MY FINAL DAYS IN THE USA

WATCHING AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN OKLAHOMA

Mark and Margaret took me to the air port early in the morning to take my flight back to Oklahoma.

I found Jeff and Gene waiting for me at the air port and we drove off to Oklahoma City.

After Lunch we went to watch American foot ball at Oklahoma University stadium.

Oklahoma University was going to play with Kansas University.

The Stadium was filled 40 minutes before the game started. This stadium seats 80,000 people. It has two big screens on either side and several other medium size screens all over the stadium.

This was going to be a big game.

There was a loud blast of gun shots and a continued shout and a lot of noise when the OU game players entered the stadium.

The entire stadium was filled with red and white T-shirts for the OU fans with a few Blue T-shirts for the Kansas fans. Every body was so excited and expectant. Thank God, Jeff, Gene and I sat in a good place where I could take a closer look.

Before the game started, the OU band played the anthems of OU and Kansas Universities respectively. They then played the anthem of Oklahoma State and US national anthem before it played the Oklahoma state anthem again.

OU fans were cheering all over. There was this OU Horses and the riders that came in and took a quick round in the stadium with some masked men in horse heads. The band and two sets of young ladies kept every body entertained, with Music, games and gymnastics. I looked at every detail until my eyes pained.

Finally the game started and the fans would all stand up at once and all sit at once. At first I thought some one was making signals when to sit and stand but Jeff explain that some body sits and the rest feel like doing the same and it goes through the stadium. This is a game of able bodied men that literally wrestle over the ball to try and run with the ball to the other end of the opponents and the opponents try to stop them as much as possible.

Whenever OU scored, there would be a loud blast of gun shots and fire works plus a prolonged thunderous noise and shouting. Then the Horse riders would make a ride half way the stadium and the gymnastic girls would somersault! It was all crazy. Up till then I knew Americans were gentle and quiet people but my friend, every body was shouting crazy until I also felt like shouting. Thank God the OU won the game.

The more I watched it the more I picked interest. By the time we left I had converted to American football but it won’t last long. When I go back to Uganda where most people are crazy with Soccer, I will convert back to Soccer and support Arsenal Foot ball club.

SUNDAY SERVICE
This being my last Sunday in Elk City, I attended my service at the Methodist Church where Jeff and Whitney are church members.

It was a great opportunity to see most of the friends I had made and say farewell to them.

After service we had lunch with Jeff’s parents; Gene and Linda, they are amazing people, I enjoyed their company all through.

It also happened to be a birthday for Tim and Tiffan’s son, so we joined the rest of the family friends and had a good time, before we went back to meet Jonathan who was coming over to help us pack my bags ready for Tuesday journey back to Uganda.

That evening the Sunday school fellowship that Jeff leads had a function at Pat and Sarah’s house, there we met several other friends and the evening was great. We had a great fellowship and lots of fun. It was interesting to see every body dressed in funny costumes and attires. It all looked different and every body was laughing. At the end of the function gifts were given to winners of the day according to creativity, funny etc. Different people took prizes. I enjoyed it all.

GETTING MORE SPONSORS
More and more people are getting excited to be part of what God is doing in our community by giving an opportunity to at least one more child to go to school.

After the Sunday service at the Methodist church where Jeff and Whitney are members, many people came over asking for information to sponsor a child. Whitney gave them all this information.

Education to a child in our community is a treasure. Education helps develop the brains of a child to handle different challenges in life. Children who are given this opportunity to develop mentally will normally be successful and effective in life. And in Uganda it is easier for an educated child to get a job in future and be able to care of himself and possibly his siblings.

35 USD a month is all it takes to pay one child’s tuition in primary school.

Unfortunately, not many children in our community can afford this. Many don’t have this opportunity. The majorities are Orphans and others come from very poor families that cannot even afford a daily meal for their families.

We appreciate all those who have considered putting a side $35 to give a good future to at least one child in Africa.

