I am getting so excited to return to Tanzania. I can't wait to see all my friends again. I always feel like I leave a part of my heart in Africa and when I return I feel whole. My flight leaves on Tuesday so alot of things to get done. Please pray for my safe journey. I am so excited about seeing STEMM's new orphanage.
I thought it would be fun to keep everyone updated via a blog. Hopefully I will have time to post on it. Love to hear from you all. Please keep my husband busy while I am gone....5 weeks is a long time.
God blessings to all of you.
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Wishing you a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteDell Rapids Stros
The Grandkids want me to tell you to take care of all the kids in Africa.
ReplyDeleteDell Rapids Stros
Thanks..I will miss you all very much.
ReplyDeleteLove you all.
ReplyDeleteGrandma Gayle,
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you for a safe and productive trip to Africa. We will be anxious to hear from you. And yes, we will take care of your grandkids while you are away. Love, Kari
Gayle:
ReplyDeleteHope you made it there safely! Windy once again in good ole SD! :(
Grandma Jackie is having Mothers Day Brunch this year and having the grandkids cook.....sorry you'll miss it! Think all 3 will be around this year! Can't believe school is almost out for the year. Gone crazy fast!
Take care and we'll post again soon!
Love the Watertown Ward's
I have arrived. It was a long flight but made it safely. When I landed in Tanzania and they opened the airplane door, I could recognize the smells of Tanzania. As I walked down the ramp and onto the ground my heart was pounding with excitement to be back in Africa although saying good to every one was very sad knowing I would be gone for so long. I even cried at the airport to say good-bye to my dogs. It rained quit hard this afternoon, which is not something I am used to. The weather was in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteI had many friends meet me at the airport and of course I went through the usualy I with customs. I think they recognize me know. They wanted bribe money so told me they thought I should pay taxes on the gifts that I am bringing for people. Well for those who know me that did now happen. Nai was watching me and she said that my face turned red but he then told to pass. I wouldn't feel like I was in Africa if I didn't have that hassle each time. Just part of the routine. I had a meeting right away this am with Rick, our Orphanage Director and Wilson, our Scholarship Director. Then hit the round running to get to meetings.
It is good to see all my friends here again. I can't wait to see the orphanage. They had told me that I wiil be pleasantly surprised when I see it. We have a day full of meetings tomorrow. We are meeting with Lazaro, who is in the parliament in the morning. He is such a busy man, so happy he has taken the time to have breakfast with us.
Good to hear from those of you who posted on my blog. I thought this would be fun to try. They people can choose if they want to follow or not.
Please pray for me as we are doing God's Work in Africa. Mungu akubariki sana (God Bless you very much)
gayle
Gayle:
ReplyDeleteSo glad you made it safely!!! Nice to know you are there and already doing well. Raining here today so wind isn't as bad which is nice.....track tomorrow and forcast has snow in it....yuck! Kyle was at the house for lunch w/ Lauren today. He is working in Wtn again this summer. I am sure that everyone there is so excited to have you back! :) Take care. We love you!!!
Grandma Gayle,
ReplyDeleteThis is our 2nd attempt...our note didn't post yesterday. Good to know you arrived safely. I'm sure your days are jam packed. Our weather has been windy, wet and cold. We are all ready for some sun and heat. Makes it tough to get the horses worked. Hannah has a lesson today. May do a playday or a barrel race in the next week. Next competition is Memorial Day weekend. She had her best friend sleep over last night....lots of giggling! Drew is good...pestering his sister and friend of course. His asthma has been flared up again...after we just got over a spell. Chad is busy, busy and my caseload has been up as well.Trying to get end of school year stuff done. Happy Mother's Day from all of us!
Love,
Chad, Kari and kiddos
HI Everyone...Well quit a day today. We visited the 3 small orphanages that STEMM supports to see all the children. I brought my usual supply of pepe (swahili for candy) for the children. This all look at me waiting to see if I have brought my candy and boy do their faces light up. Of course the grandma in me, uses the candy to bribe them to get a big hug and kiss and it works on the AFrican children as well as it does my own grandchildren. We did an assessment of the food supplies and building projects that they will need the team to do in July when they come. It always warms my heart to see the children again and again God lets me know how blessed I am that my grandchildren are being raised in the US and how fortunate they are. I then pray and than HIM for this. I miss you all and thanks for the greeting and best wishes for Mother's day. I miss all of you and love you very much.
