Update

its been a rough week, but also an amazing time to be surrounded by family. after 4 days of traveling i reached usa for my brother Tom's burial. now i am preparing to return in the whirlwind. there is still so much to do and i've been getting some pressure to return quickly and sell everything that has been bought with our donations over the years and return it to CVM. the first half of my 'goodbye tour' was focused on the south - getting personal stuff sorted thru and distributed, getting bank accounts, visas, memberships and taxes sorted out, reconnecting (somehow) with the missionary community.
this has been hard at times, i've felt like the elephant in the room at times....its hard for friends or other missionaries to know what to do with my situation. its awkward and confronting for some, embarrassing and painful for others. but change is change and life and death, beginning and ending - this IS real. it seems right to face the next steps with honesty and with hope of the future that is laid out in front of me. it has been a blessing to take the time to embrace, to thank Ugandans face to face, to ask forgiveness and blessings, to accept blame and to give forgiveness, to say goodbye and to muse about tomorrow while we reminisce about sweet memories and times together.
after i land, i'll make my way back up to karamoja - sort and sell stuff that Tom has gone thru, set up KACHEP's solar system in the stone house for their offices, have a week long visioning & planning workshop with KACHEP with an outside facilitator, take time with weekly trainings for animal health staff (including Dr Carina Gruber), to visit friends in Karamojong towns and villages...pray under the stars, strum that guitar, fellowship with Summer, visit the goat project and chicken project recipients, and to prepare for Uttermost Ministries team who arrive in 2 weeks.
UM will be taking over for CVM to umbrella KACHEP. for more information how to donate to KACHEP thru UM - contact Paul Elmhorst -cc'd above

pray for my journey. I've been slightly sick since Sunday, but saw a doctor yesterday and have started on some meds that seem to be clearing me up. of course, i'm drained by jet lag, lack of sleep, sadness and emotions of losing my brother. i'm grateful for the time i had with him and my mom dec and jan. and this turn of events gives me more and more reason to be near family for the next couple of seasons

pray for my mother -to lose a child is very difficult.
pray for KACHEP that their visioning workshop would give them insight on what God would have them do in the future. I  was encouraged by their work when i returned and how impressed other NGO's have been with their followup and quality accountability.
pray that my health would be strengthened
pray that He would be strong as i am weak

in Him
Jean