"The Happiest Day for Simeon and Sula"

"The Happiest Day for Simeon and Sula"
Children's Book

Simeon and Sula Dolls

Simeon and Sula Dolls
Purchase and help those who suffer

Hajiba (middle) widow who made dolls

Hajiba (middle) widow who made dolls
Supporting the widows in Kenya

Simple Hope East Africa Director Charles Mpanda

Simple Hope East Africa Director Charles Mpanda
Dedication of SHEA Food! Thank you Country Director Charles Mpanda for your help!

Building a bridge of love between our worlds

Building a bridge of love between our worlds
Hand in hand we help each other!

Matonyak Orphanage

Matonyak Orphanage
Sharing Love with an orphan

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010

Thank you Prayer Breakfast MOM'S

What a great morning ...sharing my mission to help the "least of the least" in Tanzania with the "Mom's prayer group" this am!! You were so thoughtful and engaged with my mission work and I am very Thankful for allowing me to be your "guest speaker" this am!! It only takes one person to plant the seed...and our world will be full of beautiful growth!!!

I appreciate your kind hearts this morning!!

Until next time~

Cheers!!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!

I want to Thank my wonderful friends at ST. Mary's Parish ~ Hales Corners for the AWESOME AWESOME job they did with their meal pack for Haiti!!! They rustled up 385 volunteers and packaged 45,000+ meals to be delivered to their sister parish in Haiti. My partners Floyd and Kathy helped all day which was a complete blessing!!!

I am so honored to have worked side by side with the great friends I made at St. Mary's parish. I know their heart and hands were reaching out to Haiti to help feed their hungry little bellies was so comforting!!

My partners and I also picked up 31,000 meals in the semi and loaded them for delivery to Tanzania. My wonderful partners in Tanzania will distribute to the many hungry bellies I am helping to feed there!!

WHAT A WONDERFUL feeling that we can help so many......and if we ALL work together, we can do more and more!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

Until next time~

Cheers!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Partners.

I have been extremely blessed to be able to see the needs of my friends in Tanzania. It takes many hands to reach out and help. My vision is evolving as time goes on. Feeding the many hungry bellies has always been first and foremost in my line of vision!! I am happily connected to the most wonderful partners, Sr. Scolastica, Sr. Invioleta, Sr. Mary and Sr. Claudia. These women are the most incredible with their talents and skills to help the "least of those" They are building a wonderful food program for an area of Tanzania that calls for help everyday, every minute. The children that will be receiving our life saving nourishment on a daily basis are affected with HIV. They are all in school, but if their health is not treated properly with good nutrition they might not be able to continue in their studies. Can you imagine, living this way? Having parents who are sick, not able to give you the basic needs of living, no medical care, no food on a daily basis? Unfortunately this is their reality. It is sad, but with every bag of food you pack, you are giving one child pure nutrition for that day...YOU have helped to save a life!!

I could not be successful without the help of so many friends who have joined me! ! I want to Thank my partners ~ The sisters ~ for their help day in and day out. They feed these children with the food that has been packed here and I will tell you that those children Thank you everyday before each meal with a prayer.

I continue to pray for each and everyone of you who read my blog, listens to my stories and understands that my calling is not about me but about helping the "least of those"

Until next time~

Cheers!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Some of my favorite things...

As I look through the many many photo's that we took...I want to post them and have them tell their own story...such great friendships and partnerships made...I have been truly blessed by friends here in the USA and wonderful friends in Tanzania!!

Until next time~

Cheers!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Church in Tanzania!

Since it is Sunday today and I am preparing to leave for church, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the wonderful church services I attended while in Tanzania. I was in Singida for Easter Sunday. This was a wonderful bright sunny dry and hot day!! We had quite a few from our medical team that wanted to go to the Lutheran church and several that stayed in our compound for the Catholic Service. Both I believe were equally as beautiful (at least what I heard from my friends who attended the Catholic service) I do know that at the Catholic Mass there were 21 baptisms that day....WOW!!