Not only people in Elk City, Oklahoma are excited about sponsoring children, but also many from other parts feel it a special blessing to be part of this great opportunity to minister to children in need. Debbie and Logan Cox, Denise’s parents from Texas, who had formerly signed to sponsor two children, last week after Denise, had shared with them the bigness to the need, decided to take on eight more children!

Another lady from Utah called Mariah, Wolfe, a friend I met on the air port on my way from Florida, also decided to sponsor three children after we had shared about the need in our community to take care of the helpless children.

Thank you friends, for taking on such a great responsibility to become mothers and fathers to these precious children.

To sponsor a child, please write to Whitney Smith at: whitney-123@hotmail.com

MY VISIT TO DALLAS

Mark and Dan we waiting for me at the baggage claim area and went for dinner and then drove home. Margaret was at home waiting. I was happy to be hosted at Mark and Margaret’s home.

The next day. Margaret took me to Preston wood Christian Academy, where Yvonne is the Assistant Principal. It was great to meet Yvonne.

I also got the opportunity of meeting Sandra and Nancy who head AWANA. AWANA at Preston wood has been a great blessing to our AWANA back at Revival Tabernacle in Kabale. I told them briefly what the Lord had done in our church and community through AWANA. AWANA, a children discipleship program, is tremendously influencing the way of life in our community.

Yvonne took us around the school and church facilities.

Preston wood Academy is a church school. The church shares most of its facilities with the school especially during the weekdays and the school shares its facilities with the church especially for AWANA and on Sunday for Sunday school classes.

It is a clean school with good and organized classes.

In the evening I met with the Rock board, the Rock organization do a lot of ministry in Uganda with students’ support and business incubation.

It was great for me to share with them my vision and my dreams. They also shared with me the Rock’s new procedures especially in relationship with the Revival Tabernacle Ministries and future working relationship. We decided I would report to our ministry board before we decide which way things would go, and possibly come up with a written agreement.

Yvonne took us for a barbecue dinner. It was delicious.

We visited Yvonne’s house briefly, before Mark, Margaret and I went back to their residence. We missed Jon, Yvonne’s husband who had gone visiting.

THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

On Friday, Mark and Margaret took me for the State Fair of Texas. It had been going on for a week and it was due to end on Sunday.

This state fair started centuries, way back as an exhibition where people especially farmers would come from different places and with different items for the show and for selling. Here you would enjoy different things from different cultures.

Now it has become a big State fair and different things are done. It takes place once every year.

I was surprised to see thousand of people who had come to attend this year’s fair. There were several things on exhibition and lots of commodities being sold. Different games going on, a lot many things which are interesting to see. Also there were several rides for children and adults alike.

Margaret and I took a ride in one of them. It was fun!

We also visited a few other places, like animal houses. I had never seen cows so big!

It was a great day.

That evening I was scheduled to meet some Rock chapter members who help raise support for the Rock ministry.

Earlier on, during the day I had met Mark’s Mother who is a generous supporter of the Rock.

It was going to be Yvonne’s birthday. Mark and Margaret prepared her a big cake.

We had a great fellowship.

I shared with them how their support has tremendously been a blessing especially to the 16 children in the children’s house and the Rock scholarship students.

Thank you friends for all you are doing to make a difference in our community.

FLORIDA

MY VISIT TO ESTERO CITY

The following morning I boarded for Florida through Dallas again at 2:40p.m. We reached Fort Myers late around 10:00p.m.

People for Missions organization had booked for me to stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel for two nights. This hotel is so beautiful and rooms are spacious. It was as if I had rented an apartment.

Such hotels in Uganda are for presidents and Ambassadors, I felt like a King! No wonder the Bible says that we are Kings and Priests. And I am an Ambassador of heaven, the Bible says.

Florida is a beautiful state, with palm trees all over.

The people here speak so fast, once again I had trouble communicating with people.

