit. The first day we were there the children would see us and not really interact but by day 2 we were like family, playing and cuddling. The children love Muzungus (Uganda for “white person” – in a good way). FDLM also got us acclimated to the standard ritual in Uganda. Breakfast is at a normal time – around 7-8am, lunch was at 2pm and supper was at around 8pm. Tea time was 3 times a day, a leftover of the British influence. We were also introduced to the common gecko and very large cockroach </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">J</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;"> There are many times I appreciated my many camping trips as a child. They prepared me to get over the fact that I didn’t bath every day and that I’m out of my normal element.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">Our 5 days at FDLM came to a close with a special feast at the base camp with all beneficiaries. They prepared all sorts of Uganda dishes. The food in Uganda was delicious; chappati – grilled flat bread, beans, rice, matooke – plantain type of banana and g-nut sauce). I’ve already looked up the recipe to g-nut sauce because I liked it so much. It will be hard to beat Sarah’s but I’m gonna try. Oh and eating lots of beans when you aren’t use to it has some side effects ;) Peter, Field Operations Manager told us that with all those beans it “makes funny sounds come out” and Noah said that it “comes in like rain” – we laughed and laughed about that.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">The trip to Nyaka was about 12 hours long. We got to see the countryside of Uganda and even got to view the rare zebra’s from the road, what a treat that was. Nyaka is very rural, I knew it would be but didn’t know to the full extent of that. The roads were horrible the last 2 hours of the trip. Magambo kept telling me it’s the “African massage” but I need another massage to counteract that one. </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">Muzungus are more rare in these parts so whenever we’d drive by kids they’d shout “Muzungu” with smiles on their face and some even ran alongside the car. I felt like Justin Beiber!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">I spent the week taking pictures of all the kids at school for the sponsorship program. Mom spent the week giving the head grandmothers a finance lesson. I’ll let her share that part but I’m so proud of her for doing that. What a lasting impact she will have on those grandmothers.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 48pt;">I wrote last time that I felt that God was going before us to prepare our trip and that certainly played out to be true. With the help of those that contributed we had given money to support homes at both locations as well as sold the grandmother’s baskets. These allowed us to be contributors to them before we even got there and had a natural vested interest in these programs. God has blessed us with the ability to go on this trip and we are grateful for all the hospitality that we were shown.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">I read a Bible verse this morning in </span><em style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isaiah (58:6-11)</em><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> that resounded in my heart. I’m not a politician and I don’t even watch the news everyday so I wonder what impact I can have. But I find comfort in knowing that God has called me – called all of us to not turn away from those that are in need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>6 </b>Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">to loose the chains of injustice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">and untie the cords of the yoke,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">to set the oppressed free</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">and break every yoke?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>7</b></span><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> Is it not to share your food with the hungry</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when you see the naked, to clothe them,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">8</span></strong><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> Then your light will break forth like the dawn,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and your healing will quickly appear;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then your righteousness will go before you,</span><br />
<span class="verse" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and the glory of the </span><span class="vsmallcaps" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lord</span><span class="verse" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> will be your rear guard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">9</span></strong><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> Then you will call, and the </span></span><span class="vsmallcaps"><span style="color: black;">Lord</span></span><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> will answer;</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with the pointing finger and malicious talk,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">10</span></strong><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then your light will rise in the darkness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and your night will become like the noonday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">11</span></strong><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> The </span></span><span class="vsmallcaps"><span style="color: black;">Lord</span></span><span class="verse"><span style="color: black;"> will guide you always;</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and will strengthen your frame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You will be like a well-watered garden,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">like a spring whose waters never fail</span><br />
