How the years have flown since I left my beloved Ugandan home. My time at Amani Baby Cottage was so precious and special to me. I can hardly believe 5 years have passed since I said my good-byes and came back to the USA.
In that time, I said my earthly good-bye to my sweet mother, watched my grandson Nathan beat Cancer twice and remain Cancer free,  I went back to school and advanced my degree, I was promoted to Clinic Operations Manager for a local Colorado Community Health Center, bought a home and now have a mortgage and school loans.
I am not complaining but life was so much simpler (not to mention debt free) when I lived in Uganda. I truly wish at times I could return permanently, but though half my heart is still there, I know that is not where God wants me. I am where I was led to be, and I feel extremely blessed. I hope to be able to take a missions trip for two weeks next year back to the Baby Home. It will be very different, but I sure miss those mamas and Uncles, and those sweet little hands and feet.
Last year we had our first of many Bi-annual Amani Baby Cottage Reunion's in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was absolutely amazing and emotional for all of us. I am blessed to be able to host next year's reunion here in Colorado. It will be in Grand Junction, Colorado ( the gateway to the the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa). I am working on firming up plans now for a venue and a block of rooms which we hope to release soon, so families can start planning for it. It will be held July 27-29, 2018. I can hardly wait for next year to come and see all those precious children I and many others took care of and nurtured while they were at Amani. Just seeing how they are growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Chris and doing so wonderfully with their forever families brings me so much joy and I cannot even begin to explain it.
My grandchildren now number 22. Some of them are now adults and a couple more are close to being full adults. The oldest is 25 and the youngest is 4. Quite a spread.
In addition to working as a nurse/manager, an advocate for health care for all, I am also doing professional photography "Soxx Photography" which is one of my passions. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me in the coming months and years. I continue to be his vessel and serve wherever I am called.

Not The Plan....

It has taken me till today to finally post on my website. I had posted a few weeks back about trying to raise the funds for another mission trip to Amani Baby Cottage. Well, obviously, you now know, I was not able to go.
I had to have a deadline for fundraising, not only common sense sake, but also for my job. I needed to give them a deadline in order to find coverage for the two weeks I would have been gone.
I was not able to meet either. It would seem God has other plans for me this year. Going to Uganda, was not one of them.
I wanted to go so badly, and support the baby home I spent so many years serving. I truly believed it would happen.
As yesterday was the 10th Anniversary Celebration, I believe strongly God has a reason for everything, though I deeply wish I could have gone and spent this time at Amani.
I know that Amani had an awesome celebration yesterday and that many former Amani children were able to attend this celebration. I am so excited for what God has in store for Amani and the next 10 years.
Though, I received some funding, I did not receive enough in time, so now I need to take care of business.
Those of you who so selflessly blessed me with financial support and sent money need to let me know how you want me to return your donation.
Here is a few choices to think about and let me know what to do with your donation dollars.
1. I could return your check or money order to you
2. I could shred it and render it obsolete
3. I could hang on to it for a future trip (which I pray will be within the next year)
4. I could donate it back directly to Amani Baby Cottage or another Christian organization

Some of you have already contacted me to let me know, what you want me to do with your funds. Will those of you who sent or gave funds, take a moment to drop me a line and let me know what you would like me to do with your donation funds.

Lastly, I want to thank all of you who gave both financially and prayerfully. You bless me, even though God chose to keep me here and not in Uganda. Thank you for loving me and these sweet awesome kids I will one day again, Lord willing, get to minister too.
May He bless you and keep you!!
Thank you

Mission 2013 to Amani

Dear Friends and Family;

                Once again, the time has come for a mission trip to Uganda again. I have been blessed to be a part of Amani Baby Cottage (ABC) for as long as I have and I am inviting you to be a part of it.

As most you know, ABC has been a significant part of my life over the last 8 years.  To be called as a missionary to a foreign field is not for the faint of heart, nor is it something to be taken lightly.  In the last 2 ½ years, I have found my way back into the fast lane of America.  I have looked for ways to continue my relationship with my Uganda home while serving from the United States.

