view this video

i urge you and Joshua and the KACHEP staff and BOT to view this video - excellent. I would think it wise for your team to look into this -we shall share more when i visit.

listen here

Smiles

Carina, Summer and Simon

Simon, Jean and Summer

Prayer

Please pray!
My mom had a fall, she's admitted to the hospital and I'm feeling overwhelmed with decisions and alone within this American culture and a family that I no longer seem to be connected to

Pray for wisdom as we transition mom into rehab, for resources to provide her care, for unity within the family, for healing and peace for mom. For me to trust in the Lord with my whole heart, mind and soul

-Jean
415-858-4262

small update jean

hallo,
soon Uttermost Ministries will be sending out a prayer letter for Karamoja - that is for KACHEP - if you have been getting one from CVM, you should be on the list. If you do NOT want to get it -let Uttermost know.

meanwhile -i'm getting ready for another family gathering. pray for me as i integrate not only with usa, but with family and all those things that i don't normally struggle with and all those this i don't get to enjoy - overwhelming in both arenas

jean

Travels

i'm down in Mbale - had to rush to kampala for some bureaucratic stuff with leaving the pearl of africa - taxes stuff.
pray for me as my left eye has been  bothering me - got some dust in it and my ride up to Nabilatuk on Saturday. got the solar panels up and mounted for KACHEP new office and then left sunday morning for Kampala

was sweet to have some campfire time with Summer, Simon and Carina. they had a good week in language while i was down with the KACHEP staff in Mbale for strategic planning. it was so encouraging to realise all the strengths that KACHEP has and how their work fits in with the vision, mission and core values that we the founders laid out almost 10years ago.
just when the devil plays with my mind, God rushes in and uplifts me -praise Him

it was exciting to see the non management staff get a handle on all the Mukisa does in planning -fun to see them grasping it and acknowledging their work fits in with the grand plan.

it was discouraging to see some of their strengths underutilized -like all the work that we've done over the years, not being systematically utilized and developed - we hope that strategic volunteer partners can help fill these gaps -that means Summer and Simon with evangelism, Carina with vet, me with ethnovet followup - and maybe you! consider it

pray that visitors do not just visit - but partner in such a way that tangible outcomes/outputs are in place before they leave.
for example, we, as KACHEP have been doing evangelism, medicine making, agroforestry -but we haven't produced training materials.  i have yet to make a 'pre-literate' book on local medicines -a promise that 'has become a chorus' as they say

pray for the Uttermost Ministries team -Paul & Mary, Preston & Dawn - they start their journey today from Chicago. pray against jet lag and getting stuck on the karamoja roads. pray that they would be an encouragement to KACHEP and vice versa.

pray that we can finish up the solar setup -seems preston can help -yeah!

ok -i gotta go to bed - need to hop on my piki at dawn, and cross thru 6 districts. hope to meet both bishops tomoro and even get to the village where where were married 9years ago.

pray for board member, pray for fellow board member, Professor Francis Lomongin, he is in the hospital in Matany. we shall visit him on Wed. pray also for Bob Wright who had an accident yesterday

on the road.
jean

ps -thanks for all the support following my brothers burial -i think most of you have seen the obit -really grasped who tom was

the second 'Dr Grade'

what a brother.... lots of crazy memories.

 the second Dr Grade

on the plane back from his funeral, i got the idea that i'd like KACHEP to set up a memorial medicinal garden for Tom. He was an inspiration for me - he was the one who encouraged me to first practice and develop my skills, habits and techniques before moving off to Africa - something i was ready to do immediately after vet school.

i had the chance to live with him this last December and January, much if it was difficult -but i found sweetness in us both sharing our emotional pain that we were collectively going thru, he had become a good listener those days, what a bittersweet blessing

Travels

i'm down in Mbale, we are here gathering for a 4 day workshop with KACHEP for planning and visioning. pray that it would go smoothly and that i would be of good cheer and an encourager - yet at the same time to step back, to feel His presence and experience rest.

i should have internet and phone contact this week to give some updates (+256 7588 99777)

the team from Uttermost Ministries is arriving next week to Uganda -pray for their journey and last minute stuff. pray that folks would transfer their support of KACHEP from CVM to Uttermost Ministries.... to learn more for you yourself to do this - contact uttermost  cc'd above - or peek at their evolving web page -http://ourfathershousewi.com/uttermost.htm

the roads are getting pretty bad -my piki got me down to mbale - but had to carry it thru one overflowing river, passed more than a dozen stuck trucks, lots of mud and rain.

all in all -downright exhilarating! saw baboons and crested cranes, wow

had a chance to greet Nabilatuk from the pulpit on Sunday -sweet to have so many friends and fond memories flooding around.
went out to climb some rocky hills with Summer and Grubers after church - not another person in sight, so quiet, so amazing. lots of rock hyrax, eagles, antelope, turtles - good to have a day of rest

pray that i would keep focus, but that i would also embrace and sing

time is rushing by so fast, but i struggle sometimes to finish the task at hand -pushing off finishing somethings, perhaps, cause i do not want 'it' to end

in His hands
j

Update Jean

Siblings that pass away have special meaning to us. They are often close in age to us and their death may bring to mind our own mortality. Life is no longer taken for granted. Someone from our generation has passed away. If the death is unexpected, there may be loose ends in the relationship that have not been dealt with. It is common that a death of a sibling brings upon a search for meaning. We may ask ourselves if we are accomplishing the goals that we have set for ourselves.

