More to our Journey

It has been 3 years since we were in Africa helping Joy In the Harvest out with whatever God put in front of us. Needless to say I am ready to go back. In the past 3 years a lot has happened with my husband and I. We reached our goal and then some for the nets that we were buying for the orphanages, the homeless, and for the needy. To know that when I do leave this earth and know that I did make a difference in someone's life, puts a smile to my face. When we went to Africa we put aside an important decision in our lives. We were not going to try for a baby. When we came back, we decided to try again. We were not successful. We even went through the process of Adoption. We went through a Lawyer and she later on told us to put our names on other lists, the process wasn't going as well as she had hoped. So we went to Indy and talked with an agency down there. They were very nice and very supportive. On our way down we had talked about fertility. We also brought that up to the Agency and they encouraged us to try it. We didn't do it before, because it was me that was against it. I had heard all the horror stories and I didn't want to go through it. I was just feeling better with not having any anxiety attacks and my depression wasn't as bad. So there was no way I was going to go through that and put me back into that cycle again. Well we had talked with some friends that were going through fertility and the more we talked about it, we thought why not? So we tried fertility. That didn't work for us either. Last year I went to church and I went to the alter. I knelt down and I told God that everything that I have to offer, all that I am, and all that you want me to be is in your hands. He knows my desires, and my dreams and they are his. He knows how much I want to be a mother someday, but that is his to have as well. As I was kneeling down, I felt someone put their arm under mine and she asked me "What can I pray with you about?" Then another arm was around my shoulder. I had told these two women what I had done and what I had longed for. They held me, prayed for me and they comforted me. We also prayed for my husband and our marriage. I am so grateful that God brought these two women to be with me at that time. I know there are a lot of women that have been in my shoes and have actually gone farther then we have. I also know that miracles happen everyday. I do pray, and hope that I will be able to tell you a miracle story too. This process wasn't only stressful for me, but it was for my husband. He is hurting just as much as I am if not more, because of being a man. A man that is to provide for their family. I am still blessed to have him in my life. We may not have a baby now, but we do have 3 four legged kids that we truly love. Oh and yes, they are a huge part of our family. So in a way the more I think about it, I am a Mom. I am a Mom to Lacie, Minnie, and Buddy. They put smiles on our faces all the time and they love to see us when we get home. They love us unconditionally and they are great listeners. :)  My desire to have a baby is still there, and I really do believe our baby is out there somewhere ready to come home. :) 

Other things have happened since we left Africa. We just recently bought a house in my home town. We are LOVING our new house. It is a ranch style house and it fits us very well. We have our old house up for sale and we are praying that someone will snatch it up and be blessed in it as much as we have been. Last October, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We flew out to Arizona and we saw the Grand Canyon, we walked through Antelope Canyon, and we saw some other beautiful scenery. Needless to say we would like to go back. In March we went with my husbands work and we went skiing in Michigan. I took a lesson and I can tell you now, I know how to ski. LOL 

We have so much to be thankful for in our lives and I am doing what I can to take each day as it comes and be the person I was meant to be. :) 

Almost 1 year!

Can you believe it has almost been one year ago that Kevin and I were in Africa. Almost, just 17 more days. 16 more days is when we left. LOL So much has happened since then. Kevin has a full time job now and he is loving it. I am still working at the same place and still praying that we get 40 hours soon. All though I love having my Monday's off to spend time with my Dad. Our puppies Mickey, Buddy, and Lacie are doing well and maturing for the most part. LOL Kevin and I now have a new niece named Victoria. My sister-in-law and her husband adopted her from India. She is beautiful and a joy to be around. Her brothers just love her to death and she loves them. Let me see, what else can I share with you? Oh yes the mosquito netting for the children in Kigoma. I am happy to say we just need $869.00 to reach our goal of $3,150.00. Then all the children in the orphanage in Kigoma will have new nets to protect them. How awesome! What is also neat in Kigoma is they are about done with the Community Center. They have a roof on now and I believe they are working on the inside now. They also have clean water from their well and they have a generator for the guest houses. So there will be water and electricity for everyone. We know that God is not done with us yet and it is amazing what he is showing us. I love to see him work and to be a part of it has no words. God Bless all of you.