                On October 5, 2013, ABC will host a gathering and celebration to mark 10 years as a Christian based, Non-governmental Organization. Amani Baby Cottage (ABC) continues to steadfastly provide love, hope, shelter, food and a home to many of Uganda’s orphaned and neglected children ages newborn to age 5.

                It is my desire and that of my Amani family that I participate in this unique celebration and I need your help.  In order to take this short mission trip, I will need to raise the funds necessary to go.  I will help Amani in any way necessary and give of my time, however short it might be.

                I will be gone for two weeks and will need approximately $3500 total. This will include all the airfare, accommodations, food and cover expenses here back home. I have been given two weeks off to make the trip but will not have vacation time to cover it.

As before, donations to Reaching Hands Mission to Uganda, can be made as a tax deductible contribution if you so desire. I would greatly appreciate your help in getting me there.

Make checks payable to:

Canyon West Worship Center

P.O. Box 448

    Fruita, Colorado  81505 

Note on the memo line: Reaching Hands mission trip 2013

 

Donations are needed now!! Please send ASAP

 

 

PLAYTIME

I just wanted to share with you the amazing gift that Amani Baby Cottage just received. It is something we have been wanting for a long time and what a blessing it is!!! Praise you God for whom all blessings flow!!! Thank you dear friends; the men from Berean Baptist Church of Burnville, MN. and TILT-A-WORLD plus numerous companies donating supplies.

As you will see in the last photo, they placed a permanant memorial honoring those children and teachers that were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary!!

Please rejoice with Amani and enjoy the smiling and joyful faces on their new playground!!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

 

As the year 2012 draws to a close, I am praying that you and yours have had blessings that you cannot even count. May 2013 bring you Joy, peace, and the Love of God untold. I am so thankful for my family, each and every one. I am thankful that my Grandson beat Cancer not once but twice, and I pray he continues to beat it. I am thankful for my children, their spouses and grandchildren. I am thankful for my siblings, nieces, nephews and various other relatives.

I am thankful so very thankful for my small church body of believers, at Canyon West Worship Center, who bless me each week. I love you all, and thank you for sharing the responsibility of bringing the word in action and attitude. You all bring me joy.

I am thankful for those who supported Reaching Hands Mission to Uganda and helping me serve the kingdom and give of yourselves so selflessly.

 I pray for my loved ones at Amani Baby Cottage. This organization has brought me great joy and blessed me beyond all I could have ever imagined.

 I pray that God would bless and keep everyone there, and bring added blessings as the new year starts.

 I also pray for all my extended friends and loved ones in Uganda. I love you all and thank God for each one of you. May 2013 bring you many joys!!!

May God bless you one and all!!!!!

Uganda home sweet home!!

My time here back in Uganda is almost at a close. I have had a wonderful 3 weeks and have managed to see almost all of my friends and acquaintainces here in Jinja. I was greeted happily by the dear Bharj family with a welcoming sign and immediately put me to work, helping to configure the new clinic at the new site. Measuring and deciding where to put everything such as the exam table, sink, isolette, infant warmer, medication fridge, meds, books and journals, medical texts and my presence there filled me with great joy!!!

I have been extremely busy and have pretty much ran my tail off doing everything I possibly could and still keep up with my studies. Yes, unfortunately, I was not able to take a break from classes and even began a new class the very day I headed out on this trip. Fortunately, I have been able to keep up with it, with even the sketchy internet and have not fallen behind. Much as happened in the short time I have been here and more will continue after I leave. Here are just a few of the pics of the new site.

 

Intial moving day is this friday, my birthday, and I am excited to be able to at least be a small part of moving things over to the site. The children wont be moved until next week, but it is happening. I am thrilled with what little I have been a part of.
Thanksgiving is on Thursday and I will be priveledged to spend it with my dear Ugandan family.
Saturday morning will find Danyne and I heading to Kampala ( the dam is under construction) and it may take awhile. WE will meet up with Angie Goering of Hope Center Uganda, where I will spend the last of my few days in Uganda. More to come later this week...

