Hello everyone,

We are still doing good and we are learning so much. Most of all we are seeing God work everyday at every minute. I feel that in the states, you don't pay attention to what God is doing or what you are doing for him. Out here it obvious. It is amazing! A couple of days ago we went to an orphanage. It was a sad sight to see, but a humble site as well. Some of the beds did not have mattresses and then the nets around the beds had holes in them and the conditions there were just nasty. I don't know how else to say it. But what was humbling to me was when we went to where they have school. The children were full of smiles and they were learning math and their ABC's and they sang us a song welcoming us to their place. It was just sweet to see them smile and they seemed to be happy. We have pictures and you will just drop your jaw. I did and thought,are you kidding me. Then Yesterday we had what is called Friday people. This is where the poor come to tell Lowell, the grand pumba, what they need. Like food, shelter, debts, clothes, and medical assistance. There were 15 yesterday that came. Mostley women and they were divorced or widows. The life expectantcy is only 45 here in Kigoma. It might be in all of Africa but I am not sure. Lowell gave money, food, medical assistance, and paid their debts to most of them. One of them was a girl that had TB she wanted to go to the border of Tanzania and Mozanbique to be with her family. She came up here with her husband, but 2 months ago her husband was in a boat accident and didn't make it. She has 3 or 5 kids and Lowell paid her way to go back to her family. The other story that hit me was a lady that had Diabetes and High blood pressure. Her request was medical assistance, food, clothes and most of the request was for her daughter. She wanted her daughter to have school supplies, clothes, and shoes. She was granted those requests and even money. All I can say is WOW! This has really opened our eyes. Please pray for all of these people and the churches, water, and electric. We have been without electric for a long time now. It is about noon now or close to it and the power has been out since Wednesday, but it goes in spurts. All though since Wednesday we have had no electric. We are using generators but those are limited to what can be used on it. We need your prayers and we look forward to seeing you all soon.

Love,

Julie, Kevin and the Mission Buddies

Hi!
We're some of Kevin & Julie's Mission Buddies - a name Julie dubbed us - and wanted to say HELLO to all of you and to Steve's and my family and friends who are checking this blog, too. We have seen and experienced so many things since arriving here last Sunday. One day we took kerosene and laundry supplies to an orphanage that Joy in the Harvest supports. The deeply rutted road led us up the hillside to an open area between weathered, broken buildings that housed classrooms, boys dormitory rooms, charcoal making fires, and outhouses. Lack was the key descriptive word for everything we saw, although the children were polite and sang songs for us before we left.
God bless you all for your prayers and support,
Steve & JoAnn

The feeding

Hello everyone,

We are still doing great and learning so much. This picture is one of the three feedings they do during the week. This was taken on Monday the 9th. What an experience. They do this on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Some of these people only eat on these days and at this time which is at 3 in the afternoon. Most of the children are without parents and they all live on the streets. It is just so sad to see. We have been having issues with the electic and the water. Today we have been without electric since 8:00 of last night. It came back on around 2 then went out again at 2:30 and then back on again at 2:45 and off at 2:47. We have been out ever since. It is now like 7:53 p.m. Please pray that we get electric soon and that we get water too. They are digging a well to get water and that has been going on for quite sometime now. We will be home soon. Love you all very much.

Love,

Julie and Kevin and the Mission Buddies

"Jumbo" (hello) everyone,

I finally am able to write on our blog. Yea! So I will make this quick. We have arrived in Kigoma Tanzania. We arrived on Sunday and what a flight it was. To see Africa and see that you really are not home. It has been a hard time to see what we are seeing and to know that this goes on everyday. We sure do take so much for granted in the States. We have gone to the market and wow what an experience. We fed to the homeless on Monday afternoon. That was also an experience. It is very overwhelming but you just try so hard to take it in and just suck up the stuff that upsets you. Kevin has been taking a lot of pictures and has been working on a Studio for a radio station they are working on. I have helped the ladies get clothes for the poor and doing some sewing. It has just been a learning experience for all of us. The people we have been working with have been so nice and very sweet. Let alone they are very helpful. They just enjoy life. It is amazing. I would love to write more, but we are about to have a meeting. I hope to get on here again soon. We love you all very much and we have so much to tell you and show you with pictures. Talk to you soon.

Love,

Julie and Kevin and the rest of the Mission Buddies. :)

It is now just 2 days away and we leave for Africa. Let me see how can I describe the emotions we are feeling? Hmmm... you name they are all there. That is the best way. See I new I could do it. LOL Kevin and I still have a lot to pack yet and then the sad part. Our kids will be going to their sitters. This is really tearing us up. We are still undecided if Mickey (the Yorkie 13yrs of age) will be going tonight or tomorrow night. Right now my feeling is it might be tonight. That way I can still see my Dad before we leave. But not sure. Lacie (miniture Schnauzer a little over a year old) and Buddy (the mix of a Westie and something else, also the one that came and found us, we think he is over an year as well) will be leaving tomorrow for sure. So emotions are on high no matter what is going on. All though I know that I will be fine. So tonight I leave work and pack and get everything around for the dogs. Kevin will make sure we are packing and getting done what needs to be done. Well I would love to write more, but it is the end of the day here at work and I am about to head home. Write back soon. It just might be when we are in Africa. Talk to you soon.

God Bless you all,

Julie and Kevin