There were nearly 10 of us that walked to the church which was about a mile and a half from the center where we resided for 2 weeks. The walk was beautiful. We meandered through the streets of Singida only to be greeted warmly by all the locals..wishing us a good day, greeting us with Easter Blessings and so on. By the time we arrived at church (this church was huge) it was already full!!!! We squeezed our way into the very back of the church as to not make a commotion when several "leaders" from the church told us to stand up that they had seats in the front for us!! Well you know what that means...we were the welcomed and honored guests!!! So we all marched to the front of the church and found two very tiny pews where we would sit!!! Now mind you there were 10 of us and enough space for probably 4!! So we called this the Tanzania "spooning" method. They don't believe in personal space so the closer you are the better!!! As we all "squished" into the pews, we were greeted with the choir who sang so beautifully. WOW...NO instruments but only their voices...it made my heart want to just jump up and sing with them...although I didn't know swahili, but I sure could have learned their "moves!!" The service continued with the Evangelist the the Pastor and finally the Bishop of the Central Diocese was there to do the sermon. At this point, somebody from the congregation must have seen our faces. We all were trying to "understand" what was being said but when you don't know the language that well....well,,,,you see what I am saying...I am sure we all had blank but satisfied stares on our faces!! She sent over a couple men to help us with interpreting. Of course where are we all going to sit??? Well, one sat down right between Karen and I and then one on the other side of me and then another a few down from there...it must have looked hilarious as we all "tried" to make more room!!!! There absolutely was not anymore room but we sat closer and closer and I believe Karen married Bob C during this time~haha!!

It was so nice to have our interpreter there to help us understand the sermon. As the sermon ended we could finish with the offering and more songs from the choir. We were all invited to the front of the church to introduce ourselves to everyone. They all knew we were with the medical team who had come to help at their hospital however it was nice for them to know our names and see our faces. After the service the entire church gathers around the outside to begin the "auction" whereby, people that don't have money for the offering might bring something to be auctioned off after the service. Our group, bought almost everything from fruits to vegetables. We in turn gave them to our kitchen staff at he social center!!! We were greeted by so many kind and simple people after the auction.

As we made our way back on foot, we all took our time to take in the beauty of Singida. The people, the live animals walking next to us and of course remembering fondly, our church service that had just nourished our souls.

It was a beautiful Easter, one in which has left an imprint on my heart forever.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

A night to remember!!

I woke up last night to the sound of rain a bit of thunder and a flash of lightening. It brought back the memory of what would have been the night I was to fly back home to the USA. The time of year I was in Tanzania is considered their "winter" or "rainy" season. It is also known by those in the safari or hotel business as the "low" season. More on that later!!

After arriving to JRO airport, the sign was posted at the door that all flights had been grounded. Much to my delight, I began to hug everyone around me, Thanking God for giving me just a few more days or weeks to work on the mission projects. Who would have known that this plan was in place from the very beginning??

So upon arriving back to our home, we were greeting once again by the kind and caring staff of Boniface, Tim-o and George and a host of others that cared so much for me/us while we were there. We were given the "apartment" for the remainder of our stay!! We had a small refrigerator a desk a table and chairs and nice big bed...it was home..away from home!!!

That evening as my two Dada's (sisters) were together, we had just basked in the joy of getting the "one minute more" little did we know it would be "weeks more" but that night it felt good to be able to continue our laughter and laughter we had...well into the night!!

As we were all laying in bed, waiting to fall asleep, trying not to talk as we knew it would just begin another long moment of laughter...the rain began...OH MY did it begin!!! The rain came down so hard, I don't remember in any of my days hearing rain sound so loud. As we talked, we raised our voices more and more and more so we could hear each other!! It went on not just for a minute, not for five...but for over an hour!!! Thunder and lightening began to add to this sound and all three of us sat up and bed and began to wonder if we were to begin to build an Ark??? I know my own fears were beginning to show as we looked outside and started to see puddles filling quicker than they were disappearing!!! It was a strange feeling to be stranded by an Icelandic volcano and the rains about to take us all away!!!

The rain was needed so much in Tanzania. They have suffered severe droughts for so long...I knew that the farmers who tended to their crops were probably smiling and dreaming happy dreams!! I had to say a prayer for this rain and for who the rain helped!! My fears of not knowing how to build that ark weren't quite as happy as most of the people who had been praying for this much needed rain.

I guess I will never hear a rainy night again without thinking of the laughter that went with it in Tanzania. Thanks to my two dearest friends, Karen and Ann...we shared a moment that will never be forgotten.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Prayer Shawl Ministry.

