After reflection and chats with friends, I realize the plans weren’t as clear as I’d assumed, please forgive me! Almost 45 years old, but always learning how to communicate better!

In Uganda: I will be making friendship/salvation bracelets with children, discipleship and visiting individuals and families in (and around?) the refugee camp/compound, helping with the Thanksgiving meal prep, teaching business and ministry owners how to use Excel or a similar spreadsheet program so they can keep better records for government reporting and general accountability, encouraging and exhorting the ministers “on the ground,” and photojournalism. In general, using my God-given skills to help others and share the Gospel. I enjoy crafting and bracelets are easy to transport and duplicate, I like to cook (culinary school) and learning meal prep in a different culture is fun, I almost live in Excel for my M-F job and forget it’s not easy or intuitive for others, a face from home can refresh foreign missionaries, and the photojournalism is the cherry on top! I’ll take the media I collect and put together a short video that highlights what they are doing there, which the missionary can then take or send to her supporters or potential supporters. When she’s doing it’s hard to capture what she’s doing, so that’s where I want to step in. Sometimes when a person SEES what’s happening, it’s easier for them to connect with the project or ministry.

In Malawi: I’m a part of the newly formed Missions Committee for When the Saints. We want to have materials for pre-trip preparation meeting for teams who want to go help. One of the things that would be useful is a set of video clips showing what to expect. Seeing it and hearing about it are two different things. The benefit of me doing these is it will be from the POV of an outsider. In addition, visiting the team I met a few years ago will give us all a chance to encourage each other. I’ve experienced the joy of being a repeat visitor. I think its important, when possible, to show people they are remembered and cherished.

That’s a lot! I hope this helps clear things up! PLEASE do not hesitate to ask questions!

AND, PLEASE, consider and pray about partnering financially with me!

PS you may be aware that I recently went on a small vacation, during which I had the opportunity to (finally) skydive! In the spirit of transparency and accountability, that was something I’ve been planning and hoping for a long time. Things fell together in a way I can only praise God for, including an unexpected financial blessing that covered most of the cost. This event and the Africa mission are different in my mind, and I believe God provides, on mission or otherwise. Again, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask questions!

Love you and thank you for taking the time to read this!

~Tammy