The following morning, Pastor Ralph, Garry and Vinnie of PFM/HOH came over to see me after break fast. I had a good time with them. We had dinner together and shared lots of stories and testimonies of what the Lord is doing in Uganda and in India where they run children’s homes.

The next day, Vinnie and Garry took me with them to Nepal’s, south west Florida, to attend a Luncheon that was organized by Kingdom Mobilization. It is kind of meeting is held after every three months and Pastors of different churches and denomination and missionaries to different nations across the world come her and give testimonies and their experiences.

It was so encouraging for me to listen to the experiences of these men and women of God as they gave testimony after testimony. I learn that there is nothing new under the sun, there are challenges every where, it is a matter of cultural difference, and differences in locality. It is amazing how God is able to help us to do his will despite our localities and hindrances we face.

Later on, Garry took me and Vinnie to the airport.

And I left for Dallas.

MY VISIT TO VIRGINIA

GLOUCESTER AND HISTORY

Gloucester happens to be on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. This city, together with the neighboring cities; Williamsburg and Jamestown are historical places. A lot is remembered from these cities.

These were the first settlements of the British as they came in to colonize America. Most places here bear British names. Possibly Williamsburg Jamestown derive their names from the British kings around that time.

It is amazing that in the same place on the York River, the British surrendered as the American fought for their independence. One bridge is called the battle bridge and it is said the British surrendered here and retreated back home as the America flag was hoisted up.

Virginia is so beautiful with trees all around and beautiful rivers. Many people do fishing on these rivers and they do animal hunting in the forests.

MY SHOOTING LESSONS

Many people in America own guns. It is legal to be licensed with government to own a gun in America on request as long as you have a clean record from crime.

Tom owns some of these which he sometimes uses for hunting. He says his father taught him to shoot and to do hunting.

Tom asked me if I knew how to shoot a gun and I told him that I had never even come close to a gun. Tom said he would teach me to shoot a gun. It was kind of scaring to me to touch a gun. Our Uganda history is tainted with blood shed and murder by use of guns, many people would run away on the sight of some one with a gun. But, I said I will give it a try.

So Friday and Saturday evening, Tom took me to the woods to teach me and he taught me how to handle the gun, and how to aim at a target and then he taught me how to shoot.

My gun lessons started with the pellet gun which is normally used to shoot small animals like rats and birds, it can hurt a bigger animal though.

The next day I graduated to the 22gun. This is powered by gun powder and is noisier than the first one.

It was so exciting and interesting to shoot.

We were targeting water bottles placed some distance away. At first I was scared to death but I got used to the blast and there I was aiming at the bottle. I missed it several times, but I came pretty close.

Next time I will learn the bigger one.

CRUISING ON YORK RIVER

Tom owns two motor boats and many times he goes out on the York River to do some sporting. It is an interesting sport but you have to be extra careful, you can easily fall off. Some rope connected to the engine is tied on your wrist so that in case you fall off, the engine stops automatically. Also you have to put on a life jacket to keep you a float incase you fall off, so you can get back to the boat easily .Sandy told me that she fell off the boat several times.

It was kind of risky to join Tom for this Saturday’s cruising on water. But I felt it was ok to learn this too.

We put on wet suits which keep us from getting wet; we put our life jacket and pulled the boats off the truck into the water.

It was so easy starting the engine, and it was not difficult for me to direct the boat since I know how to ride a motorcycle and it is almost like a motorcycle.

I started off slowly with Tom watching my every movement and I slowly gained confidence, and there I was cruising on the water.

I would get nervous when we would meet big waves but soon I got used and I would sail through. However we did go deeper on the York river since the waves tend to be bigger and stronger the deeper you go.

I soon was on the river pacing but he best I could go was 52 MPH. It was fun!

FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH

I was scheduled to preach at Friendship Baptist church. Pastor Walt, the pastor of this growing church is a friend of tom and Sandy and we met one of their mission trip to Uganda.