I want to Thank everyone who sent a prayer shawl with me to Tanzania. I was able to distribute all of them while I was doing my mission work. There were so many beautiful shawls it was hard to decide who to give them too. As we traveled from village to village, the needs jumped out and it was easy to decide. In so many ways, I wish I would have one for each person in Tanzania ~ however I would need alot of people to accomplish this task!!

The needs were great. Illness affects every family!! The lack of medical care in Tanzania is where it all begins. After working in Singida for 2 weeks and experiencing life at the hospital, I know exactly why so many die early in their lives. They don't have the equipment or supplies like we do here in the USA. They lack professional doctors, the lack supplies and the locals don't have money to pay for anything to get themselves better. Its a sad story for most.

I want everyone to know that I was able to deliver all of the prayer shawls. I was unable to capture photo's of everyone receiving one because some asked that I NOT take their photo's. I could respect their wishes and understood in their weakened state, a photo was the last thing they wanted to happen. If your prayer shawl does not show up in my photo's yours was one that was received by someone afflicted by much pain and suffering.

If you know anyone that is interested in this ministry, please let me know. The need is great and the end result helps so many who are afflicted by pain!!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out selflessly to give of your time and talent.

Until next time~

Cheers!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The cup of tea....

After we had spent the day learning about "bean farming" our dear friends Mike and Nico decided to take us to Nico's extended Family for an introduction. His extended family is part of the Masai tribe. They live in the Masai lands near Tanga. As we approached their homestead, it became very apparent to me that if I had to find there home I probably would have been somewhere between Egypt and South Africa!!! There are NO road signs anywhere and how in the world, Mike and Nico knew what dirt paths would lead us to their farm and home is beyond my imagination!! Seriously, not even a GPS could have gotten us to this place.

Once we arrived of course the children came running to our vehicle. I am quite convinced that they had never seen a white person by the looks on their faces. They were curious but shy and the little children were just plain frightened!! It was cute but I could understand how they felt. If all you have ever seen and experienced is your own race, I am sure seeing me would be a bit frightening!! Anyway, the older children would try to explain to the younger ones that we were their "rafiki's" and then they would hold our hands and make sure that their own hands had not turned white!!!

We were invited to look around their home/farm so we did just that. We walked to see all the crops they were growing, and the animals they had in their possession. It was so Peaceful. It was quite, I could hear the wind blowing, the grasses rustling the corn tilting over...it was such peace and solitude!! The sky was incredibly blue, the mountains that surrounded their land were breathtaking!!!

As we were finishing our walk, Mama Masai (Esther) and her husband (Francis) invited us to have tea. It was the traditional Masai tea with medicine in it. The medicine was found by the mountains and it tasted like chamomile. Esther who spoke some English said that it would calm our tummies. I enjoyed this cup of tea because it was shared with such love and friendship. I don't know if I can even put into words what it felt like to be an honored guest in their home. While we were sharing our tea with our friends, a goat was giving birth right behind my chair that I was sitting on. As I watched the birth of this goat, I noticed all the children helping the mama goat with her labor and birth. It was fascinating to me. These children knew just what to do. As the baby was born they quickly had the mother clean up the baby so that she would know to love the one that was just born. They kept putting the mama's nose on the baby. They cut the umbilical cord with their fingers and gave that to the Mama goat to eat...this built that connection to that baby. Within 15 minutes the baby stood up and began feeding on the mama. Their union had taken place.

We resumed our tea together and began to talk about our efforts with farming. At one point, Esther said she was so pleased that we came from so far away and cared so much for the people of Tanzania. She and Francis shared some conversation in their tribal tongue and when they were completed, she told me they had plenty of farm land and would like to give me 100 acres to farm. She said I could use this to help the many villages I was trying to help. She said you have come so far to help our people, this is the least we can do to help you. I will tell you I was speechless. What can you say to someone who is so gracious? I replied with Asante sana, Asante sana (thank you very much) and was choked up...I do believe I could have just cried right then and there!!!

Esther took me through their humble mud hut. She showed me their living room and bedroom. It was simple and peaceful. There was no electricity, just one door and one little window. I could feel the love all over their property. The farm fields, their home, their children all exuded love.

Our cup of tea was one of friendship and bonding. It was my chance to understand their life and to tell them a little about me. I feel incredibly blessed to know that I was able to connect closer to my Masai friends. They explained that now we are true friends and we are now able to share farm land when we develop our project.

I am so blessed with these great friends, Esther, Francis their children, Mike and Nico!! We will always have the bond of friendship and farming together.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Sometimes its the littlest things....

