Hunger never ends!

I was lucky enough to work at my local community Food Pantry. This was where the seed was planted so many years ago in my heart to reach out and help others who faced hunger! It had been several years since I had been there and as I walked through the doors, I remembered the people the faces and the stories.

I met the group I would be working with ~ a wonderful group of caring individuals! Things hadn't changed too much, and I was so pleased to see that the shelves were fairly well stocked! The "storage" area was also adequately stocked as well.

I was eager to begin to serve the people who had come to get their food. Knowing I was now not only serving my own community but villages and communities in Tanzania Africa too. There were some similarities but vast differences too. I greeted one lady who just needed a few staple items that her social security check would now afford her. She said she would not take anything she didn't really need that her heart remained steadfast with helping others by leaving what she didn't need. As we went through the local food pantry, I listened to her story of her life. She had a story to share and I don't think anyone took the time to ever listen to her. As we were finishing, we discovered that we were both cared for by the same doctor. We laughed and she thanked me for listening to her and not "rushing" her through. She reached out with a hug and it was the warmest hug I could have ever had! This is helping someone in more ways than just filling up her grocery bag. Another lady came through the food pantry and wanted to share her story with me as well. It was sad but a work injury that crippled her husband had also crippled their life as a family. They were left with little income and what they had could not afford them food on a daily basis. As we walked through the pantry, she kept talking and I kept reassuring her that God had a plan in her life. I asked that she just take baby steps and not look further than what was in front of her today. She promised me she would do that and gave me a big hug on her way out.

The food that we package here in the USA that gets shipped to Tanzania Africa, completely nourishes the bodies of hundreds of children who have nothing to eat. They have no government run food pantries in this country. The food that we are able to give them, truly saves lives. I have seen the children eat this food. They are completely quiet as they eat the rice, soy and vegetables. They are too weak to tell a story but I have seen by the looks on their faces as they are nourished by this food. They are not given a choice as to what they eat, they are just happy to have something TO eat!!

I will end with one thought for tonight, hunger is very real here and globally. We have the opportunity to change someones life for a day ~ take a leap of faith and reach out to help.....it will forever change you and the person you are helping.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Asante Sana Dear Friends!

A wonderful night was shared by my friends this weekend. We cooked all kinds of great Tanzanian dishes together, shared our stories about life in Tanzania and the USA and created a very Special Bond together!!

Thank you Elly, Mama Neema, Neice Elly, Dada Karen and Pastor Elias!!

The night was so blessed ~

Until next time~

Cheers!!

Just received word...

I have been in touch with my wonderful partners in Tanzania that our food program is going absolutely PERFECT!!! Sister Invioleta and Sister Mary are taking care of 60+ children a day and these children are so happy to know they can receive one nutritious meal during their day!! I am so blessed to have the right people helping me to watch over these children who need this food on a daily basis. I know that I don't have to worry one minute that things may not be going right because they are in full cooperation with this program.

I also want to Thank Sister Hilda in Singida for taking such wonderful care of the 500+ children that are fed by her during a week. This is the second "feeding center" that we are helping with our food packs. Sister Hilda is in touch with me and has assured me that the children are gaining strength in mind, body and spirit with the help of this food.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!! I Treasure everyone who helps me to help our friends in Tanzania.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Our children....Their children.

I had the opportunity to go on the 4th grade class field trip with my daughter and 43 of her classmates. The trip destination was to our wonderful state capital ~ Madison Wisconsin. There were several parents entered into a lottery to "win" seats on the wonderful motor coach bus that took us right from our elementary school to the state capital and back home again. What luxury. The students raised money throughout the school year to have a motor coach vs. a yellow school bus.

Each student was "allowed" to bring along whatever personal items they wanted, but "no cell phones" were allowed. As we began our journey to Madison I was in observation of all that our children had. Sitting around me were 14 children with Nintendo Dsi. These hand held devices play games and "chat" with other devices. The children that brought their DSi with them, began to "chat" with each other. They would have screen names and then type back and forth much like cell phones nowadays. I really began to wonder, how are these children who are 9 and 10 yrs old going to learn how to communicate effectively when their heads are down and they are using their fingers to type whatever nonsense they were typing. Every once in a while one of them would stand up and ask: "OK, who is Mickey" or "who is blue57" then someone would shout from the back of the bus, "its me"

As I think about the majority of our children on this class trip, I really began to wonder why we as Americans insist that our children have these toys? Is it because we don't want to take time with them, that we are too busy and this will keep them quiet? I couldn't help but wonder that almost every child in this bus had an electronic device of some sort ie: ipods, PSP, Ninteno with an average cost of $170 per device. I excluded 3 children from my calculation that would be a GRAND TOTAL of $6,800 worth of electronic items in the hands of 9 and 10 yr olds!!

As I envelope my work in Tanzania Africa, I equate things to how this money could be used to help the children who hug me because no one else does, how they have bellies full of worms due to bacteria ridden water and bellies that don't grumble anymore but merely hurt!!! The children in Tanzania don't want an electronic item, they just want to feel better, have strength to smile, walk and perhaps even run...this is what is on their list. $6800 could feed nearly 31,000 bellies, put clean water into 25 or more villages and change their lives forever.

My prayer for today and always is that my words that I type or speak will plant some seeds for the future. You can make a difference. I will be happy to help you to help others...all it takes is one simple email...I will connect you to the most fulfilling work you will ever experience. Give it some thought...it maybe the best decision you will ever make.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Teaching mission work to young children!

I had a wonderful opportunity this morning to share what it is like to be a "mission" person. I had 30 of the most wonderful, engaged young children who listened so well. Mission work is a hard concept to explain to younger children, but putting into terms where they can help others made it very easy for them to understand!! Although my mission work is on a larger scale than most, I asked these young children that if they wanted to pray for my mission that would be a huge help!! One little boy said he would "add" me to his prayer list at night!! WOW, I guess I couldn't ask for more than that could I??

My mission is to help my brothers and sister in Tanzania, but it is also helping my brothers and sisters here in the USA understand that the littlest things can have a huge impact on the great things happening in our world.

If you don't have anyone you are connected to at this point, I encourage you to walk with me on my journey. It will be an amazing journey ~ this I know for sure.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Thank you Curt!!

Thank you Curt for the great meeting today in Minneapolis!! The wonderful conversation and lunch we shared showed your focus and our focus are one in the same. We are extremely grateful for all the work you do in Tanzania and we look forward to a powerful future!!

Until next time~

Cheers!