Tom and Sandy took me to Walt’s place and we joined church later.

It was a blessing for me to minister to such a hungry congregation for the word of God. God did amazing things two ladies were healed by the Lord during the service.

We had lunch together with Tom, Sandy, Walt and a few members of the church leadership together with friends of Sandy from the Light House Worship church. We had a great discussion and good fellowship.

After Lunch, Sandy took me back to the airport since my flight was scheduled for that evening.

I boarded for Washington /Dulles from where I connected back to Oklahoma City.

Jeff had booked for me to stay at Hyatt Place, a very beautiful Hotel in the city; I reached here by 9:00p.m.

I enjoyed my stay at this Hotel.

THE JOURNEY TO VIRGINIA

Last Thursday, 9th October,by 4:00 am we were up and by 5:30 we were at the airport,as i was scheduled to go to Virginia, where i was scheduled to visit my friends Tom and Sandy and minister at Pastor Walt's church on Sunday.

On flight to Chicago, I met some people who were coming from Elk city and they were talking together about me. And I wondered how on earth they could know me but the one man finally reached out to me and said “we have been reading a lot about you in the news, and we are praying for you.”

I had done another interview with another newspaper a day before I left for San Antonio.

It is amazing how moves and works so fast. Many people now know our ministry and are praying for us.

It took us one hour and we were in Chicago. It is a very big city on the Atlantic Ocean shores.

We were here for three hours before leaving for Norfolk at 12:30am.

I sometimes can’t imagine that I am traveling all these places in a short time. To God be all the glory.

Thank you all my friends that have helped make my dram a reality. Thank for your generous support.

I am also very excited about the many new friends I have made on my trip.

By 4:00 pm we had reached Norfolk, which is about an hour from Gloucester where Tom and Sandy leave.

Virginia is one hour ahead of Oklahoma. Sandy was waiting for me and we drove to Gloucester.

As we drove home, I was surprised to when we went through an underground bridge. It was built under water to allow the big ships easy transit on the York River. I could not imagine how they could have built this bridge.

We had dinner with together with Tom and then Tom took me home. Sandy said at church for some church assignments. Tom and Sandy go to Light House Worship church.

By this time I was so tired, so it was time to sleep.

MY LAST DAY IN SAN ANTONIO

Though I had been in San Antonio for a few days, I had made so many friends at Maranatha Bible church, so it was painful to depart. I felt like Paul when he was saying farewell to the Ephesians brethren. I felt the love of the brethren as they surrounded me to say farewell.

The Pastor and his wife are great people, with the church leadership; they prayed for me and wished me a safe journey.

The Pastor asked one of the church members to take me to the airport.

I had to do the checking in myself, I was getting used now.

Americans are simple and gentle people. They like their space not like is Uganda where people crash and many times push when on line. In Uganda when you live some space before you, some else will come and occupy it, so we make sure we squeeze on the lines.. Even on the plane, I was surprised; they don’t panic as we do. They are patient; they wait for the first in line to move out first. In Uganda, the last person will crush others to have his way out first. I noticed this even in Restaurants; the Americans respect other people’s rights. It is amazing the big difference US has with Africa and Uganda in particular.

Even then in Africa, they seem to take their time, they don’t hurry so much. In US every thing is done quickly. In Uganda they don’t so much respect time, the majority, coming 30minutes late is ok.

One hour later, I was in Dallas and connected to Oklahoma.

Jeff and Whitney were waiting for me at the airport and we spent the night at Eron’s place. Eron is Jeff’s sister, she leaves in Oklahoma city.

The night was very short, because I had to wake up so early to catch my 7:00 am plane to Virginia.

THE AMERICAN POLITICS

I visited America during a very interesting season when the American are preparing to vote for a new President to take over after president Bush when his term in office expires with the end of this year. So on Tuesday the presidential candidates were going to hold a campaign debate together.

That evening we watched the debate on TV.