ReplyDeleteSuppose to be down to 30 degrees tonight. Still is South Dakota Spring. Hannah may rodeo tomorrow and we'll see if Drew wants too. It is a playday so not extremely intense lke the little britches circuit so will be good practice. Cupcake is in training so we'll see if she has what is takes to be the next step for Hannah. God Bless,
ReplyDeleteDell Rapids Stros
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteDell Rapids Stros
WOW what a day I had today. We drove out to the STEMM Children's Village today (this is our orphanage). It is absolutely beautiful and I was touched beyond belief to see what has been a long time dream of STEMM's become a reality. The children's homes are really nice and Eric has done such a beautiful job with planting trees and bushes. All I could do was smile. We then visited the Health Centre and had discussions with the Chief Clincal Officer on how we could help thme medically if they could help with the health care of our kids and staff at the orphanage. We also visited the District referral hospital to meet with the adminstrators to discuss the same thing. Then went to visit the nuns at the school next to our village. They are so much fun to visit.
ReplyDeleteWe then went back to the village and we had invited the village leaders to come have a tour of our facilities and we popped Jiffy Time popcorn over and kerosene burner (Dr. Steve sent these with me). You should have seen them look as the tin foil got bigger and then we opened it to display popcorn. They were quit surprised. Then I went to look at the popcorn that Eric had planted in our nursery and it is already up.
We then had some cupcakes with candles and celebrated Richard's birthday. Richard is from the US and is a carpenter who is building all the beds, shelves and many other things at the orphanage. We made a design of things to build in the sick room and were we can keep our medical supplies.
It was a tiring but awesome day. I send my love to everyone and thanks for the communication. It helps to read these.
Hi, Gayle. Hope you get this as it's my first try on your blog. Things are going fine here. Didn't golf last week (weather wasn't so good and I babysat so Lori could go instead), and it's supposed to rain again tomorrow. As others have said, the weather hasn't been too nice here...lots of cold days. I've been walking every day without you (obviously) but really miss you. Sherry's been going with me some, too. Only news I really have: Erik Hanson and wife had a baby girl Sofia Isabella yesterday; Ted's twins are supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Names will be Opal and Iris!! Love ya......take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteHI Mary,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog. Good to hear from you. I miss our morning walks. Weather here sounds alot better than your weather. We have been having a few sprinkles in the am but then clears off. I usually have a light jacket in early am and evening but otherwise I have short sleeves and very comfortable.
We are flying off to another village tomorrow so will not have any internet access for 3 days. We had alot of business meetings today. I went and visited another health center to see about us bringing some medical services to them. They were really excited an open to having us come.
We keep really busy all day long and usually don't get home until after dark.
It is unbelievable here. I am trying to all the STEMM business done before the team arrives next week.
Take care. Miss you.
Mom & Grandma:
ReplyDeleteHello from the Dells Stros. Sun is finally shining. Graduations today. Hope everything is going well on your end. Take Care.
I just returned from a 3 day trip to Mwanza. I flew their with Wilson, our Scholarship Director and Rick, our orphanage director. We sponsor alot of students education in that area of Tanzania and they held a STEMM student reunion. It was very humbling to listen and hear the stories of many of these children that STEMM is sponsoring in school. Many came up to me afterwards and they are so grateful for what we are doing to help them. Their stories of their lives is unbelievable and they feel like we have saved them. Many of them wrote thank-yous that they want me to bring back to the STEMM Board. It is hard to believe how some of these children were living.
ReplyDeleteWe then meet with the Mwanza Educational Committee. I then went to visit the different women who were winners of the BCU SIFE Business grant. We went to their places of business to give them the money that they had won. I have to tell you the story of one of the ladies that won the money.
This lady had unofficially married and much older man. He worked hard at a fishing port. She has 6 children with 4 of them in primary school and has a set of twins that are 3 1/2 years old. Her husband dies suddently of a heart attack. Because they did not have official paper work to show that they were married, this entitled the relatives of her husband to claim his positions. Thus they came and took her home, her land and money. She was left with nothing and trying to raise 6 kids on her own. She is trying to make a living by cooking for workers. We went to her place of business which was a small hut that looked like a run down out house that had a couple of small tables and stools were the people would sit and eat the food that she cooked. She has to pay rent for this place and buy the food to cook each day. We asked her how much profit she made a day and it was only $2.00 to $3.00 a day. She had to use this to feed her family. It was the most unbelievalble story and this mother had the most hopeless and sad look on her face. It took all I could do not to cry but could only put my arm around her. After she was given the momey she was so grateful and said she wanted God to bless all the people responsible for giving her this money. She plans to buy a bigger tent and buy more food to expand her business. She said she just wants to care for her children and make sure that they get educated. WOW!!! We all have to be so thankful for what we have.