CC BY 3.0

Source: Brother Death Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/death/death-brother-poems.asp#ixzz2RwbWQ96H
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

At the Funeral:

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

Prayer request

My brother Tom just died at my mothers home in the USA. The funeral is tuesday. Please pray for peace and way for me to quickly return.
Jean

Please pray

Please pray for me as I'm here, having time to say goodbye, to 'give them love and give them wings', and for me to embrace the memories, regrets and even the profound joy of being in my favorite places in the world crowds in on me and makes my heart heavy and weary. 

Beseech that the Holy Spirit would breathe into me that I  might overcome the sense of sad loss, of so much that once was, now uncompleted and unfulfilled.

Jean

News from Jean!

i think the word has gone out - the . KACHEP management team (Mukisa and Loumo) were denied their visas.

so - this not only bummed me out, but got me spinning... i didn't realise how calming it was for me to imagine leaving Uganda in june with them, how much easier the transition to america seemed IF they were by my side -wow, its really going to be hard to say 'so long, for now, uganda' without them...

not only that, but to have a tangible way to visit supporters in the stats and encourage them to continue supporting uganda thru KACHEP.

now, it even makes me wonder how sustainable the project will be.... as for that mystery -i put that out of my hands and into His (and a bit of yours....)

so - my sister-in-law, Maria had suggested  a few months ago that i  should put together a short video of them and the work, even tho (at that time) we thought they were coming.

then, my buddy at Ross University, JQ - brought up the same idea...after the denial - let them be seen, even if they can't physically be seen in Europe and America

my Pastor, Ron Johnson has been praying thru it too - and this is what i would love to happen in Uganda next month when i am there.

but i need help!
my shoulders are not large enough to do it... can you come to Uganda and help?
do you know someone who can?

of course, you/they would have to be self funded -but it would be a huge blessing to them -and you would LOVE being in karamoja

i would suggest 2 weeks, the end of May and then we would travel back together in June - help me leave -so to speak.

the ideal person would also be able to bring ideas to the team on fundraising -ie how to write a grant proposal.

the ideal person could also help be part of a team retreat to give them encouragement and refreshment.

you don't have to have all these gifts & talents.
but the ability to carry a camera, develop a story and edit.
altho -those that i've talked with, like my IT nephew, say that the real editing would be down stateside by a more knowledgeable person...

so -i'm putting this out there -help
jean

PS -Summer and the Grubers, whom have continued with the church planting movement work that we were a part of may be also interested in your video expertise -they are currently remote in Kaabong. i'll meet with them in April

B is for Beyond

the name KKAB was coined by one of its original members, Ryan McCabe back in 2010. it was kind of a play with Acts1:8 and Buzz Lightyear. 'Beyond' is where each of us in the original team are:Ryan is in Kitgum, Tom is in Texas, I am in Wi, and will visit 3 more states and 2 more countries before I return to Uganda the 31 March.
It has been a difficult year -but, even thru the extremes, His hand is evident. Thanks for your prayers and patience.
Pray for Summer and the Grubers as they are in Lotim in an intensive training until April.
Pray for me as I prepare to 'visit' what has been home for the last 15 years. Its sinking in -I'll transition to living in America and visiting Karamoja...
Pray for success in securing US visas for the KACHEP management team, manager Mukisa and chairman Loumo. We desire that they would join me on a 'final' fundraising tour and meet faithful supporters who wish to continue lifting up Karamoja as I take my leave. its time to become less as others become more.

its time to move beyond
in His timing,
Jean

Who am I?

Who I am, aka - my identity, has been so much tied into ‘what I do’ - God wants that to change. Who ‘I am’ is ‘who I am in Him’ –what He has done, not what I have done. I’ve aimed to allow my work to also be worship; all the while searching (and finding) meaningful work that I enjoy and within it I can make a difference in the lives around me.

I still believe this is good, but –I need to further strive to equate my identity in who I am in Christ –not my identity based on ‘what’ I do.

This is a good lesson for me to revisit –now, while still in my 40’s and not at retirement. As we age, or have debilitating accidents, ‘regular work’ gets forced out of our daily lives, which I imagine the abruptness (of identity) would be even more difficult. Now I have a chance to practice what I’ve been preaching. Leaving the mission field of Uganda, life as I’ve known it for 15 years, is giving me an opportunity to live this out. As an adult, I have had a handful of titles – Doctor –working as a vet in America, Missionary - serving with CVM short term in Haiti & Cameroon and long term in Uganda, Wife –married to Tom in Uganda for 8 years, PhD candidate –studying and defending in Belgium in 2008.