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<o:p><u>(By Lynette)</u></o:p></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><o:p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Red soil is what I remember of the trip to Jinja. Today (Monday, September 9), </span></o:p><o:p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">was still cleaning the red dust off my body after arriving at Nyaka. What I will remember of the trip to the Nyaka School is the lush, tropical paradise and roads worse than ones that Sarah and David took us on in Jinja. Magambo, our driver, told us they would be worse and we should have listened. But the scenery was amazing. What a contrast from Kampala and the congestion. </span></o:p><o:p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </o:p></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Our visit to Uganda has been amazing and I will share my personal thoughts with anyone asking , but this journal is about the children. Their voices, their stories are what we came for and it is our love for and commitment to each of them as to why we journeyed here. Pastor David shared at the feast at our last day at Father's Divine Love Ministries the saying that is it takes a village to raise a child. However, he feels that it takes a world to raise a child. We witnessed at both FDLM and Nayaka personal commitment to children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS and the ability to meet the significant need constrained by adequate resources. Both Twesigye Jackson Kaguri and Pastor David Zijjan are working diligently to share knowledge of the children's need and, at the same time, minister effectively to them. Please join us on this journey as we share the children's, widows', and grannies' personal stories, deep appreciation for giving people they have never met, and their hope for a brighter future. It is impossible to share these stories without weaving in widows and grandmothers who have taken on loving responsibility for orphaned children that may or may not be related to them but they love them and draw them in as family. And Tara and I hope you are moved to support these organizations. </span></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">These stories are not to gain sympathy but to encourage you to share your abundance and give hope to those needing it. My greatest sense from those I met in Uganda is that they value community, love and, above all, faith in God. They live sparsely, work hard, and value people. They are immensely grateful and appreciative of human kindness. Their need is great and these youth and young children have hopes and dreams that depend on resources, and we share the belief that God will provide. </span></h4>
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<u><b>Next steps for us in this journey:</b></u><br />
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<span style="color: #17366b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Share with you the stories of the people that we met. Lynette will be detailing our stories from Nyaka and Tara be doing the same for Father’s Divine Love.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #17366b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Pulling together the trip information and presenting to our circles of influence. Our goal is to get all the secondary students at Nyaka sponsored. That’s around 50-60 students. If you want to sponsor a secondary student please contact Tara, and she will get you hooked up with that. It is amazing the impact these students will have in their communities when they graduate college. The cost to sponsor a secondary student is $500 which provides for a <b>secondary</b> student’s school fees, meals, medicine, and transportation for one school year.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #17366b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Sell baskets that we brought back that were made by the grandmothers. If you are interested in buying a basket please let either Lynette or Tara know.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #17366b; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Support the FDLM family by sending pictures and letters to the kids there. They love to build relationships with visitors and knowing that we still care and are interested is important.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17366b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Plan the next trip there. Tara is thinking right now early 2014 and would love to take others with her. Will you join her?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">A special thanks to the team at FDLM that made our trip comfortable and memorable (Sarah, David, Peter, Peter, Noah, Lydia) and the wonderful Mammas - Margarite, Nakagolo, and Jessica for their endless energy preparing tasty food.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">And the Nyaka team (Daniel, Agra, Christine and Martin) for their endless love of and concern for the welfare of the children as well as Priscilla and Fiada for keeping us fed and full of welcoming love.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Thank you most of all to the youth and children for their inspiring stories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Our purpose for continued blogging is to share our experience with you so that you can get to know, through us, those that are in need by hearing their story and not just reading it but participating in it with us. We hope that you will be encouraged, enlightened and moved by the stories of amazing people in Uganda in our upcoming posts.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-23303090792272203382012-08-26T09:19:00.003-07:002012-08-26T11:36:49.778-07:00Why Africa? Why Now? (Tara)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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There are so many questions I get when I tell people that
I’m going to Africa. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When?</i></div>
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how long?</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are
you going on a mission trip?</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
will you be doing there?</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who
will you be going with?</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
part of Africa?</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
made you decide to do that?</i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Am I excited or nervous?</i></div>
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The easy questions I’ll answer first. </div>
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Mom and I will be going to Uganda, which is in the heart of Africa. We are
leaving this Saturday, Sept 1<sup>st</sup> and will return to Minneapolis on
Monday, Sept 17<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
traveling through Amsterdam and the trip there and back will take 35 hours.
Uganda is 8 hours ahead in time. </div>
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We will not be going on a strict mission trip per se. Or at
least I wouldn’t call it that. In my mind (and I’m often wrong) a mission trip
is to serve God’s people with the hopes that you will lead them to Christ and
seek out ways to do that. We will be serving God’s people in a couple of
different ways but I am not all gung ho about the main purpose being to bring
them to Christ. The first organization we will be going to is called “Father’s
Divine Love Ministries” which is in Jinja, Uganda. Pastor David Livingstone has
done a tremendous job of already serving and bringing many Ugandans to Christ.