As Dr. Peter , Karen and myself began to prepare for the eye clinic in Singida we had much wonder about this clinic. We had no idea how many would show up, what the need would be for eyeglasses and further more, how many just wanted to come to see the "American's" who blew into town!!!

Our clinic was simple led by two very wonderful doctors who tried their level best to run an eye clinic on a daily basis in Singida. Dr. K and Dr. S did a great job with what they had. We had "toured" our clinic where we would be working everyday for a week and to my surprise it was a very small room. I think the entire working space we had was 10 meters long by 5 meters wide. Not a big place to do exams and set up a dispensary!!! As we pondered the first day how we would make this work, it became easily apparent that we would do our eye exams along one wall and set up our dispensary along the other. Mind you, there were 2 huge desks and 2 big tables that occupied this room already. There was no place to move these pieces of furniture. There was a couch and a bench and one big used examining chair!!! We shuffled all these pieces of furniture around and made this exam/dispensing room work!! I will tell you that from 12-3 this room got extremely HOT!!! We would have anywhere from 3-7 people in the room for exam and dispensing at a time!! The window cloth had to be put over the window at all time so Dr. Peter could test the "eyes" At one point, Karen and I felt we would both collapse ~ the heat was unreal and the door to the outside had to be kept shut!! We made it work!!

The people that came to this clinic ALL needed glasses. There were only a handful that did not qualify for anything. Cataract surgery is needed on a daily basis due to the closeness to the equator and their eyes literally getting "burned out" The remaining patients needed glasses for reading and distance.

We did "run out" of usable glasses at our clinic. Many that had been donated were not the right kind of glasses for our patients. We had a wonderful donator who sent over 1800 pair of sunglasses that we were able to distribute to everyone that came to visit ~ what a blessing this was for those who came!! By the end of the week as we walked around Singida we saw more and more people with our sunglasses on!!! Hopefully they know this is the only way to protect their eyes!!

I know I could work at this Hospital until I die and never be able to help everyone....the one week I was scheduled to work was fulfilling and life changing...it doesn't seem like enough, but sometimes its the littlest things that make a difference.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Photo preparation!

I am sorting through nearly 2000 photo's right now. I have so many wonderful memories of my 5 week mission trip to Tanzania.

I will sort and post this week!! I will have another 5 days of "stories" to share with you this week. If you have any questions for me please email me at: simplehope1@gmail.com. It is easiest for me to answer your questions with email.

Thank you for being patient!! I am very excited to share with you my stories.

Until next time~


Cheers!!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Killer Bees!!

Today's post will be a continuation of my "rice farming" day!!! While I was in Tanzania (Post volcano) I was fortunate to become a rice farmer for the day!! This is a day that was pivotal for me and what I want to do to help my many friends in Tanzania. As we worked EVERY part of the rice field that day, I had the opportunity to help "swap" the rice. I along with several migrant farmers pounded the rice onto a rice bag where it would be gathered by the children who would haul it to the village to "dry" for a week. After I pounded much of the rice, I was walking back to my "video" recording professional (thanks Mike) and as he was interviewing me on the experience, he shouted loud to "GET DOWN GET DOWN" I was laughing and surprised and didn't understand why...but quickly crouched on my knees and put my hands over my head!! He kept telling me to listen and as I did, I heard this loud hum...getting closer and closer. I peaked out of the corner of my eyes and saw this huge black cloud getting closer. The cloud was nearly a few feet above my head then left and went off in the distance. I quickly asked Mike what it was and he said it was a swarm of "Killer Bees" that make there way around these fields and if you don't get down they would have gone right through us!!! WHEW...that is what they call a close call!!!!

Just another day of rice farming...with another new experience to write about!!!

Until next time~

Cheers!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Continuation....

After we left the school for the Disabled children we drove to Moshi. It was a beautiful day, the sun was bright, the clouds were puffy white and the rest of the sky could not have been more blue. As we drove away from this village I was reminded of the simplicity of the Tanzania people. The women walking with their "goods" on their head...once again I was admiring their strength both physically and mentally. Most of these women had children along side of them holding their hands or guiding them off the road as cars would pass by. The cattle and men herding them was yet another reminder of how life remains simple and basic....maybe they have worries and stresses but from the looks of it, they are content and happy to be alive. As I drove past each person, I wondered what they were thinking as they looked at me. I was reminded that if I kept these people in my memory I could pray for them even though I didn't know their names, their lives might be a little it better.