It was interesting to see how the US economy dominated the campaign trend. The economy has gone down in America with the stock market going down. And it is a concern of many people. Nations across the world are affected too, with whatever affects America.

However it was a point of concern that American may vote into office any person regardless of whether he honors moral values as long as he may fix the economy.

In Uganda we love America and are concerned with the welfare of the American country, by the time I came over many people were praying for America and we continue to pray.

America votes for the new president, November 4^th.

PREACHING AT MARANATHA BIBLE CHURCH, IN SAN ANTONIO

It was time to leave for San Antonio. On Saturday 4th October, we woke up so early in the morning, we set off for Oklahoma City, by 8:00am.

It took us 2 hours to reach Wills Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. Checking in was a lot easier, as I was getting more experienced. Jeff helped where I got difficulty.

The plane left around 11:00 am and an hour later we were in Dallas.

Fort worth Dallas airport is so big! I had to use a terminal shuttle to get to the right Gate for my next boarding. I didn’t have much trouble getting through the process.

4 hours later, we boarded for San Antonio and by 6:00pm we were in San Antonio. There is a lot of construction going on at the Airport, so it took some time before Pastor Draper could get where I was. But soon, he got me and we set off.

We had dinner and had a good time before he took me to the place I was supposed to stay.

I stayed at Johnson Nantambwa’s, he is a Ugandan by birth.

I had a great time with his family. He is married to Monica and they have two daughters.

They have a beautiful house.

We woke up Sunday early in the morning for church.

Maranatha Bible church starts the first service at 8 so were at church by 6:30 to make preparations.

I was scheduled to preach that Sunday evening service. This Sunday happened to e a mission’s Sunday. Several missionaries attended this Sunday service.

However, it turned out that the preacher of morning services was not able to come and the pastor asked me if I can preach.

I have preached for the last 15 years and before I came the Lord had given a message, so it would not be a hard thing. I told him that I had no problem with that.

I preach three times that day and by the time we went home I was so tired.

I enjoyed the services at Maranatha Bible church.

Monday is normally the Pastor’s day off, so I spent most of the day with the Pastor and his wife together with Jackie one of the missionaries the church support on the Philippine Islands.

We took lunch together. I ate Mexican food called Fajita, it tasted great. The only thing I didn’t like about it was beans, because I am used to eating beans back at home.

I have adjusted to the American food and I am now comfortable taking any food. Most of the foods in the US are processed and it is a bit hard to adjust to it when you have been used to our Ugandan food. Food here tastes different. Here they add sugar to most foods, we are used to add salt to food and sugar is added to tea or coffee in Uganda.

In the evening we visited Stuart and family. It was a great time of fellowship, having Johnson, his wife and children around. We also had Amos, another good friend with us. Stuart and Johnson have been coming to Uganda on mission trips and we have picked friendship. We had dinner together and before we went home.

Johnson’s home is close to the road and I could hear the school buses come over to pick children for school in the morning.

It is so interesting that Education for Elementary and High school is free in the US. The government pays tuition and students are transported to school and brought back in the evening. I n Uganda some kids walk for over 5 miles to go to school and tuition is paid for right from Elementary school. May children find it hard to go to school especially orphans and children from poor families. Most families in Kabale are so poor.

I felt at home, as we discussed different Uganda stories with Johnson and his family.

