Fourth Blog Post

 Wednesday the team traveled to Simakumba for the Mothers Milk program.

Thursday we spent most of the day visiting St. Columbas school where we visited a few classrooms, met with the students who receive benefits from the scholarship and lunch programs, etc.  After our visit there was a group mass with the whole school.

Friday we visited the Lukulu Training Center where Brother Max is the administrator.  We visited all of the programs which included the Seamstress class

the automotive class

and the carpentry and bricklaying class.  John had asked about a game he saw some men playing during our travels.  Br. Max explained that it has many names depending on the tribe but here they call it Solo.  Br. Max said he would make one.  Here some students are shown making some games.  On our last day we each received one of the games.

Throughout our stay we experienced several bonfires which included 2 pig roasts. 

 We introduced the pig roast to them last year.  Pictured is Sister Pat in the food line.

Friday was also Helen’s birthday 

After mass on Saturday morning we met with the Holy Childhood students.  They did some songs and skits

after which we gave each child a T-shirt, some tootsie rolls, and crayons and pages to color.

A few of the guys were playing drums and Nora impressed them with her musical talents.

In the afternoon some of us traveled to two outpost churches(a few of us to each) to celebrate mass.  Pictured are Father Reagan, the man who donated the land for the church, and the Chief.

We had some fun after the Mass interacting with the villagers.  The music led to Tom dancing with the women.  Note that he is also wearing a sha tanga, the wrap that all of the women wear.

Sunday part of the team traveled to Kaluwawa to celebrate mass.  This is a location where a church is being built with financial assistance from LFL.  Tom and John visited here in 2022.  We gave out crosses at that time.  Unfortunately we were short one cross…a little girl did not get one.  Tom made a point this time to track that little girl down who received some special gifts.

Monday is our day to pack and wrap up loose ends.  It was also an opportunity to break bread with the women who take good care of us…cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.

2024 Third Post

 Our first stop Monday morning was at the lepresarium.    Agatha and the man to the left have been there for years.  The younger man farthest away in the back is in the early stages of leprosy.  

The next stop was at a nursery which was just started in January by the church.  Each child received a small stuffed animal and had great fun playing with the beach ball.

Tuesday is Mother’s Milk day in Lukulu.  Because we received so many donated blankets, hats, shorts, dresses, stuffed animals, etc., we first laid out everything in groups for easier distribution.

After Sister Pat explains who we are and that we represent 100’s of generous donors, we are usually welcomed with a very enthusiastic song and sometimes dance.

Last year saw 2 twin babies who were under nourished and near death.  We brought them blankets and food supplies and were later informed that they had turned the corner.  Sister Pat referred to them as the miracle babies.  Here they are pictured with Tom who is doing his best to make them cry.

We brought some beach balls for the children to play with and they turned out to be the most popular giveaway.

In the afternoon we visited the nursing school that was started about 3 years ago.  Pictured is one of the students checking Helen’s pulse.

2024 Second Post

 Mornings here include breakfast which is prepared outside using a small charcoal stove.  Coco is shown starting the charcoal.

Pictured are 3 of the ladies who prepare meals, do laundry, housekeeping, etc.  They are Sheila, Coco and Mercy.

After breakfast we went to the worksite where we helped mix mortar and carried it in 

where the workers applied it to the rough walls.

We brought some soccer balls and beach balls for the children to play with.  Helen painted fingernails 

While Nora attempted to pass out jump ropes in an orderly fashion.

As is normally the case it quickly became a free for all.

Tom left to grill chicken with some spices and sauces that were donated which he brought back to the website for lunch.

Later in the afternoon we attended mass.  After dinner there was a bonfire with the youths.  The ladies surprised Tom with a birthday cake after the bonfire.  It was dark because the power had gone off a few hours earlier but miraculously came back on after Tom blew out his candles…what did you wish for Tom?

Sunday Mass was everything that we remembered it to be.  We provided funds to purchase drinks and rolls afterwards, similar to our coffee and donuts in the U.S.  We started this tradition last year and the church was packed.

In the afternoon each of the 5 missionaries were taken to small section meetings where we gave out crucifixes.  They then prayed the rosary and conducted their regular weekly meetings.  These too were packed beyond normal numbers because “the Michigans” were going to be there.

First 2024 post

 

This year we took a different route.  After checking 25 hockey bags full of items donated by our wonderful supporters, we flew from Grand Rapids to Atlanta.  Our first hiccup came after boarding for our almost 16 hr flight to Johannesburg South Africa.  We left the terminal but sat in the tarmac for hours while a storm passed overhead making our total time on the plane almost 20 hours.  

After our 16 hour layover in Johannesburg, we boarded our 3rd and final flight to Livingstone.  This is where the second hiccup  occurred.  The paperwork that would normally give us approval to bring in our bags without duty taxes was unfortunately delayed.  The airport agreed to hold our bags until the paperwork was received but we had to open and document the contents of each bag which took a very long time.  Fathers Reagan and Bright were waiting for us once we cleared customs with our carryon items.  We were very happy to finally arrive at our overnight accommodations.  

Livingstone is the location of Victoria Falls and we were lucky enough to be able to visit this national park on Wednesday morning.  Along the road to the falls we encountered some wild elephants.

Because the falls are in a national park, the wildlife is protected.  We saw several baboons up front and personal.

The falls were spectacular!  We thought they were wonderful but we were told that due to a severe drought  the water flow was greatly reduced.

In the afternoon we visited the village where the local chief lives.  We were able to see him but we did see what would be considered his throne where he normally meets with various dignitaries.

In the evening we took a sunset boat ride on a large boat where we saw several hippos including the huge one taking a nap on the shore.

Thursday was our road travel day from Livingstone to Lukulu which, with a few stops, took us over 14 hours.  While passing through Mongu we met with Michael who has been a wonderful friend to our missionaries over the years.  Michael is currently a deacon and will be ordained a priest next 

Friday started with a meeting to go over our itinerary with members of the nursing school, trade school, regular school, church council, etc.  Later we took a drive through Lukulu stopping at the public school where we visited a classroom.  In the afternoon we went to the worksite where a house that we are funding is being built.  Pictured are the new house a well as the old houses of the new house recipient.

After evening mass and dinner we spent a few hours completely unpacking all of the bags and sorting everything into different groups for easier distribution during our time here.

7/24-26/23

 On Sunday the team traveled 3 hours each way to another small village in the Mete district.  Hippos were Seen on the way.  The church there was in disrepair and a pole structure had been erected inside the old walls. 

We spent Monday morning visiting some of the poor families where gave out dresses, shorts, toys, etc.

 

One of those visited was this woman with 4 children.  The 3 children behind her are orphans that she is also raising.

In the afternoon we traveled to Simakumba which is a remote Mother’s Milk distribution site.  We passed out milk, dresses, shorts, hats, and toys.

Those smiling faces keep us coming back.

Tuesday we started saying our goodbyes.  Here we are with the ladies who cooked, cleaned and did our laundry.

In the evening we had dinner with various leadership members at the nuns house.  We had a very nice time which included teaching them the chicken dance.

Wednesday was departure day.

Along the way we came upon an accident.  We couldn’t help but they were very grateful for the water and energy bars that we gave them.

We also made a coffee and potty stop at a lodge in the game reserve where we saw some elephants across the river.

Thursday we begin the long trip home…