Julie and Kevin

Just $2,432.00 to go!

It is now September and the leaves are starting to change color. I love this time of the year. It is just beautiful! What I wanted to tell you and share with you is this. I went to my Dad's on Monday as I do almost every Monday, and he showed me the Church Bulletin. For the month of October, all the donations will be used for Joy In The Harvest for the nets that we are working on getting over to Kigoma. I am so excited about this. We have collected so far $718.00 and we just need $2,432.00 to reach our goal of $3,150.00. It is amazing how God works and what he does for all of us. I feel so blessed to know he is with me where ever I go and his arms are always around me. How awesome is that? If you can put in your prayers this mission and please pray for the people in Kigoma. They are still working on the hospital. They hope to hear something soon to know if they get the land where the hospital will be built on. Also one of the gate keepers there just lost his son over the weekend. Please pray for him and his family. There are a lot of prayers that need to be said and I am praying for all of you now and I know that God is listening and he is there with you as well. Grab him and take him in. He would love to have you. God Bless all of you.

Love,

Julie and Kevin

Update

Hello to everyone. I know it has been awhile since I have written in here and a lot has gone on. That gives me more to tell you about. I didn't know if I have mentioned this but if I did then you get to read about it again if not then great you still get to read about it. When Kevin and I came back from Africa, there has been something wailing on my heart. It was the orphanage and the living conditions they were in. One of the things that stuck with me was the mosquito netting. The netting had holes in them. I talked with the president of the company I work for and he helped me look at some places that sell mosquito netting. Well he found one in Tanzania and the nets are medicated and they last 5 years. The best part was that they only cost $6.30. I say that is the best part because I was looking and found them around here for $75.00 and up. Those weren't medicated or last 5 years. How crazy is that? So I told Mwenge who is the 2nd hand guy of Joy In The Harvest about this. I asked him how many they would need and what was the best way to get the money to him and the nets. So this is what he told me. They 500 of them if possible. He said to have the money be sent to Joy In The Harvest at the Illinois office and Melinda will send out Tax exempts to those that have donated and she will put the money in an account for the nets only. Once we reach our goal then I will let Mwenge and Melinda know. Then Mwenge will order and pick the nets up and he will distribute them to the orphanage. He will also take pictures of them recieving the nets and then send the pictures to me. Then I will post them and email them to those that have contributed. That way everyone will see where their money went. You can check out the website for the nets at www.oleyset.net and you can also read and learn about Joy In The Harvest at www.joyintheharvest.com. Since this is so important to me and to the Kigoma orphans we have raised so far $558.00. We just need $2,592.00 to reach our goal. I know we will get there and when we do, I will cry like a baby. LOL

So that is my mission that I am working on since I have been back. If we make more then that, then I hope to have some money raised for their mattresses. :)

I did talk at my Dad's church on the 28th of June. It went well. I was nervous but once I got going it went smooth. Everyone was interested in what I had to say and what I was doing. They gave me hugs and told me how great of a job I did. Then some were shaking my hand and when I did that I had money in my hand. I was so touched and truly did not expect that at all. The next day I took that money and sent it off to Joy In The Harvest. God has shown me so many things that I have been blessed with. I am so thankful to have him in my life and for him to show me what path he wants me on. I pray I never stray from his path.