We arrived in Moshi with the help of our friend Mike who so patiently drove us to meet our dear friends Sister Scolastica, Agasta, Claudia et all. We met at the "provincial house" where we were greeted with the warmest welcome. It was mid afternoon and we had not stopped for lunch along the way. Our dear friend Sister Scola had her sisters prepared their "leftover" lunch of rice and beans. As we were invited to the lunch area, we were so welcomed by the beautiful place mats, clear plates and the warmth like being at your Grandmothers house. We were most welcomed. Mike had decided to remain outside to watch the vehicle and rest a bit. The dear sisters took him a Fanta so that he could relax. He was so patient and never once complained about driving and waiting for Karen and I. We were so blessed by his patience.

We departed with Sister Scola and made our way to the Sisters school/convent/university about and hour from Moshi. Here is where we were greeted by "all" the sisters who were in training and others that were completed and working for God 24/7/365. WOW talk about a powerful experience. Our "partners" for our food programs were finalized and put into place. We were able to share a Coke and some homemade popcorn with them and talk about how we will move forward to help serve the "least of the least" I feel so great that my partners with the sisters is finalized and I can trust all that they will do to help me to help them!! Our first school that we will begin to serve has more than 90% children that are infected with HIV. The area is very very poor and most parents have no education or viable employment. We will begin to share our Kids Care Food with them until we can incorporate our self sustaining farming program. This is where our "project managers" come to help us!! Mike, Nico, Steve and Mike will all be very instrumental in helping us move forward positively with all of our ways of building these children to great strength!!

As we were finishing our time we returned to Mike who had been waiting so patiently for us. It was near dark and we knew we had taken up so much time and needed to get back to Arusha before it was dark. We said our farewells to our "partners"/sisters and began our journey back to Moshi to drop off Sister Scola. On our drive we were all in such great amazement at the events of this day. As I was speaking with Sister Scola who was in the front of the vehicle, my eyes popped out of my head. There was the biggest brightest most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. We all looked with amazement and knew that this was a sure sign that our day was blessed in greater ways than we ever could have planned. Then Mike had us look out the right side of the vehicle and there was Mt. Kilimanjaro it is complete beauty. We had gone past this Mountain several times in the 5 weeks we were there and never got to see it..but today, the rainbow and the sight of this mountain, made us all aware of the wonderful beauty of our earth!!

It was a day we could not have planned, but one that was already planned for us!!! We will all remember how we felt on this drive home....at least until the next rainbow comes!!!

Until next time~

Cheers!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Musings continue...

"Post Volcano" will be the term I use alot in the next weeks of talking about my mission in Tanzania. If it hadn't been for this volcano, I never would have gotten the opportunity to do all the great things I did. Thank God for my friend Mike!! He was available to Karen and I for all we wanted to do, our late night requests, our laughing on how seeds were being planted and growing during this time of uncertainty...and even though he had a full schedule himself, he journeyed with us and helped connect us to the people that we needed to meet. Asante Sana Mike...You were such a blessing to us and our work!!

We met a wonderful Pastor at a Lutheran Church we were visiting one Sunday. She was the "visiting" Pastor that day and new that we were "guests" as we were the only white people in church that Sunday. She quickly greeted us after service and invited us to her office. We talked about why we were in TZ...what we had already accomplished and what our goals were for Simplehope. She invited us to a school that she was connected too near Moshi/Kilimanjaro. This school was a school built solely for children with physical handicaps. As my passion to help the "least of the least" this seemed to be a great connection for me.

Mike so graciously drove us to visit this school. We arrived with the coordination of Pastor Anna and were greeted by the Head Teacher. It was a National Holiday the day we were visiting but it was ok...he wanted to show his school to us. There are 85 children that live there as it is a boarding school. These children are all in wheelchairs, walkers and or crutches. There are many afflicted with MS and other crippling diseases. The head teacher explained that the rely on support from donors and a little comes from the diocese of Moshi. The school was well thought out, it takes the needs of these 85 children into account with handicap bathroom access, beds that can accommodate wheelchairs and the pathways between buildings are all flat and smooth so these children are safe. This school teaches the children how to gain independence within themselves and to instill pride into their everyday life. They are taught how to do their own laundry, to clean and cook and all the children take extreme pride in learning and executing what they learned.

