Today we were suprised after getting ready to go that we would not be visiting STAO as we had originally thought. Instead, we visited a village where STAO supports a secondary school and where many widows and orphans live. We later learned that they had been expecting our visit for months, and so they had an amazing program worked our for our arrival. We got there and all the widows were cheering and wanted to meet us. We then watched some amazing native dances performed by both the girls at the school and by the widows. It was beautiful because they are all so full of life and joy when they dance, and the dancing itself is unbelivable; no one should be able to move like that. After the perfomances they showed us the school and sugar cane fields and then took us to meet the widows. The widows all know how to weave and paint, and had so many beautiful mats that they sell for income. Many of us bought mats. The hardest part was that the widows would give us fruit as a present and want our phone numbers in return, which we were told not to give for obvious reasons. But they were all so friendly and welcoming that we felt loved regardless. Then we went to visit bujagali Itanda falls and eat with the headmistress. The falls were more beautiful than anything I could have imagined. They are enormous and terrifying and stunning all at once. God is inexplicable in his craftmanship. We finished the day by visiting the kids at STAO just to say hi. Good day! we love you all and we miss you! thanks for posting and keeping us in your prayers!
Comments
Jessica–to know that this village was preparing for months for your arrival just is a reminder of all the hope you are giving them. Because of your visit they know they are loved and not a forgotten people. Thank you for your post and describing the beauty of the falls and the dancing! Blessings to you all. Glad you are well
How touching that must be to find out that people who you’ve never met have been looking forward to meeting you for months - and how confirming of the plan and purpose that God has for all of you being there. The women sound like beautiful people. Thanks, Jessica!
Wow, Jess!! Such powerful love there! From the people and from God! I can’t imagine how amazing and joyful (and awful/tired/heartbroken) you are feeling right now. I love you so much! Give every woman and child you meet a hug for me. I so much wish that I could. It gladdens my heart unimaginably to see how God is working there. Thanks my love, and take care!
hi Kissy,
I miss you so much. It is really cool that you guys are able to do updates so often. i feel like I am there with you. I wish I was. I am so encouraged to hear how God is revealing new and amazing parts of himself to all of you. I can definitely tells that he has gone before you. I can tell by your descriptions that God’s love and patience is beaming out of all of you. I can’t wait to hear more. Love you and miss you! your sissy!
Jessica! I am so excited that this website is here for me to “follow” your around on your journey in Africa. I am so glad you are there and it sounds like it is an amazing experience! I miss you and love you!
Hi, jessica,
Your trip sounds wonderful. It’s amazing that the widows had been waiting months! for your visit! Your trip sounds so different from what I imagined. So much of the news about all of Africa makes it sound like the whole continent is full of warfare, AIDS, drought and maleria mosquitos! The falls and dancing sound beautiful. Were you able to take photos?
Again, we are keeping you and your tearm in our prayers.
Love, Christine and Scott
Hey Jessica!
I read your letter today to the boys. Alex thought it was weird that boys their age were wearing their clothes. Eric wondered if they were the same height or if the clothes were too long or short. I think it’s wonderful they can feel like they have a connection to what you are doing. We pray for you every night at dinner, and throughout the day when I think of you.
It sounds like everything is pretty rough over there. I hope you are safe and are able to maintain your own hygiene, enough so none of you get ill.
I am going to Seattle on Tues the 4th for a meeting about the graduate program. SCARY! I wish you were there for me to see you. I have just been working alot trying to get hours before the college starts. We have an open house in our new building on the 6th and 9th. I have my own space with a desk and partitions. I am excited to make it my own.
Dad has been home this last week (sort of, but with meetings). It has been really nice for us to spend time together, but he went back to work yesterday. It is labor day weekend and we are planning sleepovers and activities. I hope you are able to have fun in your down time.
Eric and Alex started school on Wed. They both seem to like school ok, and are meeting new friends. Remember Pam that used to babysit the boys when they were little? Her son Dillon is in Alex’s class. Eric is getting his bearings as a 7th grader, he just goes with the flow…
I hope you are able to take photos, it really sounds spectacular over there. The country is beautiful, but the poverty is overwhelming. I am so proud of you knowing that you are making such a difference in their lives. I’m sure they will be greatful and remember you forever. God blesses a giving heart. We love you Jessie and I pray for you daily. We can’t wait for you to come home. We love the long letters. I have forwarded them to my friends and family.
Hugs and Kisses,
Mishie, Dad, Eric and Alex
Dear Jessica,you might remember me from one of your visits here in Hawaii,at the Moseley’s house ,I am known as Omi.
It is amazing what you young people offer to those poor little kids.We admire you and hope you have the strenght to follow through with this assignment. your reports bring tears to my eyes and I tell people around me when they complaine about their troubles,”look below you” there is much more grief in this world.
Keep healthy and strong and I hope to hear more about this good will trip when you are back home.
With love to all of you,Omi
Hi Michele and Randy,
I sent Jessica’s letter around to many friends, Everyone that wrote back is so proud of her and her team and wishing or praying for them and the kids. I wrote to Jessica via her jem86@u.washington.edu email… see below.
A few friends have said they would like to help out too so hopefully they will follow through.
Hope you are well.
Big hugs,
Heidi
Dear Jessica,
Roger and I received a fwd of your two emails this morning.
We haven’t stopped thinking about it since. First off, we are quite proud of you for going out there to do whatever you can to help the less fortunate. It is also a generous gift of your time.
That said we are hoping that you are being very careful. Life has a different value over there. We are worried for your safety as certainly are your parents.
I have forwarded your emails to many friends with a small preface in hopes that others will have you in their thoughts and perhaps help out in the near future.
When you wrote to Roger a few months ago asking for donations to your religious group, well, you know that Roger and I are not all that religious and have our doubts about the funds ever getting to the actual needy. You seem to be witnessing some corruption first hand there right now. That is why I am asking you how to get donations directly to you and asking what it is that you think will best help. It seems that they are short on medical supplies and people who know how to use them. Are we correct in this assumption?
In the meantime, please know that our thoughts are with you.
Big Hugs,
Uncle Roger and Auntie Heidi
Jessica:
Hi, from civilization. It sounds like you are having a shocking experience, though that does not surprise me. Problems here in America are relatively trivial compared with what you are seeing. Please keep in mind that you are not going to change much as one person in such a short trip, and that you need to be very careful. I’m proud of the courage you have to do this.
Love,
Dad
Hey Jessie,
Looking forward to you coming home. It has really been weird with you gone for so long. I reach for the phone to call you and can’t. I miss you and can’t wait to hear all about your trip. I will pray for your safe travel.
Love you,
Mishie