TEN DAYS UNTIL DEPARTURE MIXED FEELINGS

HI, SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN WRITING VERY BUSY SCHEDULE AND NO ELECTRICITY . THE BLESSINGS CONTINUE FROM GOD . I AM BECOMING A AMERICAN MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER TO MANY YOUNG AFRICAN FAMILIES AND HAVE EVEN HAD A CHILD RENAMED AFTER ME. MY WORK CONTINUES TO BE NEW AND EXCITING AS I DO MORE EDUCATING , AND INTERACTION WITH MANY WIDOWS, AND ORPHANS. I AM REALLY CONNECTING WITH THE CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS IN SO MANY SPECIAL WAYS. SEVERAL TEENAGEAGER AMD I SAT IN THE GRASS TALKING ABOUT THERE GOALS AND AMBITIONS JUST LIKE AT HOME EXCEPT FOR THE POVERTY AND LACK OF RESOURCES, I FELT REALLY HONORED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH ME ON SO MANY LEVELS. ONE GIRL IN PARTICULAR WHO REALLY WANTS TO GO TO SCHOOL BUT IS AT SR. ONE LEVEL AND HAS NO FUNDS. TODAY WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR SHE AND I TALKED AND I AM SPONSORING HER EDUCATION FOR ONE YEAR . WE WENT SHOPPING FOR SCHOOL NEEDS JUST LIKE A GRANDAUGHTER, SHE WAS IN TEARS OF JOY. I ALSO HAVE DECIDED TO USE SPONSOR MONEY TO PAY FOR THE SURGERY OF THE YOUNG BOY I SPOKE OF EARLIER , HE WILL NOT HAVE A NORMAL LIFE WITHOUT IT, AND I KNOW GOD IS GUIDING ME TO HELP THRU YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS. WE HAD A TEAM OF EUE SPECIALIST FROM ONE OF THE MAJOR HOSPITALS COME AND DO EYE EXAMS AND SURGERIES FOR TWO DAYS THIS WEEK, OVER 200 PEOPLE RECEIVED EXAMS AND 15 SURGERIES. I WAS ABLE TO ASSIST WITH SURGERIES , TOOK PICTURES, DISPENSED GLASSES,MEDS ETC. ALL SERVICES WERE FREE THRU SPONSORS AND VERY PROFESSIONAL TEAM.
LAST WEEKEND WE VISITED THE MORE MOUNTAIN AREA HIKED ABOUT FOUR MILES UP AND DOWN HILLS, THRU BANANA AND JUNGLE GROWTH TO THREE DIFFERENT WATERFALLS, REALLY SPECTACULAR , SAW SOME GEOREOUS FLOWERS , ALL IN THE RAIN, MY SHOES WILL NEVER BE FREE OF MUD. IT WAS WORTH IT , FOUR TWENTY YEAR OLDS AND ME , THEY WERE IMPRESSED WITH MY ENDURANCE .SUNDAY WE WENT TO SIMPLE VILLAGE CHURCH MADE OF TIN WALLS AND ROOF, WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP AND MESSAGE, AND TESTIMONY FROM PEOPLE FREED OF SOME TERRIBLE EVIL SPIRITS, AND KNOW WORKING FOR GOD. ALSO TAUGHT IN THE AFTERNOON , FORTY WOMAN FROM A VILLAGE,

HEALTH PRINCIPALS , NUTRUTION, SAFE WATER ETC, ,THEY ARE SO EAGER TO LEARN AND ARE SO APPRECIATIVE.MY TIME IS WINDING DOWN WITH VERY MIXED FEELINGS , I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO LEAVE FAMILY , EVERYONE IS SO LOVING WHEN LOVE IS SHOWN THRU GODS HANDS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS , KATHY