I am there to support them in that effort. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
main mission is to let people in Uganda – a place SO FAR FROM IOWA – know that
there are people that care about them and love them…<span style="color: red;">that
there is HOPE.</span></i></div>
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My other selfish mission is to make my life
meaningful. Don’t we all want that? I sure do. I love my life tremendously but
I have an aching in my heart most times that draws me to the questions that I
wrestle with and that is “what is my life about, do I matter, and am I making a
difference?”. I do know this…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Luke 12:48 From everyone who has been given much, much will be
demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be
asked. </span></i></div>
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There are many events that lead up to me wanting to go but
the most profound was a boy named Chase. He was the baby that had a NICU room
next to Jake’s. Every day Andy and I would visit Jake and for 54 days I’d walk
by Chase’s room and never once did I see parents, grandparents, or any one that
appeared to love him. He was alone. I had lived a very sheltered life and
assumed in some naïve way that everyone had at least a mom and dad to love them
but Chase showed me that even in Iowa that isn’t always the case. Jake’s
hospital stay was also very risky and if it weren’t for state of the art
medical treatment he wouldn’t be here and neither would I for that matter. What
he and I went through was dangerous but because we are fortunate to live where
and when we do we both made it with flying colors. That experience woke me up
and showed me that there are so many people that don’t have what I have and I’m
on fire because I think they should have what I have. It’s basic human
rights...</div>
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I am nervous <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i>
excited to go. My most anxiety comes from that fact that I have to leave my
family. Seventeen days is long enough to feel very isolated from them and to my
6 year old it’s an eternity. I feel confident that things will be ok, that if I
get sick or mom gets sick that it’s temporary and we’ll return home with one
more story! Several weeks ago I was feeling very fearful of the trip; fearful
of all the “what if’s”. I happened to be reading the book “Kisses for Katie”
about a 19 year old who moved to Uganda permanently and has adopted 14 girls
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her courage was so profound. I
finished reading the book on the train to work and when I got off and was
walking through the skyways I was praying about my fears that I knew they were
unfounded. In one moment of time I was filled with such peace about the trip
and I had a vision of God going before Mom and me to set the stage for our
journey, that He was preparing the people and the way for us. I have never felt
that before and since then I haven’t felt fear about the surroundings in
Uganda. I pray that my family will also be at peace and that the time will go
by fast for them. </div>
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The other organization is Nyaka school (<a href="http://www.nyakaschool.org/">www.nyakaschool.org</a>) where mom will be
teaching the grandmas micro finance. She will be hiring a translator in order
to do that. I will be taking pictures of all 600 kids that are in the
sponsorship program. I love that I get to meet all the kids and am scouting out
who will be our children to sponsor. If you want me to scout any out for you
just let me know. </div>
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Hopefully that answers all the questions and I look forward
to sharing our stories when we return. </div>
Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-35164189446909498852012-08-24T18:40:00.001-07:002012-08-26T09:35:21.405-07:00One week to go... (Lynette)Everything today seemed to hold my attention. On my way to work, I stopped for a car wash. Having access to reliable transportation, good roads, ease of checking my email while my car is getting washed, and the availability of water are a few things that all seemed to be a big deal today. I stopped at Caribou on campus on my way to the building where I work and got ice for cold water. It was that easy.<br />
<br />
I am headed to Uganda where life may not be as easy for people. I have experienced adversity and struggles during my life and I feel selfish knowing this is only a glimpse of what others on this earth may endure. Today, I pray for those I will meet, know, love and admire during my visit to Uganda. I feel like I already know those that God will put in my path, and I am so excited to see them. And I am thankful.<br />
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My journey started with saying "yes" to Tara and "yes" to God. That was the beginning of this journey for me, and the blessings just keep coming. It scares me to think that I may have missed this opportunity if I had not stepped up. <br />
<br />
Thank you to those who donated toward the underwear that Tara and I are taking to Nyaka. After removing the packaging and washing them, we ended up with about 30 pounds of cotton undies. Thank you, Mom, for organizing the purchase. Praise God for our little country church, Peoria UMC, and loving, generous family and friends who shared in their abundance by giving toward the homes and underwear to the organizations we are visiting. Things we take<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> for granted; blessings to those who don't know what that means.</span></div>
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Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-73547432384881386512012-05-20T15:37:00.001-07:002012-05-20T15:37:09.369-07:00Spa Day at Peoria UMC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVlvr6YLEqLGI0lGiWzQYG8xonNh4gbsybo3rPls_mPEBUvZouZfrOujoby9m-X-etc34gZuJHJdLO41qkK3NNQc3gwPGHgiu5pGvh8MLXhX425ohWeuNwq8fM_YHfvofoSHXKy1nAQ/s1600/IMG_8427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVlvr6YLEqLGI0lGiWzQYG8xonNh4gbsybo3rPls_mPEBUvZouZfrOujoby9m-X-etc34gZuJHJdLO41qkK3NNQc3gwPGHgiu5pGvh8MLXhX425ohWeuNwq8fM_YHfvofoSHXKy1nAQ/s320/IMG_8427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Spa Day finally arrived, and it was great to see so many people enjoying the services provided. And the free will offering will continue to support needed items in Uganda. Thank you Peoria UMC!<br /><br />Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-27849544230899712402012-05-09T06:42:00.001-07:002012-05-09T08:18:02.380-07:00Funds for a home are on the way to to Father's Divine Love MinistriesWow! Our first project goal was to raise $2,500 to send to Father's Divine Love Ministries for materials for a home for a widowed grandmother taking care of her orphaned grandchildren. Together, we fulfilled that goal with the wiring of the funds today to <a href="http://dignityafrica.org/" target="_blank">FDLM</a>. God is amazing! The Peoria United Methodist Church continues fund raising efforts for various needs through <a href="http://dignityafrica.org/" target="_blank">FDLM</a> and <a href="http://nyakaschool.org/" target="_blank">Nyaka</a>. Further donations will continue to meet urgent needs, and we will update you on this blog and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/363979173653799/" target="_blank">Peoria United Methodist Church</a> Facebook page.<br />