Uganda Revisited

Yes, you read correctly. I am only 6 days away from my first return visit to Uganda. I can hardly stand the wait and was beginning to think it was not going to happen. I am elated that even though this is a short 2 week visit, I finally get to  return to my second home and be with my Ugandan loved ones even for a short time.
Thank you if you were a part of supporting me in this return mission. I cannot tell you what it means to me to return.
Many changes are in the process of taking place at Amani and I can hardly wait to share them with you.
I will also be visiting my dear friends new ministry Hope Center Uganda in Mityana. It has been over a year since they arrived there and started this unique ministry in that area. I am excited to see them again as well.
I know it has been since April since I posted, but truly, I never stop thinking about God's call on my life.
For now, He has impressed upon me to stay stateside and continue to be here for my family.
My grandson Nathan is doing fantastic, has beat two types of Cancer and still remains Cancer free.
That is a huge praise. All the glory goes to God. Without Him at our sides, this past year and a half would have been very difficult.
Many changes have taken place in my life since returning, and I still do not feel grounded or like I fit in anywhere, but I trust God and know, He still working on me, to make me what I ought to be...."
I have wondered just what His plan is, and for now, I feel He is saying, hang tight, trust me, and go with the flow, go to Uganda, take supplies to the baby home and get back.
So that is what I am doing. I will be flying out of DIA on October 29th (this coming Monday) and will return November 14th.
I will try to post pics while I am there but that is iffy and for sure will post when I return.
Once again, I want to thank those of you who helped make this trip possible. You have blessed me in ways, I can never repay. I am eternally grateful to you!!!

Relay for Life, Fruita, CO 2012

Dear Friends;

I wanted to take a moment and let you know what is going on this coming June 1 & 2, 2012. Please join or donate to the "Nathan and Wendy" Team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life as a participant. June 1-2 is the date. Mark your calendar, and get your tent ready. Whether you crawl, walk, run or do the back stroke, we want you.

Our Reason to Relay is simple. To celebrate and rejoice in my Grandson Nathan's victory over Cancer and to honor the memory of my sister Wendy, who lost her battle with Cancer in 1999.

We are making a difference by teaming up to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. At the event, our team will camp out overnight and take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness. We want to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Saving lives from cancer starts one team, one participant, and one dollar at a time.

Our team is doing our part to make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life. Please, Please join our team and/or make a donation.

The impact we can make together is much greater than what any of us could do alone!

Our Relay is June 1-2 at Fruita 8/9.

Please go to our team page and sign up on the roster. We will have a team meeting on Monday April 23rd at my home starting at 6pm and begin to map out the details of our teams relay. If you send me a personal email I will give you directions to my home.

Please participate with us!!!

Below is the link to our team page. Go there now and get signed up on the roster.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS OR ANYONE YOU THINK WOULD PARTICIPATE WITH US!!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=1163038&pg=team&fr_id=38151

Fund/Donation Information

Funds or Donations in any amount can be checks or money order in my name and sent directly to me at:

Siouxanne R. Mease

2479 H Road

Grand Junction, CO 81505

On the Memo Line: Reaching Hands Mission 2012

or

If you desire Tax credit, you can send a check or money order made out to:

Canyon West Worship Center

P.O. Box 448

Fruita, Colorado 81521

On the Memo Line: Siouxanne/Reaching Hands Mission 2012

Again God Bless you and thank you so much in advance for your donation.