NEW FELLOWSHIP AND BLESSINGS

DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, ANOTHER WEEK OF NEW ADVENTURES AND GOD'S HANDS AT WORK. I CONTINUE TO FEEL GOD'S HANDS HELPING ME AT THE CLINICS AS I DIAGNOSE AND TREAT MANY NEW CASES. I AM GETTING CLOSER TO THE CHILDREN AND VOLUNTEERS , AND MAKING EVEN MORE FRIENDS THRU THE CONTACTS AT CHURCH AND WITH THE AFRICAN PEOPLE AT THE CLINICS. THE CHILDREN AT SMILE AFRICA NOW CALL ME KATHY(NOT MAZUNGO WHITE WOMAN)THIS IS A BIG STEP IN OUR FRIENDSHIP. EVERYDAY MY LIFE IS TOUCHED IN DIFFERENT AND WONDERFUL WAYS BY THESE PEOPLE , WHO HAVE SO LITTLE BUT ARE SO THANKFUL AND HAPPY . I PLAY NEW GAMES WITH THE KIDS ON MY BREAKS, THE GIRLS CAME TO GET ME TO PLAY SOCCER WITH THEM AGAINST THE BOYS , GUESS WHO WON. THIS GIVES ME A CONNECTION WITH THE OLDER GIRLS WHEN WE ARE DOING SOME EDUCATION ON SAFE H2O, PERSONAL HYGIENE , EVEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS ,ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE NO FAMILY . I HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED TO A RACE BY SOME OF THE OLDER BOYS.
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
I ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO HELP OUR NURSE MIDWIFE , SHE IS STRUGGLING WITH A BROTHER WHO HAS AIDS, HE IS WELL ADUCATED, BUT MADE A BAD CHOICE OF A GIRLFRIEND. SHE CONFIDED IN ME THAT HE HAS BECOME VERY DEPRESSED, AND KNOW IS REFUSING TREATMENT , SHE IS HIS PRIMARY CAREGIVER. I WAS ABLE TO PRAY WITH HER FOR HER BROTHER WHICH I BELIEVE GOD BROUGHT US TOGETHER FOR THIS PURPOSE, NOT JUST AS FELLOW NURSES, FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES ,BUT AS CHRISTIANS . MY PURPOSE FOR COMING TO UGANDA IS EVOLVING WITH GOD'S PLAN NEW EVERYDAY, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU BY EMAIL, KJFASTTRACJ@JUNO.C.
LOVE IN CHRIST, KATHY