<br />
The measure of love<br />
is to love without measure.<br />
<span class="quotesauthor"><i>~ Saint Augustine ~</i></span><br />
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<br />Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-58386421473233355222012-05-06T16:20:00.000-07:002012-05-07T03:36:21.433-07:00“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.” (Anonymous)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, we achieved our collective goal of supporting three homes for orphaned children - two through Nyaka and one through Father's Divine Love Ministries, both in Uganda. There are so many more needs that we will continue fund raising with 100% supporting orphaned children in Uganda. As projects (goats, latrines, kitchens, homes, etc) are identified and funds sent, information will be posted to the blog.<br />
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Thank you to the Peoria United Methodist Church, friends, family, and friends of family who made this happen. Your generosity and unfailing support for those in deep need touches Tara and me, and we are excited to meet people in September whose lives will be impacted.<br />
<br />
<span class="quotation">"Do all the good you can, </span><br />
<span class="quotation">By all the means you can,</span><br />
<span class="quotation">In all the ways you can,</span><br />
<span class="quotation">In all the places you can,</span><br />
<span class="quotation">At all the times you can,</span><br />
<span class="quotation">To all the people you can,</span><br />
<span class="quotation">As long as ever you can."</span><br />
<span class="quotation">(John Wesley) </span>Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-11864383125783361852012-04-27T08:01:00.000-07:002012-04-27T13:36:42.215-07:00Support for two (of three) homes now headed to Uganda...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">"This grannie is dancing for joy over the help we have been able to give her because of people like you and your congregation. Keep up the life changing work."</span></i></div>
<i>Tashmica Torok,</i><br />
<i> Development Associate, Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Today the Peoria United Methodist Church</b></i> sent a check for $2,000 to Nyaka (<a href="http://nyakaproject.blogspot.com/2012/04/nzera-needs-you.html">http://nyakaproject.blogspot.com/2012/04/nzera-needs-you.html</a>) to support two (2) homes for grannies that include a kitchen and latrine. Many of the grannies live exposed to the mountainous cold evenings and
spend all rainy season wet and hungry. Nyaka learned that grannies will stay
in their pit-latrines when it rains because it is their only escape
from the rain and cold. <br />
<br />
Thank you to all who have and will donate. You are providing homes for grandmothers, and this will impact their lives in a very positive way! And when you support a grannie, you support an average of 5 orphans and vulnerable children.<br />
<br />
<div class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}">
<i><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Jackson
Kaguri Twesigye, </span></i><br />
<i><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Executive Director of Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project,</span></i><br />
<div style="color: black;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">"Please express our grannies gratitude to
all your church members. God bless you and may His work continue to
grow!"</span></i></span></div>
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<br />Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-76602473697322891612012-04-22T15:11:00.000-07:002012-04-27T10:39:53.542-07:00The details are finalized and we hope to see you there...<div style="text-align: center;">
You are invited!</div>
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<b>"Spa Day at Peoria"</b></div>
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Come, bring a friend and enjoy a fun, relaxing, refreshing afternoon!</div>
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<b>Location:</b> Peoria United Methodist Church, </div>
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16500 NE 112th St., Maxwell, Iowa</div>
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(2 miles east of Maxwell on Hwy 210, 2.5 miles south on 670th Street)</div>
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<b>Date: </b> May 19, 2012</div>
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<b>Spa services</b>: Available from 1:00-4:00 p.m.</div>
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Facials (Lesia Vaughn)</div>
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Chair massages</div>
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Pedicures (Tara Moses)</div>
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Jewelry (Amy Berkey)</div>
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Refreshments (Dianne Wales)</div>
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<b>Event Sponsors:</b></div>
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Lesia Vaughn, Mary Kay Consultant, Maxwell, Iowa</div>
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Dianne Wales, Pampered Chef Consultant, Maxwell, Iowa</div>
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Revitalizing Massage Therapy, Altoona and Cambridge, Iowa</div>
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Amy Berkey, Lia Sophia Fashion Jewelry, Colfax, Iowa</div>
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<b>Need transportation or child care?</b></div>
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Contact Lynette Sherer (515-360-2008)</div>
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<b>Thank you </b>to our sponsors for providing their services at no cost for this event. Instead, a free-will offering will go toward support of the Peoria Africa Project (three homes for widows/orphans in Uganda, Africa). </div>Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-46762810531836329162012-03-29T08:16:00.000-07:002012-05-01T09:13:16.467-07:00<h2>
Three homes instead of one!</h2>
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Tara and I are humbled by so many people praying for
this mission trip. And the contributions
towards the materials for a home…WOW!