God Bless all of you,

Julie

I know it has been awhile since I have been on here. So I thought since there was an email I recieved that just hit me in the heart, I wanted to share it with you. This email says so much and it really describes what the church was like in Africa. So here it is:

Mark 12:42-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the pothers. They all gave out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty, put in everything- all she had to live on.”
While our medical mission team was in Tanzania we had the opportunity to attend the Methodist Church in Kigoma where Lowell and Claudia Wertz, our missionary hosts, attend. Church in Africa is quite an event and experience, and can go on for hours. This particular worship service included a visit from the District Superintendent, a visiting choir performance and three weddings. The traditional church hour turned into three, but really flew by with so much to look at and so much going on. Praise and worship energy abounded, and even though the language spoken was Swahili, the language of the heart in worship was the same for all- Love.
A meagerly dressed elderly woman sitting in front of me turned around just before the offering time and opened her very small hand to reveal one small coin, probably worth less than a penny. She spoke something in Swahili to us. Claudia smiled and responded in Swahili, at which point she turned back around smiling. Claudia then told me quietly the woman had asked if we had anything more to share with her for her offering since she had so little to give. Claudia assured her what she gave from the heart was worth more than what most people gave. I immediately thought I was sitting right behind the original woman from the widow’s mite story in Mark.
Watching these very poor, but generous people approach the offering box with coins that could have meant food and water for them or their family for the day or week, humbled me beyond words. I asked myself then, and will continue to ask, “What am I willing to give to my Lord and my God today and everyday?”
Father God, Thank you for giving so generously to us so that we, in turn, can give generously to others. Open my eyes to opportunities to share my gifts, talents and treasure.

What adds to this is I was asked by my Dad's church to speak in June about our trip. I am so excited to do this and I love telling everyone about our trip. I really believe that this is one of the things I am to do. So on the 28th of June I will be telling our story at my Dad's church. :) I am pretty excited. :) We all have our talents, gifts, and treasures that God had made in us and it is up to us to find them and use them. I think I found one. :)

Praise God!

Hello everyone,

I wanted to give you an update of what has been going on in Kigoma. Right now they have a team of Medical Dr.'s and nurses from Texas. They have converted the computer builiding into a clinic. What is neat about this clinic is it is free. How awesome is that? So this was one of the emails we recieved from Claudia:

"PTL! The 8 from TX have arrived and all 16 trunks of supplies (with some goodies for the kitchen).Please pray the Lord will richly bless all the time and planning that has gone into their trip.We have converted the computer school into the "JOY FREE CLINIC" with signs all over town.The speakers all over town and on the radio are letting the population know they can come to JOY for medical treatments.The first thing you see on the wall when you enter our make shift clinic is "Joy in the Harvest .... so they may know Jesus".Blessings to you as you serve Him,"Claudia

Then today we received this email from Terry:

Here is some photo's of the medical clinic and the first morninglines. This is Wed morning here and they have treated I think 360Tanzanian's. They are shooting for at least 1000 while they are here.They lost a couple of children which had Malaria of the brain. Iguess they don't have a medication for this stage of Malaria.

He did send some pictures as well, but I don't know how to put those on here as of yet. I will tell you that the pictures are awesome! They bring tears to my eyes. I also wanted to share this with you. Every year I help the Country radio B100 here in Mishawaka, South Bend area out with St. Jude's. I help take donations. Well I called them today on my break and I talked with one of the DJ's. I told him about what was going on in Kigoma and he then put me on the radio. It was pretty neat. I know this was God's doing because I felt him telling me to do this. So I did it. I thanked him after I did it and I just feel good about doing it. It is really amazing what God can do. I just wish more people would see what he does. I just wanted to share this with you all. Until next time.

God Bless you all and Love you,

Julie

P.S. I was able to get one of the pictures up. Yea!

Presentation

Well our Presentation at New Life Church in Rochester IN, went well. JoAnn and Steve did a remarkable job with getting the pictures set up and putting them in order. They did great! Between, all of us I think we covered it. All though I must say there are always more to say and show. I did wear my dress that I had made there in Kigoma. All though I walked outside and asked myself why was I wearing this when it is cold and raining outside. LOL I was glad I wore it though. I did get a lot of compliments. Those are always nice. We didn't get a lot of questions like I thought we would but that is ok. We did what God wanted us to do and we keep spreading the word. Iam still waiting to hear how we can get supplies and that over to Joy in the Harvest. When I know I will make sure everyone knows. That way we can all help out. I know God has plans for all of us and we will trust in him that he knows when is the best time to get those supplies to them. God Bless all of you!