But, now, the question begs –who am I? If I’m not a missionary, who am I? Is there really a box that I need to fill in that asks for my title, my identity? Even though we’ve left ‘front line ministry’ and many roles have changed -

I still am, and remain, a child of God (Jn 1). I stand in Him as I sit in my ashes and grieve over my losses. I am complete in Christ (Col1). Thus, I’m accepted.

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col 3). I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rm 8). Thus, I am secure.

I am God’s workmanship (Eph2) and I can do all things thru Him, who strengthens me.  Thus, I am significant!

I do not discount the work that Tom and I have been able to be a part of overseas.  We are grateful that the seeds we’ve planted and others that we’ve watered will still be tended primarily by the Holy Spirit, but also the hands of KACHEP, Summer Root and the Grubers. Please pray for them!

Today, I’m in Germany to meet Simon and Carina Gruber to help in the handover of our ministry to them. Formerly with Campus Crusade, he’s a theologian and she’s a vet. They’ll move to Karamoja to join Summer and KACHEP in January. I will join them for 3 months in March, and I plan to visit every year for a couple of months. Let me know if you are interested in joining me.

KACHEP - Emmy, Olum, Andreas, James, Joshua, Miriam, Christina, Alyce (visiting sis of Mel), Melissa, Valentina, Nabur and Summer
 

KACHEP got another huge batch of day-old chicks last month for the various communities; next month they’ll train another group of select women how to keep healthy goats as another dozen local goats get new homes. Pray for Melissa as she returns to Australia and Carina steps in.
 

Here's one of the family's that you have been supporting thru our work
-  young Longok and his baby goat
 

Tom has returned from Uganda and is getting settled into Texas and looking for teaching jobs at the seminary level and church work. I was able to spend a month backpacking in California, the last week in snow.  Thanks for your prayers regarding my health. Two days ago in Belgium, my neurosurgeon reassured me that my neck is doing well. We are both searching for jobs.  Please feel free to let us know of any leads. As my health is doing well, I plan to get back into large animal veterinary practice and get involved in a community church. We both have loose ends to tie up, some of them with readers of this note.

We continue to rest in the Lord, in whom we are accepted, secure and significant. This is the last month we will receive support thru CVM, therefore, we again urge you to transfer your financial support to KACHEP through CVM, contact Vicki at vvangorkom@cvmusa.org

Paul Elmhorst (Our Father’s House church, WI) is setting up a non-profit fund for KACHEP to transition away from CVM (mid 2013). Another option is to support Summer and the Grubers (see pic below) through Pioneers Int’l or to support another CVM worker, Emily Arndt, who will also do ethnovet work, as I did and KACHEP continues to do.
 

This year has been a time for me to be humble, honest and wounded. Intense Christian counselling for us has helped us start the healing process; my month in the wilderness was delightful - just me and the Lord, with the Spirit groaning through me. Thanks for your prayers.

Within each of us is a space that only God can fill,
 

 

PS Be blessed thanks for your years of support and prayers; for standing with and by us and in Him. Hoping to visit you this summer with KACHEP’s manager, Mukisa -please contact me to look at dates for a visit jeangrade@yahoo.com

Irish

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat
Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl
Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh
Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna
Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,
Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú. 



May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

from here 

Newsletter Tom and Jean October 2012

Newsletter Tom and Jean October 2012

Newsletter Tom and Jean August 2012

newsletter august 2012

Newsletter Summer

This time its Summer writing the letter!

Newsletter July

Update Jean

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement... care packages to be ripped into can be sent to 1734 W Shaw Ave Apt 105, Fresno CA 93711
Meanwhile - i started running last week, first time since Dec. Then a few days ago swam a mile and had no numbness/tingling in my arms - first time in 3 months. Cardio tests came back swimmingly, too. Meanwhile we are getting some needed counseling to dig thru marriage and management issues that have been plaguing us. May the Lord be at the center - this is tough..
Jean

For Tom and Jean

Dear Lord,
You know our friends so much better than I do. You know their sicknesses and the burden they carry. You also know their heart. Lord, we ask you to be with our friends now as you work in their life. Lord, let your will be done in our friend's life. If there is a sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven, please help them to see their need and confess.
Lord, we pray for our friends just as your Word tells us to pray, for healing.We  believe you hear this earnest prayer from our hearts and that it is powerful because of your promise. We have faith in you, Lord, to heal our friends, but we also trust in the plan you have for their life.
Lord, we don't always understand your ways. We don't know why our friends have to suffer, but we trust you. We ask that you look with mercy and grace toward our friends. Nourish their spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort them with your presence.
Let our friends know you are there with them through this difficulty. Give them strength. And may you, through this difficulty, be glorified in their life and also in ours.
Amen.

Written by Sarah,
and I am sure also in the Name of Ryan, Mukisa, Miriam, Summer and Melissa