Summer/Fall 2012 Mission Trip to Uganda

Hello dear People;
The time has come to begin raising funds for a 3-week mission trip to Uganda. I will be traveling July 23 and returning August 11. The plan is to spend time again at Amani Baby Cottage (amanibabycottage.org), where I served for nearly 6 years. There I will once again help care for the children and do whatever is needed to assist them in the new facility they purchased. I will also spend some time with my dear friends from Grand Junction who opened an Orphanage in Western Uganda (www.hopecenteruganda.org). The trip is going to cost approx $3800 that is all inclusive.
I greatly need your assistance once again to make this special mission trip possible. It would be greatly appreciated and a blessing to me. Please help with any amount. Thank you and God bless you
God bless
Siouxanne Mease

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!!!

Holidays Approaching

As the Christmas season approaches, I pray that you and your families are well, happy and living for Jesus!!. I am so excited for this holiday, both because I absolutely love Christmas and its so much fun to see the smiles and joy on the faces here, but also because I get one more Christmas in my Ugandan home. Having Christmas with these kids brings so much joy to them and to those of us priveledged enough to participate in it.
It is strange packing and sorting and seeing things go out the door to a new missionary home. My christmas thing are out and up. I did of course have to stand directly in front of the floor fan and squirt water on me while I was decorating the tree and the room so that it remotely felt like Christmas. It truly has been very very hot here lately. Thought today it is blessedly overcast and there is the promise of rain in the air.
I pray that God blesses each and every one of you as you celebrate this glorious holiday with your friends and family. May the joy of the season remind you, the reason for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE
Siouxanne

A Season of Change

I have always felt God's leading in my life here in Uganda. When he called me here over 5 years ago, I had no idea for how long, how it would impact my life, and the lives of others here. I hung out my fleece and asked God to reveal His perfect will for me and He most assuredly did. He spoke to me in a way, He never had before. I was in it for the long haul no matter how long.

These last 5 years, I have had NO idea when or if he would change that or call me back or on to the next mission. I have always been willing to be here for as long as He desired or for the rest of my days. God, it seems, has finally revealed that time frame to me.

With some fear and trepidation and yet a perfect peace that passes all understanding, I will be leaving Uganda January 2011. I am certain that God is saying "Go Home For Now". I have no certainties, however, about where He is leading me next or when or how, or even what I will do when I go back home. I have nothing but precious family and my church and friends and you wonderful people to go home to. I only know He is calling me to go home for a while.

I am open to suggestions or any interest you might pass my way. Perhaps He is allowing me time with my mother who is so frail. Though I missed many milestones with my Grandchildren, I have always been willing to give up family for this calling and yet God has been gracious in allowing me the times I have had to go home and 'visit'. I do know one thing, I will always be involved in Missions at the heart, and I will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS within my power be a supporter of Amani Baby Cottage. This place has been my lifeblood for over 5 years!!

This decision has not been abrupt nor easy. I have been praying, and fighting this with God for several weeks now. I knew this would probably happen someday but truly didn't expect it now. I love Amani and my work here. This is my home and has been since I first set foot on Ugandan soil.

I would like first to ask you to join me in prayer that God would continue to reveal His perfect will for my life and that I be patient and willing to bend or wait or go or whatever He has planned.

Secondly, I would like to ask you dear ones, for now, to partner with me and continue supporting me financially, both now and in the interim which of course starts January 2011. While it is still 4 months off, I need to prepare to begin shutting down my home and possessions I have acquired here in Uganda, get back home in Colorado, and then wait for God to direct my next move. Since I have no home, car, job or prospects at this time, I ask for your continued support. My goal is to be able to be ready, willing and able at the proper time. If you are so willing I would greatly appreciate it. Know that the funds will continue to be projected at Missions support. I will also continue for now with my blog comments on my work at Amani.

Lastly, I would ask that you let me know your thoughts, encouragements and any direction you think I might benefit from. I greatly value your love and support, your prayers and your friendship. This has been a difficult time and I feared it, yet, God said, Trust me, and that I shall do.

Thank you so very much and may God richly bless you as I pray you read between the lines and see into my heart. A heart filled with love and service to the kingdom.