Dear Grandma Gayle,
ReplyDeleteSounds like your time is being well spent while you are away. Sad stories. We have enjoyed two beautiful days here...finally. Sounds like the next week will be in the 70's so we are excited. I went with Drew and Hannah's classes Friday to the SF zoo on a field trip. Then last night Chad and I went to Yankton for a wedding reception. Today we had 4 graduations and tomorrow we have 1. We went to Estelline for Katlin's today. She looked great. We were able to go to the ceremony and to the house for a short time. It was fun to see everyone. Your mom looked really good. Mike and Patty had a really nice party for Katlin. We were able to stop and visit the horses, too. First time we have seen Jake since he was a baby. Kids went for a ride tonight. It is such a beautiful night..was perfect for a ride. Not sure if or what we'll attend but there is a playday next Sunday and a barrel race next Thursday close by. Kids are done with school on Tuesday. We are all excited and ready to be done with homework for the year. Horray! Well, I better get the kids rounded up for baths and bed. We are all tuckered out. One more graduation tomorrow! Take care and thanks for the updates. Love, Chad, Kari, Hannah and Drew
Gayle:
ReplyDeleteSorry....been out of commission for awhile. You have sure had a busy trip and the things you are accomplishing have got to be so rewarding. Many days I wish I could make such a difference to so many in one day! :) Spent a week in Louisana last week and then home for Whitney to race a go-cart and Morgan had a track meet on Saturday. She did awesome and finally beat her biggest rival. Last night was first night of racing...so Racer and I had a quiet evening at home alone. Haha. Morgan is racing a cruiser car w/ Don Laqua. With track on Saturday in Pierre we didn't get to Katlin's party in Estelline. Missed seeing everyone...and many days I wish we were also done w/ school but we go until the 26th. Morgan registered at DSU last week. Lauren is busy at Sanford in SF now. Whitney is counting down the days till she gets to go to cheer camp in Wisconsin. Crazy busy and somedays I wish life would slow down....but then suppose I'd wonder what to do. Can't wait for you to be home and share your stories with us in person!
God Bless you for all you do and have done!
We love you....The Watertown Ward's
Hi, Gayle. What a story about the lady whose husband died, etc. So sad that so many there have so little to survive on. So glad you all are able to help so many.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has finally been fantastic. 76 degrees today and tomorrow. Will try to golf tomorrow, but other team may forfeit, so we'll see. I finished tests yesterday and got my grades in, so I'm free!! Did my flower gardens and some cleaning at the cabin, and of course, mowing....which never ends. Good to be home and get work done, though. The guys are getting the planting done. I'm hoping they can finish this week, but won't ask....yet. When it's done, it's done, I guess!!!
Praying for you to continue to have great successes in Africa. God be with you and your team. Mary
HI Everyone,
ReplyDeleteWell rushing to get all my STEMM business done because the team arrives this evening and me and the drivers will go to the airport to get them. I am excited to see them and have alot of great experiences planned for them.
Finally got through on the phone last night to Gregg. I was getting very home sick for him. Good to hear his voice and to be reassured that all of my family is well.
God never ceases to amaze me with all he brings to my plate when I am hear. I am blessed beyond belief or maybe he is just guiding me to show me how lucky I am to live where I live and have what I have.
Hope all is well in the states. The rest of the week is very full. We will be going to the schools to do HIV teaching and several other things.
Thanks for all your continued prayers.
gayle
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteWell the team arrived safely and one time. We had some major issues at customs, even though the Tz director and I had been in several officials offices the previous week to clear everything. My sister Nai was very helpful and was inside the customs area and she was not successful. They wanted bribe money. We end up leaving all our supplies at the airport in customs and then Nai and Wilson went to the airport in the am to recover the bags. They then spent over 2 hours hasseling over paperwork and ended up paying some money.
The team had Eric give them some swahili lessons and then had a panel of Tanzanians discuss their culture and life. Then Wilson told of their political system. Very educational for the team. We then practiced our HIV skit because tomorrow we will be going to a secondary school to teach HIV.
The team had jet lap but I think the first day went well. I think the team was shocked by the stories that they heard from my Tanzanian friends.
Love to all my family. Miss you all.
Mama gayle
Good Afternoon Gayle!
ReplyDeleteWow....and I thought going thru security at the airports in Watertown were bad! :)
Only few days left of school....girls are excited! Next weekend is state track....and then graduation. I'm havin a hard time w/ it this year for some reason! Seems hard to believe!!! have found some really fun pics of Morgan when she was little and we lived in Elk Point tho! They are so fun to look at. And when we hear your stories....they are also good reminders of our life and how good it has been! Please know we think of you often and chit chat about your postings! Keep on Doing your remarkable work. We love you! The Watertown Ward's!!!