LIFE IN THE USA

Pastor Johnson narrates his experience in Elk City, Oklahoma:
America is much different from Africa. When i first came in here, i was amazed at the huge difference between life in Uganda and life in the US. Having lived in Uganda for all of my life apart from a few days when i went to Rwanda, the new experience was going to leave a lasting impact on my life.
It is so important as a preacher to learn the difference between different cultures, the ways of conduct and life style of different people. It makes you appreciate the power and wisdom of God and cause you to love him more. God in his supremacy made every thing and every person different and unique for his glory.
America is full of different people from different backgrounds and does not necessarily have a unifying culture and way of doing things. It is a free society.
But whereas i do appreciate our culture, it was great to learn how other people on this part of the universe go about life.
Here are a few things i learnt during my visit to Oklahoma:
In my country being overweight is fun! It is associated normally with the rich who can afford plenty of food to eat. And usually being fat is a sign of wealth and respect in the community. I was surprised that in the US it is the reverse, people don't like to be overweight and don't like to be referred to as fat.
Here, they eat lots of foods different from our food. Where as, in Uganda we tend to eat similar food items and just aim at balancing the diet. In America they eat lots of different foods and in different forms. It wasn't hard for me to adjust to the food they eat here. Though i miss matoke (unripened banana which is pealed and smoked, it tastes almost like potatoes).
They like to take most of their drinks, cold. At one restaurant with my friends one evening, i was asked if i wanted tea. I said, yes! What came in to my mind was the African Tea (tea leaves boiled in water and flesh milk with Sugar added to taste). To my surprise i was handed a very cold glass with black tea in ICE! I asked my friends, "is this tea?"
They replied that Americans like ice cold tea! They put ice in other drink they take too; a coke, juice , water etc. Never mind that America (Oklahoma)is not a very hot country.
Their houses are all air conditioned. My first night in Elk city was so cold. I wondered, it was a little bit warm out side but that night i was freezing. I was narrating my first experience to my hosts and it was funny, i told them that America unlike Africa is warm out side but freezing cold in side the house. I told them how i was freezing at night. "We like it is that way",they replied, "but we will make it warmer for you".
It was kind of like magic, because that night it was a different story, it was so hot like Northern Uganda, i was sweating the whole night. In the morning they asked me how my night was. And i replied," i can't understand America, this night was too warm that i was sweating". So they said we shall make it moderate. I followed Jeff, to see what he would do, to my surprise, he adjusted the temperatures on the air conditioner to my apartment and that night was great!
They don't have ventilators or open windows like we have in Uganda for fresh air. Every house has an air conditioning system. I was told that in winter when it snows the air conditioner keeps the houses very warm.
While here, i got my first experience to use a shower! In Uganda most families use make shift bath rooms for bathing. Most are build with papyrus reeds, and some simply put poles in the compound and put a wrapper or bed sheets around them for a bathroom. But the majority like to use the cover of darkness at night and they put the basin of water on the podium or veranda and bathe. Here bathrooms are in the house and this water splashes on you as you bathe, it is almost like rain only that this is warm. You just feel like bathing all the time.
One thing that surprised me most is that there is no Malaria in America. One evening, a mosquito was almost biting me, so i kept dodging it. Jeff wondered what was going on. I told him, one bit from that insect, you are step away from your grave. I told him how Malaria is rampant and deadly in Uganda. He told me that there is nothing like malaria in the US. They just read it in History books and in the news.
America is a very rich country! There is a sign of abundance every where. Unlike our community where you rarely see anyone driving, here you rarely see any one walking. I was surprised,even a short distance they drive there.The buildings are great, every thing here is first class and fancy! I was amazed because the gates open by themselves. The garage door would open by itself and when we enter it closes again!
There is this place that we visited called the Wal Mart! The place is fabulous to say the least! It is so huge and has plenty of item to sell out here. For the first time, i saw so many people gathered in one shop( they call it store here), to buy a few things to take home.
I must say, i have enjoyed every thing in Oklahoma. The people here are so freindly and hospitable. We had several dinner invitations in several homes and i had a great time.
My next stop over will be San Antonio.
May God bless America!

