To Let You Know

As most of you know, I have been stateside since January 19 of this year. The last 4 months have been a time of trial and testing and faith. Last year when God revealed to me the timing on returning home, I did not understand why. I truly believed I was in it for the long haul. After 5 1/2 years, I wasn't sure I could come home and start over.
God is perfect in his timing and He knows what is in the future even if I do not. Yet, He made it clear to me why I was returning home, only days before leaving Uganda. My family would become my mission field. In whatever way needed.
I am thankful that God allowed me almost two months with my mom before taking her home. I truly was prepared for her departure from this life while I was still in Uganda. Though watching her life ebb away was painful, it was also a beautiful time with her. I will never forget those last moments.
My Grandson, Nathan, who will be 3 in August, has been battling Cancer. Though hard to understand why a small child should have to go through that kind of war, he is truly doing well. It was a blessing that I was here and available for the Radiation treatments. I split the time up with my son and Nathan's mom. The radiation alone was 6 weeks. Being with him for 11 days of it, one on one, helped tremendously to bond with him. We spent that time in Denver at the Ronald McDonald House and right here and now I have to say, this organization is fantastic. It is a wonderful and tremendous place. I truly felt like we were in a 5 star Hotel. This ministry alone is such a great help to families dealing with childhood crisis and illnesses.
Nathan is still receiving Chemotherapy and will likely continue through the year. He is responding very well and already his tumor is less than half the size it was when treatment began. His mommy and daddy have been such strong and loving parents and really help to keep him grounded during this time.
Now, the time has come for me to say "THANK YOU". Thank You My dear faithful supporters in prayer, finance and encouragement. You have given me a great blessing. By answering faithfully to my need and ultimately the needs of Amani Baby Cottage and area missionaries, you provided 5 1/2 years of giving and service.
I cannot put into words the gratitude to God for giving me the opportunity to serve him on the foreign field nor how I feel about those of you who participated in it.
As my presence in Uganda has come to an end and my specific part in it, I feel the time has come to return to the workforce.
Thank you dear ones for giving me the opportunity to represent you and the faithful in Uganda.
It has always been foremost in my mind, that God is leading and we choose to follow. For now it seems, I am to work and advance my degree. Full time missions for now is at a close till God tells me otherwise.
I am currently looking for employment. This has been a harder task than I anticipated. Perhaps my experience abroad is not what they are looking for, I don't know. I would like to stay working in the valley, but find I may need to "travel" stateside for work. My schooling is entirely online and course work is split between online work and textbooks. As a RN, it is to my advantage to advance my degree from ADN to BSN an hopefully ultimately MSN.

I would like to ask you to pray for me and specifically:

1. That I would continue to follow God's leading for my life and hear His call.
2. That I would find credible employment specific to my skills, training and experience.
3. That I would find good, reliable transportation to find and keep employment.
4. That God would provide for all my financial needs
5. That I would be able to complete my schooling on time, work and be there for family.
6. That I would figure out where to live and establish home.

As this chapter of Reaching Hands Missions comes to a close, it is by no means over. I know that God still desires that I have a part in Missions. I am working on plans for a short term mission trip to Uganda next year sometime. Right now it is only in the preliminary planning stage. I think that the trip will probably involve a two week trip. A week at Amani Baby Cottage serving them and a week at Hope Center Uganda working with the Goering's new ministry. I am still not sure of anything else, and will start looking at cost, itinerary's, and availabilities. I will soon post in regard to interest in this trip. It is extremely important to me to continue supporting these ministries that have been a part of my life for so long. They continue to need so much.
If you are able, I would ask that you take what you would have given to Reaching Hands Missions to Uganda and browse the list of ministries I provided that need your support.
Thank you again dear ones and May God bless you.

1. Amani Baby Cottage (www.amanibabycottage.org)
2. Hope Center Uganda (www.hopecenteruganda.org)
3. The Gennaro Family (www.cmgennaro.aimsites.org)



THANK YOU SUPPORTERS OF REACHING HANDS MISSION TO UGANDA

Update

Hi dear friends and supporters;
Just wanted to let you know that I am working on an update and let you know my plans. I am working on it and will post as soon as I can.
May God bless and keep you all
Siouxanne

In Memory of my Sweet Momma

My mother's memorial is this Friday here in Craig, Colo, 12pm at Calvary Baptist Church. Here is a tribute to her and her life.