I bet you were so glad to see the team come in. It will be very educational for them, I'm sure. Good luck with the teaching. I know you worked hard to prepare for it. We had a cool day today, but it's supposed to be 85 Sat. and Sunday. Then we'll complain about the heat!! :-) Went to Caleb's game tonight, their first. He had a home run his first up, so he's pretty excited. It was fun. Brings back memories of the boys playing....Little League was always my favorite. Not too much else going on. EPJ finishes up school tomorrow, so kids and teachers will all be ready for summer. Take care and good luck with the team. Do great things!! Mary
ReplyDeleteGrandma Gayle,
ReplyDeleteHello from Dell Rapids! We know you are not twiddling your thumbs while you are away. The kids are looking forward to the pictures and the stories that go with them when you return. Everyone is doing good here. School was out on Tuesday and we have had a beautiful day. Kids are out riding bike with neighborhood friends tonight. Both Hannah and Drew ran at a barrel race last night in Vermillion. It was fun. Hannah placed 3rd in the 16 and under division in the 1D and she ran between the 2 and 3 D in the open against all ages. Drew got 2nd in the Pee Wees. It was only the 3rd time he has ran barrels on Candy so he was a little nervous I think. Memorial Day weekend we will be in Fort Pierre for a 3 day Little Britches. Well, better get our kids rounded up for the night. Take care and stay safe.
Love, Chad, Kari, Hannah and Drew
Hannah and Drew had a rodeo this last Sunday: Hannah won Barrels and goats. Her horse blew the pattern on poles and her flag didn't stay in the bucket on flags. Drew ran barrels and did goat. His sister beat him but he is coming around. Hope everything is going well. Busy than a one eyed cat watching two mouse holes!
ReplyDeleteHello from the Dell Rapids Stros!
Cowboy up!
Hannah and Drew had a rodeo in Viborg, SD. Drew won the pee wee barrels. His first - first place on ole candance. Oreo was hot for Hannah so he blew the pattern in barrels. It was only barrels because it was a Blazin Barrels rodeo. Hope everything is going well there for you.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Dell Rapids Stros
Good Afternoon Gayle!
ReplyDeleteBetween you and the Dell Rapid Stros I feel more connected to all of you than we have in a long time! It is so cool that your horse love has rubbed off on the grandkids! My dad would have loved to have been so lucky! =) It seems hard to believe you are already close to coming home! I'm sure that makes you both happy and sad. We are all sure anxious to see you and hear about this years trip. In preparation for graduation I found all of the balloon boobie bathing beauty pictures from summers at Aunt Gayle's.....brought a lot of good laughs! Man they used to love those weeks!!
We leave for State Track in the AM. Looks like two hot and sunny days.....which should help the albino look I've got going on! haha. She should do really well this year! Then graduation is Sunday. Not sure that day will be much more than a teary day for me at this point. We'll take lots of pics from everything and share when you get home. Take care. We love you.
The Watertown Ward's
Hi, Gayle. Hope everything is going well. Sherry says hi, too. She hasn't been able to get on. We both think of you daily!
ReplyDeleteHappy Memorial Day weekend. We are off to the cabin to spend our first weekend there. Putting boat in today finally. Very hot here, almost 90 again, then cooling to 70s tomorrow. Will still be nice.
Tell us how things are going. I hope you took lots of pictures of the orphanage setup. Excited to see what's going on there. Know you must be so proud of it. What a blessing for those children! Please take care of yourself and your team. Love ya
Good Morning Gayle:
ReplyDeleteWell....we made it thru graduation yesterday! Ended up being a perfect day...not too hot, not too cold. Was nice!
Morgan had a great State Track Meet weekend. She got 6th in the 100 hurdles. She didn't qualify for the 300 hurdles....but had 9th fast time so just missed the top 8. Was a miserably hot 2 days!!! Sunburns are many! She did great tho and it was a perfect way to end her season! Enjoy your last few days in Africa.
Love, the Watertown Ward's! :)
Hi Gayle
ReplyDeleteI'm finally getting around to posting a message. I hope your trip has been well. I've had good intentions of corrupting your husband in your absence, bu it seems I haven't had time for that either. He has been busy building your castle and I'm still rtrying to grow grass at mine. I hope we get some time in July to relax around the fire pit. I'd like to hear some of your stories. Take care and stay safe.
Mauzer
Gayle......you get to come home tomorrow! :) Your family is sure ready....been hearing how they miss you! Morgan was so excited when you called her on Saturday. Thank you so much for remembering and making her day extra special!!! The party was a huge success. Weather was iffy in the morning but it ended up being a picture perfect day! Chad and Drew joined us which was awesome! Well....hope to chat with you when you get back to the USA....safe travels.
ReplyDeleteWe love you....The Watertown Ward's