THE KIDS BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

Pastor Johnson reports on his US trip:
Last Wednesday, after the usual Fellowship where we took a hamburger and a coke and had great fellowship with friends, I was asked to talk to the youth in their Bible study.
They normally have their Bible study every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Tim Dewitt leads this kids' fellowship and he had asked me to share with the kids about Missions.
So after the usual fellowship, i went with Jeff to meet these youth.
I shared with them much about Mission and what we do for Missions in Uganda. I also talked about our community and the so many kids like them who lost their parents and lost hope. I said that; "These children live on streets and fight for food thrown in the trash every morning. They don't have hope of going to school because no one is there to help pay school fees for them. They have no place to call home and sleep in uncompleted buildings. Many have no clothes and shoes". I told the kids fellowship that they should always remember to pray for the children in our community who need help and support and kids around the world in a similar state.
The youth asked lots of questions and Jeff helped me to answer the them in a language they would understand.
The youth were amazed to learn how things are so different in Africa.
The kids pledged to pray for our community and i was amazed, when some of them were asked to close with prayer,and they prayed earnestly for me and the suffering children in our community.
Some children offered to send clothes and shoes to help the children in our community.
We are so grateful to you, all our friends that sending back clothes and gifts to the children in our community.
God bless you.
If you want to send any thing to the children in our community, please call Jeff and Whitney at:(580)-225-0719
Or write to: Jeff and Whitney Smith
1506 Cloud Nine
Elk city, Ok 73644
Email: whitney-123@hotmail.com

PAUL AND BLESSING GET BICYCLES!

Johnson on US trip:
Paul and Blessing; my kids, will possibly be the happiest when i return home from this trip. Gene and Linda offered to buy Paul and Blessing some gear bikes. Paul is 7 years and Blessing is 5 years. Paul is in Grade one and Blessing is still in Elementary school.
Paul's school is almost 3 miles away from home and there is a steep hill before you get to his school. With a gear bicycle, it will be so easy for Paul to get to school in time and to get back home easily after school.
The school has a room where they lock up all students bicycles for safety.
Paul used to admire the boys who come to school on bicycles, now his desire has been fulfilled.
I guess Blessing will be the happiest to receive her Bicycle. Before i left Uganda, she told me that "Dad, please bring for me a bicycle" I told her how impossible it was but she insisted that i make sure i come with one.
It is amazing how God honors even the prayers of young children. Her prayer has been answered.
Denise got me a baby doll for Precious who is 3 years, so she won't feel jealousy when her brother and sister go riding their bicycles.
I thank God for other friends like Vicky and Sarah who bought several gifts for my kids.
Thank you every one who donated school items and medicine for my family.
I am grateful to the United Methodist Church that donated lots of clothes for my kids.
Special thanks go to Jeff and Whitney, you mean much to me and family!
God bless you all.

JEFF PLAYS GOLF

Johnson on US stories:
Jeff likes to play golf, so last Monday he asked me to go with him to the golf club. In our country they play some golf but not as a big game as it is in the US. I had never taken interest so i did know what goes on in this game.
When we got to the golf course, Jeff pulled out a cart. This is like a small car that is driven through the pitch basically to carry the clubs and take you around "chasing" the ball.
What happens is that you have to hit the ball some distance towards a certain hole. The fewer but longer laps you hit the ball, the better for you because that means you get to the hole pretty fast. When you get close to the hole you hit it slightly, almost pushing it towards the hole and if it enters the hole, you have won and you try out another hole. There is always a flag planted in that hole just to direct you where to aim. There were 18 holes in this particular pitch. It takes hours before finishing all of them.
You can play alone and keep chasing your ball until you put it in that hole, but it is better when you do it as a group.
Jeff was playing with his friends Pat and Dan.
It was fun watching the three men hit the ball, some to a short distance and some to a long distance and then chase it and hit it again until they would land it in the hole. It was kind of funny but very interesting!
At one time Dan's ball disappeared in to the water and he gave up looking for it, good enough he had several balls, so he started where he had ended. At another time Jeff's ball disappeared in the grass. It took us several minutes to locate it.
It was dark before the three guys could go over all the 18 holes. So we went home. Jeff was so happy he played Golf that day.
Next time, i will try hitting that ball and chase it to at least 2 holes.