Georgia Joan Hall was born into the Mormon Faith to George T and Sybil D. Cunningham Hall on Dec. 4, 1932 in Salt Lake City, UT. She was born at Holy Cross Hospital. Georgia has one sister Junne Hall Charon (Mel) Saunders of Midvale, UT who survives.

Georgia dropped out of school after 10th grade and eloped to Elko, NV with Jay B Dunn on Dec. 5, 1950. 5 children were born to this union: Margaret (Roque) Thomas of Reno, NV, Samual Dunn and George M. Dunn both of Salt Lake City, UT, James Dunn (Deceased) and Siouxanne Mease of Uganda and Grand Junction, CO. This marriage ended and she married a second time to George A. Herod of Craig, Colorado on September 26, 1960 in Dinosaur (formerly Artesia), CO. She was married to George for 44 years. He preceded her in death on July 3, 2005. To this union 2 children were born: Wendy Herod (Doug) Schneider (Deceased) and George A (Stephanie) Herod of Craig, CO.

Georgia had 20 Grandchildren: Chris (Tseka) Thomas of Sacramento,CA, Allyson (Abe) Delnore of Pittsburg, PA, Dominick (Tishinia) Gomes of Logan, UT, Katie (Joe) Hyatt of Coppares, TX, Justin (Krista) Boganshultz, Terri (Darren) Divinity, Tricia (Daryl) Stewart all of Magna, UT, Maria (Loice) Jeffrey, Billie (Jeremy) Dade, Becky (KT) Morrow and Phillip Hester all of Fruita, CO, Liz (Eli) Stemrich and Crystal (Jesse) Hoisington both of Grand Junction, CO, Amanda (Ty) Ott, Gloria (Phillip) Moore, Jarrod (Amber) Schneider, Spencer, Isabelle and Jory Herod all of Craig, CO.

Georgia also had 44 Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family and distant relatives. Two of her children preceded her in death and though she had a strong faith in God, this affected her deeply and forever changed her health and state of mind.



Georgia found the Lord early in her marriage to George and spent the rest of her adult life trying to lead everyone she knew to the Lord. Her favorite things in life were singing to the Lord, Teaching Sunday School, Working with the Gideon's, Going to the nursing home and help lead church services once a month, hospital visitation. She was also a great prayer warrior and struggled all her adult life trying to make up for the failures and shortcomings of her youth. She served God with her utmost.

Georgia had many career paths beside motherhood. She was a school bus driver for Moffat County for 25 years, legal secretary, security guard, flagger, Avon lady. Georgia loved to hunt, fish, camp, hike, rock hunt, sew, knit, crochet, cook, canning, furniture restoration, and read (especially her Bible). She was a farm/ranch wife and mother and loved living in the country and all that came with it. She learned animal husbandry and did not hesitate to give our horses or livestock injections or oral medicines.

In later years she loved sitting and watching all the old shows on TV and would not hesitate to put off any appointment or miss an event to watch shows like: Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Little House on The Prairie, Touched By An Angel, Doc, or Animal Planet. She also loved all the old classics and Broadway musicals. Georgia could be heard singing show tunes from way back. Georgia was also a hoarder and did not like to throw things away.

In 1972 Georgia went back to High School and completed the last 2 years she missed before. She obtained her diploma in 1972 and stood with her teenage classmates in Cap & Gown and received a standing ovation for her entire class as she walked across to receive it. She would drive her bus route in the morning and take the bus back to the garage, then run over to the school for class. At the end of the day, she left early enough to run back to the garage to pick up the bus to pick up the kids and complete her bus run again. She would then go home, cook supper and then study and do homework for the next day. She pretty much maintained a 3.5-4.0 avg. Her drive and ambition did not stop there. Over the years, Georgia plugged away at College courses and in 2002 she received her Associates Degree in General Studies from Colorado Northwest Community College at age 70. She also walked with her class in cap and gown to receive her degree.

Georgia was a lifetime resident of Craig and a Charter member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was known and loved by many members of the community and never had a cross word for anyone. She always smiled and spoke kindly, even when treated badly.

During her last years, her health failed her and she had numerous medical issues. Pain, Crippling health issues and numerous falls caused her health to steadily decline. On March 14, 2011 at 3:10 AM with her daughter Siouxanne and daughter in law Stephanie curled up with her, Georgia opened her eyes and spoke to heavenly beings, drew a deep contented and peaceful sigh and drew her last earthly breath.

