Donations and people

I managed to meet Esther and Nona at Operation Bootstrap Africa, where we picked up a thousand pencils for distribution in the schools we visit. Deanna Miller also gave us several blankets and a bunch of crayons as well. We will be at Maasai Girls Lutheran Secondary School (coincidentally) for their Form Four graduation, a monumental achievement for each of them. Deanna will be there too, not so coincidentally!

Esther had compiled the devotional booklet and Nona got it printed at Zion Lutheran in Anoka. Thanks to the people who wrote a devotion for us. We will enjoy thinking of you at home each day we are gone and your thoughts for us.

Besides the 40+ book bags, several baby blankets, Zion donated $500 for Dr. Jacobson at Selian Lutheran Medical Center for scholarships or other discretionary projects., all thanks to Esther and Nona.

At St. James, we sold some great T-Shirts and wrist bands, but even better, through the generosity of our membership we have nearly a $1000 to donate too, probably for use in our sister congregation, Idunda. The Idunda congregation is planning to rehab and reopen the dispensary there, closed for several years, lacking the staffing and funds to rehabilitate the building. Now we believe there may be staffing available soon. Dr. Saga is helping with this effort, so it is official.

On the left is the logo we have used for two St. James trips (designed by our friend Leanne Benson). It is on the T-shirts we will wear and give away.

There are countless others who have wished us well or have helped in some measurable way. Amber Larson and PNC Eagan, thanks for arranging the trip to the warehouse for donations from the clinic for Global Health Missions. Deena, thanks for updating my first aid kit! I got everything in. Now I hope it won't be confiscated or stolen from the luggage.

I think our group is well formed and solid. We will be able to support each other as we travel. It has been great fun meeting beforehand, talking smart and laughing a lot, all culminating in this adventure so close at hand.