This school is powered by solar energy!! They have some crops growing to support their everyday food intake, they also have some farm animals to use for milk and egg production. They not only take them to fish but teach them to fish!!

As we were ending our tour of this school, all the children came together to sing Mike, myself and Karen a song. They began by singing which led into clapping then they were moving back and forth as if they were dancing. Tears were welling up in my eyes as they were so proud of themselves. Their voices were like angels!! We had the opportunity to share a few words with them and I encouraged them to keep learning and never give up!! I told them that I would share their story on my blog and that many would pray for them. They all clapped and understood the power of prayer!!

We shared tea with the Head teacher and talked about his accomplishments in this school. Of course I hope there is a way I can find people here to connect to the children there. They need encouragement and love and I would love to connect children and adults to these wonderful children.

Our day ended with another song from the children and a kind farewell. They saw our faces, they know that there are people that care about them. Perhaps I could connect some prayer shawls to them..anyone interested??

I will post the second part of this day tomorrow...more miracles happened to us this day!! This was only the beginning of a very wonderful day!!

Until next time~

Cheers!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Join me on Facebook!!

My facebook name: Pamela Schwalbach. I share lots of fun photo's and news on facebook as well as this blog!!

Until next time~

Cheers!

Recounting my memories!

5 weeks of memories are alot to blog, so I have decided that each day I will recount one or two memories of my trip. This will allow me to focus on special ways that I was brought closer to my friends in Tanzania. Today I want to share with you about a day in Singida. I was preparing to leave for the hospital where I was working with my "dada" (sister in Swahili) and my friend Dr. Peter from Nairobi. We had just finished breakfast and tea and made our way to the hospital. As we were arriving, the eye clinic was filled up with patients needing and wanting eye glasses!! This was our second day of our eye clinic. We had set up our "dispensary" and Dr. Peter had his small eye examining station set up. A lady came through dressed in the most beautiful dress. She had been examined by Dr. Peter and it was determined that she needed glasses. Her vision was extremely low and we needed to match her up with a pair of glasses. I searched and searched to match her with the exact prescription but was unable to find what she needed. We had hundreds of donated eyeglasses but none that would match her Rx. I was beside myself as I know what it is like to not be able to see things clear. I went through all the bags we had and still found nothing. Among a pile of glasses that we had not individually bagged yet was her exact match. One pair with the exact Rx!!! I had her try them on. She read the chart clearly and began to cry. She said over and over: Asante Sana Asante Sana. This was the first time in her life she could actually see things clearly. I knew at that moment that this simple eye clinic was changing the lives of many!! As she was walking away, she said I will be back in 15 minutes. I wasn't sure what she meant but continued with the clinic, helping dozens of others. She returned later and asked me to step into a small examining room. In this room she brought her daughter who was a tailor. She brought several swatches of fabric with her and said she wanted to make me a dress. My eyes began to well up with tears. I did not expect this, nor did I want her to go out of her way to do this for me. She said she wanted to show me her deepest appreciation for allowing her to see clear for the first time in her life. Her daughter took my measurements and the next day a beautiful dress was made. I know that my heart was changed that day!! I went to Tanzania for many reasons, but the one I wanted to achieve most of all was to help as many as I could. My calling is to reach out and help those least of the least...it is my greatest honor to do this work. I will never forget the tears in Celima's eyes the day she could see....this is what we are here to do....reach out your hand just once to someone...and the results will forever change your life.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Thank you Grafton High School/Ozaukee County.

The May 1st Packathon a huge success!!! We managed to package 30,000 meals in just under 5 hours!! I had the most wonderful group of volunteers who by the way, carried out this pack with their own fortitude until I arrived home just 24 hours before the "pack"

I want to sincerely Thank Jim G, Pacha, Robin, Sue, Toni, Alisa, Polly, Dorothy, Emmett, Chris, Cindy, Libby, Tom, Bre and all the others that came to help make this event possible. The committee really took care of promoting and distributing the information and made this entire event a success.

Sometimes in the darkest hour we are reminded that if we remove our worries, things turn out greater than we could ever expect!!

Many many many Thanks from the bottom of my heart for helping the starving children in Tanzania. Our partners in Tanzania are very proud and joyful with what we accomplished Saturday!!

Until next time~

Cheers!!