We rejoice in knowing that she has been promote to the kingdom. Her personal faith in the Lord was a cornerstone example to all and were so very thankful that we will be with her in the kingdom when its our turn to enter. Please celebrate with me my mother's life, earthly death and eternal life with Jesus Christ. She will be missed and there will always be a huge hole at her passing but we are so relieved that her earthly pain is over.

Her favorite saying was "This is the day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it".



Hold on My child, Joy comes in the Morning.....Georgia a child of the King is with her Lord!!
Written by Daughter Siouxanne R Mease

On the Homefront and beyond...

As some of you may know, Uganda just had their presidential election again this past Friday. I am thankful that the violence and rioting has been at a minimum and no one that I know was hurt or injured. I miss Uganda so much and miss my dear friends, co-workers and most especially the children.
I know more and more every day that God moved me back home to be with my family. It has been a crazy 4 weeks since I arrived. Though. on arrival I was still limping around from the spider bite I suffered before leaving, and when my plane landed, I hit the ground running. First to Children's Hospital there in Denver to visit with my Grandson Nathan newly diagnosed with Embryonic Rhabdomyosarcoma. In essence that means he was born with this particular childhood cancer.
He is doing pretty good with the treatments so far. He has had 5 rounds of Chemotherapy and 5 rounds of Radiation and two blood transfusions.
My mother is hanging in there despite the fact that I was sure she would not be here by the time I arrived from Uganda. She is in the Nursing home up in Craig, and though still frail and weak holding her own.
I caught a bad cold from my Grandkids after getting here, coming down with Sinusitis and Bronchitis. My Grandson Ryland started running fevers and his cough got worse and just as we thought he probably had the flu, he suffered a Febrile Seizure. He has had mild seizures in the past with fevers but this one was a full blown Grand Mal. Alone with him, I at least know what to do.
My daughter came in the door as he was starting to come out of it though he did not fully come out of it til about 15 minutes later when she was walking into the ER with him. That is when the Grandma part of me kicked in.
Testing positive for "Influenza A", the doctors all felt we all needed to be put on Tamiflu to either prevent getting it or combat it if we did. Well, 5 out of the 7 of us, have come down with it, myself included. While Ryland is home with us now from the hospital, he is still the sicker one of us.
I honestly did not expect to have so much to deal with upon arriving home, but so thankful to God that I am here with my family. They are certainly my mission field at present.
Many have asked if I am going to go back to work, and right now, I feel led to hold off on that and just be available to my family. Not to mention that I need to get myself well again.
I will be going to Denver with my son next week to trade places with Nathan's mommy and other Grandma. We will be with him for his last 3 weeks of Radiation treatment. The Chemo will continue for several more months.
I go frequently up to see my mother and though there is a lack of Transportation, I seem to manage to make it there and back, thanks to family members helping out picking and dropping.
In mid March I will head to Florida for a missionary debriefing and hopefully some down time to rest and relax a bit.
My heart and calling is missions and I know that God called me to that duty. Though right now, my mission field is my family, I continue to support Amani Baby Cottage as much as I can. That ministry will continue to always be very important to me.
I am so thankful to my family for providing a home and shelter and taking care of my basic needs. They are such a blessing and I am so glad to be here with them.
If anyone feels led to still support Reaching Hands Missions, during this interim time, as a home missionary, I can tell you that I will still be faithful and prove to be a good steward of my time and talents. This time will also give me an opportunity to minister to needs within my own church if necessary.
I do not know how long this time will last, if God will keep me here for awhile or call me to another field. I fairly certain it will be this entire year and maybe a portion of next year, but past that, He has not revealed to me yet.
May God bless you dear ones. Thank you for your faithful and loving support over the years and for trusting me to work on the Great Commission. I am thankful beyond belief for the prayers, the funds, the emails and the occassional care packages I received while in the field. You all mean so much to me. Thank you for continuing to hold my family up in your prayers. We certainly need it right now and I pray that God watches over you in the process. Till next time......I LOVE YOU ALL

A Walk Through Troubled Waters

I have arrived safe and sound into the USA but not joyfully. Dear ones, I thank my Lord for the prayers and financial support you all showed to me for this ministry. It has been the foundation of the work in Uganda.
I want to ask for you prayers now for me and my family. Most especially my sweet little Grandson Nathan. He was 2 last August and is now facing one of the toughest uphill climbs he will ever have to face. He has been diagnosed with Rhabdomysarcoma. This is a childhood cancer that not only grows very quickly but if treatment starts quickly a good prognosis and outcome. The tumor is resting on his bladder and is already 10cm in size.