By His Grace;

Siouxanne Mease
Reaching Hands Missions

Shanley's Thoughts

The coffee at Siouxanne’s flows abundantly in the morning hours. Often I find her sitting on the veranda with a second or third cup, curled up with her Bible or a good novel. This is her escape – a home where the Nile breeze enters in between the curtains in quick gusts, and she can check on the progress of her mango and lemon trees in the front yard. Often, towards the evening, she’ll juice lemons in her kitchen, and freeze the juice for a treat the next day.

I came to visit Siouxanne after spending four weeks in the Luwero district. Coming to be with her was a haven for me - a place of quiet and rest, running water and (mostly) dependable electricity. I trusted her home to be a place that I could come for normalcy, because she has learned the secret of adaptation. She walks a fine line between Uganda and Colorado, her work with 54 children off the Nile River, and the photos of her grandchildren that fill the rooms of her home in Jinja.

For me, it's the way that Siouxanne has adapted to her life here that is most remarkable. Just today, she was laughing telling me about the boda she bought when she first arrived, and her quick confrontation with a truck driver trying to move it while she was parked outside Jinja's marketplace. "I said, 'What in the world do you think you are DOING!?'" she laughed. She left, after that, to enter the market to grab some ingredients and I noticed the quick sureness in her step that tells me she knows her place here. And quite the place it has been - one of both healing and administrative volunteer, midwifery and volunteer coordinating (which she only did for 9 months) aside from her full time job as medical director. I know that, for her, it's a calling, more than a job - and that it is the calling to be here that gives her a sense of place, in the midst of living across the world from her children and grandchildren.

"I know I wouldn't be here if God hadn't put it on my heart that this was undeniably exactly what He wanted from me," she told me at dinner, over her delicious chicken tikka masala that I ate way too much of. "But that's what He did, and so I came."

I've heard the story before - the way she couldn't find a house to buy in the states, because, unbeknownst to her, God was preparing her to leave the country. I've heard about the heaviness in her heart when she left America for the first time, and the way she laid out a proverbial fleece before the Lord before she decided that it was, indeed, time to sell most all of her early possessions and move to Africa.

I think it's the honesty in her struggle between Uganda and Colorado, grandchildren and orphan care in Africa that gave her the ability to relate to me, and to laugh, as we compared ourselves to the Israelites, looking back on the parting of the red sea, but wondering just exactly how He plans to feed us in the desert. When she talks about the amount of time she might stay here, or when she'll be called to go, she turns back to the signs that brought her here the first time and says, "I don't know why I worry, when He provided so miraculously in bringing me here."

I once sent my mother a Confucius quote that reads, "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." It was a form of recognition, more than an admonishment. My mother has moved five times in the past four years - two of them across the country, all of them in houses with small kitchens and makeshift basements, unkempt gardens and half hearted paint jobs. She told me once that it had clicked for her that each place had to be made a home. I reminded Siouxanne of it this morning as I sat at her kitchen table and we talked about my own journey into Africa. I feel the tug she talks about, but I don't know what fleece to lay out, or how God will answer.

Until then, I'm encouraged when I think of Siouxanne, living here on the Nile and Lake Victoria, treating the children at Amani, midwifery, AIDS testing and running an emergency unit outside her clinic. On the side, she's housing and encouraging weary travelers like me, unsure of their own place in Africa but reminded, by people like her, that it's the answer to the call that matters in the first place - and that when it comes, one can rest in knowing that when His call does come, it comes in absolutely undeniable ways.

. Shanley Knox

Shanley Knox http://sjoknox.blogspot.com/2010/08/jinja.html

Voye'm: Jinja

sjoknox.blogspot.com

August 12, 2010 In the words of photographer Kendrick Brinson, "Life, I love you." I woke up this morning in Jinja, where my journey in Africa began. I haven't been here since August of 2008, when I hugged my roommates a quick goodbye at 5am, and climbed into the left seat of a taxi bound for Enteb...

Thursday at 6:51pm ·