With donations and pledges, the blog now reflects a new goal of three homes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This is all in God’s hands, and it is inspiring to see the power of
collective prayer and support. If you haven't donated yet, please consider doing so. Any amount is appreciated, and 100% of your contribution helps the orphans in Uganda.</div>
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Tara and I are considering a visit to see Katie Davis while
we are in Uganda. She has an amazing and
inspiring story, and we encourage you to read her blog: <a href="http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/</a>. We believe it will touch your heart as it
did ours.</div>
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<b>May 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. </b><br />
<b>Mark your calendars!</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Peoria United Methodist Church is hosting a “Spa Day at
Peoria.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Facials, pedicures,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> refreshments, fun and relaxation will be on the agenda.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> The church is
two miles east of Maxwell on Highway 210 and 2.5 miles south on 670<sup>th</sup>
street.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> Tara and I hope to see you there!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There will be a free will offering
for the materials for the homes.</span></div>Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881920308687270453.post-67149838836786126682012-03-09T12:26:00.001-08:002012-04-27T10:58:31.162-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKf3KKFL5Ubegl0_FLECE-MV6r-cFnK9dSfmb_EC_xJ3rP_-9ACZIPI_hyphenhyphenkJnTbcR4SZVrgcvHtoi6a_CQlD6o2IdnyjK5tCSZbJ-1E1W4-3GSGTlKAylCItZVV24Gejqkn2p-5FVfA/s1600/grandmothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGBA6wWnX7SKjcb9BN2Ok5T3WmvsKtdBR_kNWwHTKjvm-kSlyjPf7vhih8eKmTdqgLZO9CZhFoSfNJ4igpjD4UB1MTf6d571sG_vqwxzPxV24r-jTsBLTPaPmYHgyeD5J1zE-w5Rx7Q/s1600/grandmothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGBA6wWnX7SKjcb9BN2Ok5T3WmvsKtdBR_kNWwHTKjvm-kSlyjPf7vhih8eKmTdqgLZO9CZhFoSfNJ4igpjD4UB1MTf6d571sG_vqwxzPxV24r-jTsBLTPaPmYHgyeD5J1zE-w5Rx7Q/s1600/grandmothers.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally! The pieces are coming together for our Africa mission trip. Tara and I are excited to volunteer at two different orphanages in Uganda, and we now have an itinerary and established goals. This blog is an invitation for you to join us on this adventure. Updates on travel plans, fund raising progress, and relationships built will be posted here. <br />
<br />
Tara and I thank you for your prayers and support. </div>
<br />
Itinerary (2012):<br />
<ul>
<li>September 1</li>
<ul>
<li>Our journey begins with our flight to Uganda. We've never been to Africa! </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>September 2-9</li>
<ul>
<li>We travel to Fathers Divine Love Ministries <a href="http://www.dignityafrica.org/" target="_blank">(www.dignityafrica.org</a>) in Jinja, Uganda. As part of our volunteer effort, we have taken on the challenge of raising $2,500 to pay for the
materials for a home for a widow who is looking after orphaned grandchildren in her village. Volunteers will be building this home. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>September 10-14</li>
<ul>
<li>Then to the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project <a href="http://www.nyakaschool.org/" target="_blank">(www.nyakaschool.org</a>) in Kampala, Uganda. As part of our volunteer effort, we have taken on the challenge of raising $2,000 to pay for two homes for grannies. Also, I will be providing bookkeeping assistance to the grandmothers regarding revolving funds, micro-finance and determining a good investment. Tara will help with updates for their "Sponsor-a-Student" program.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>September 15 </li>
<ul>
<li>Spend a day on our own</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>September 16 </li>
<ul>
<li>Return flight to Des Moines</li>
</ul>
</ul>Lynette Shererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07540846754464246262noreply@blogger.com1