SECOND WEEK IN AFRICA GODS BLESSINGS CONTINUE

DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR POWERFUL PRAYER SUPPORT , IT ALLOWS ME TO HAVE CONFIDENCE GOD IS WORKING THRU ME TO HELP MANY WOMAN AND CHILDREN. EVERYDAY IN THE CLINIC WE TREAT OVER 5O PEOPLE WITH WOUNDS, MALARIA , RESP. AND GI PROBLEMS. I AM DIAGNOSING AND TREATING WITH THE HELP OF AN INTERPRETER, SINCE MOST PEOPLE SPEAK SWAWHILY, OR SEVERAL OTHER DIALECTS, ALTHOUGH MANY SPEAK ENGLISH.ON FRIDAY I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AT TRUVINE AND ASSISTED WITH IMMUNIZATIONS OF CHILDREN ,TAUGHT A GROUP OF MOTHERS, NUTRITION FOR THEMSELVES AND BABIES, BREAST FEEDING AND PERSONAL HYGIENE, BIRTH CONTROL IS ALSO BECOMING OF A CONCERN AMONG THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN . WE THEN WALKED TO A VILLAGE ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AWAY AND SAW OVER 100 CHILDREN WHO WALKED TO A CENTRAL AREA FOR VARIOUS INJECTIONS AND MEDS FOR WORMS GIVEN MONTHLY. THIS WAS AN AREA OF MUD HUTS . VERY THANKFUL PEOPLE AND THE CHILDREN ARE SO CURIOUS ABOUT MAZUNGO'S(WHITE PEOPLE) . THE CHILDREN LOVE TO RUB MY SKIN TO SEE IF IT IS BLACK UNDERNEATH. THEY ESPECIALLY ARE FASCINATED WITH MY STRONG MUSCLES. I TAKE PICTURES AND THEY LIKE SEEING THEMSELVES. I FEEL SO THANKFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS I HAVE WHEN I SEE THERE POVERTY BUT THE CHILDREN PLAY AND HAVE FUN JUST LIKE IN AMERICA.
I AM MEETING MANY PEOPLE WHEN I GO TO CHURCH AND AM ENJOYING THER LIVELY MUSIC AND DANCING . PASTOR DAVE THEY REALLY SING OUT IN PRAISE WE COULD LEARN FROM THEM!THEY HAVE VARIOUS PRAISE TEAMS LEADING THE SINGING AND DANCING MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.
I HIKED A MOUNTAIN ON SAT. SAW A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE CITY AND THEN CAME BACK AND TAUGHT FIVE AFRICAN'S SWIMMING LESSONS , PASTOR RUTH THE DIRECTOR OF SMILE AFRICA AND FOUR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS, IT HAS BROUGHT GREAT FRIENSSHIPS BY EVEN USEING THIS GIFT FROM GOD.
I AM SENDING A PICTURE I HOPE IT COMES THRU OKAY ON THE BLOG.
CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ME. WRITE SOMETIME I MISS ALL OF YOU.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, I AM HAVING AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE AND FEEL SO BLESSED TO BE HERE IN UGANDA AND IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A WEEK. THE PEOPLE I HAVE MET ARE SO THANKFUL I AM HERE FROM THE PASTORS AND WORKERS AT SMILE AFRICA TO THE 300 PLUS CHILDREN.I AM LOVING THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE AND AFFECTIONATE PEOPLE , BUT IT IS AMAZING THE POVERTY.I AM LEARNING SO MUCH IN TREATING CHILDREN FROM SMILE AFRICA BUT ALSO FROM THE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE SO MANY UNBELIEVABLE STORIES OF ABANDONED CHILDREN AND VIOLENCE WHUCH IS AMAZING. WE ARE TREATING A LOT OF MALARIA AND WOUNDS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF MY WOUND EXPERTISE AND SUPPLIES I BROUGHT WHICH IS MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE AFRICAN NURSE. WE TREAT 50 TO 100 PEOPLE EVERYDAY. I WAS ABLE TO GO TO A REMOTE VILLAGE ON SAT WITH PASTOR RUTH AND EVALUATE A YOUNG 10YEAR OLD BOY WHO HAS A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION , WE TOOK PICTURES OF HIM TO BRING TO A CHILDRENS HOSPITAL ON WED ABOUT TWO HOURS AWAY AND DISCUSS THE CASE WITH A DOCTOR . I EXPERIENCED THE REAL AFRICA WITH THE MUD HUTS, NO UTILITIES, LARGE FAMILIES INTERESTING LIVESTOCK. THE CHILDREN ARE ADORABLE AND THE FAMILY WAS SO APPRECIATIVE TO HAVE ME COME, THEY ALLOWED ME TO PRAY FOR THEM . THE CHILDREN LOVED TP SEE THEMSELVES IN THE NUMEROUS PICTIRES I TOOK. THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY ARE VERY STRONG CHRISTIANS AND SHARED FRESH PINEAPPLE FROM THERE FIELD. I TOOK SOME UNBELIEVABLE PICTURES WHICH I WILL SHARE LATER.
THE CHILDREN AT SMILE AFRICA ARE ADOPTING ME AS THER NANA, THE LITTLE ONES LOVE BEING PICKED UP AN D SWONG IN THE AIR, THE OLDER BOYS HAVE FOUND OUT WHEN WE PLAYED SOCCER THAT I AM AN ATHLETE, SO KNOW ON MY BREAK THEY COME TO GET ME TO PLAY, THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY FOR ME TO CONNECT WITH THEM AS AN ACTIVE GRANDMA. I HAVE EVEN TAUGHT THE A SERIES OF HIGH FIVES WHICH WE DO OVER AND OVER, EVEN THE TEENAGERS.
SUNDAY I WENT TO A TRULLY PENTACOSTAL STYLE CHURCH, WONDERFUL WORSHIP TEAM WITH DRUMS AND KEYBOARD, LOT OF GOOD DANCERS, AND A WONDERFUL MESSAGE . I WAS ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE 1000 MEMBERS, BROUGHT GODS BLESSING FROM ARIZONA CHRISTIANS WHICH THEY CHEERED ABOUT. WONDERFUL WARM HANDSHAKES FROM MANY

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR GOD BLESSING ME WITH THIS EXPERIENCE AND FOR ALL YOUR PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. I WILL SEND PICTURES AND WRITE MORE LATER
I
IN CHRISTS SERVICE LOVE KATHY

Kathy's adventure is about to begin!

Happy New Year! January 11, 2010 is my departure date for Uganda. I have entered your email address to receive the messages I post on this website: www.kathysafricanadventure.blogspot.com. The entire posting will come to you in the form of an email, so you will not need to log on to a website. However, if you'd like to give this address to others who may be interested, or if you'd like to see trip photos that I plan to post, please log in and set up an account with the address above. This is a test email to make sure you will receive all future emails I post, so please email me at kjfasttrack@juno.com to let me know you've received it. Also, thank you very much for your prayers and financial support.