My mother is frail and dealing with end of life issues and intractable pain. She is now in a skilled nursing facility where they can manage her pain more effectively and provide the intense care she needs. She is having a hard time and does not like the changes that have had to come about.

I understand now why God said to me "GO HOME". I had wondered why he impressed so strongly on me to pack up and leave Uganda and now it is clear to me why. My family needs me and I need them. I don't know what we will be facing over the next weeks and months but I know that God will not allow us to walk these troubled waters alone.

He is sovereign and will watch over His own. I am sure he has it all in control. I just have to remember to leave it alone and in His hands and trust that He knows what He is doing.

Thank you for your continued prayers!!!!

Urgent call from home

I've always been somewhat reluctant to answer late night calls or those in the middle of the night or ones that seem doomed from the start.
This evening my daughter called telling me my brother wanted to talk to me and I needed to stop what I was doing and call him, they said it couldn't wait. He could not reach me.
Not wanting to come right out and say so over her uncle she relented and didn't say much.
I called my brother to find out that my dear precious mother (who has been very sick, frail and declining rapidly) was rushed back to the hospital today only one day after being brought home from there.
She is in intractable pain and they cannot get it managed for her without affecting her respiratory drive which is already seriously compromised. She is in agony with pain and they have not been able to find the source or fix it. It has made her weakened to the point that she is tired of fighting the pain and the family thinks the only reason she is holding on to it is to see me arrive back home next week.
No more it seems can be done for her except comfort measures and those measures could make her stop breathing.
I have agonized and agonized over this and worry would I even have a chance to get home to see her one last time before she leaves at another additional cost needed to raise more to fly out 2 days early maximum.
If I don't or do move ahead and she stabilizes and does well enough to be moved to rehab/ nursing care or onward to glory. I will at least not have recriminations, or regrets that would be present if i do wait. I can never look back on this and say I should have moved forward, and it I don't make it, i will be with all my grieving family working together at healing that much sooner.
I have decided to move ahead with booking a earlier flight two days early for $458 and let God work out the detail of the cost. He is in control and weather or not she is still there when I get there or not doesn't matter to me, I made the right decisions.
It is with painful, tearful, and yet joyful peace is overflowing at me as I wind down and set aside some last minute times with friends and loved ones here and leave abruptly. Forgive me if i do not see you before leaving dear precious Jinja peoples. May you always feel blessed from every thing you do and have no regrets that God is in control watching over you. I know he will care for me as I travel sooner in a heightened state of anxiety praying all the way and for my dear mother to at last have the freedom from pain and sickness she is so ready for.
As hard as it was to do it, tonight i lovingly told her it was OK to let go of it and not wait for me. I hated saying those words but to keep them to myself is so selfish.
I leave behind a life of service and surrender and to allow the Holy Spirit's guiding. I can do no better going back. Thank you Spirit of the Living God.
Pray for my dear mother as she languishes there in the hospital and for me to have a peace that passes all understanding. during the pushed up travel date.
I pray that since it is nearly 3 am I am not rambling and not making sense. I just ask for your prayer to get me home...
In Christ;s name
Siouxanne

ONWARD

Joyful, Sad, Tearful, Smiles, overwhelmed, elated,...the adjective list could go on and on. Today, as I walked through the place I have called home for the last time, there was not a trace of anything that made it a home for me. All the rooms empty and clean, and yet, as the landlord and I went room by room to close out my life in this dwelling, the memories flood my thoughts and while I am relieved to be finished with the moving and the sorting (well mostly) I am sad that it has ended.

Aaron the landlord praises me for taking such good care of his house, but you know, I made it a home. It served as sanctuary for me over here. When I needed an escape or a place of quiet rest, I came here.

It is nothing fancy or expansive, and yet, I have loved calling this place home. Despite having a 8' fence and hedge full of thorns, with a large gate locked up from the outside world. For the most part, I knew I could come here and rest and feel safe.

The work, here will go on, with or without me. As excited as I am to move on to whatever God has for me and to spend some quality time with my loved ones, I am overwhelmed with bittersweet memories and feelings that say..."Oh I shall miss this place, this home, the work I do, the friends and flatmates I have known here.

Though, I still have two more weeks to spend with them, I drove out of the gated compound of my Uganda home for the very last time with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face....

Thank you Aaron Kabarizi for allowing me to call Plot 41 Kisinja road in Jinja, Uganda home. I have loved every minute I have spent in my small, comfortable and clean home.

I will always remember my Ugandan home!!!