Julie in Remote Area of Africa

Julie is in a remote region of Africa where two villages are serviced by COTN. She has very little Internet access but wrote…


Hi, I have a quick minute of internet. Wanted to say Hi from Malawi:) Hope you and rest of family are doing well! I may try and get back online a little later in trip before i leave. Love you!


Love seeing my sponsor girl in Malawi again. She is 17! and so beautiful!


Last day of soccer with the Malawi girls. We had a soccer match between the two villages and it was intense!



More pictures from her last trip in 2008:

Cute!

Children helping the widows care for other younger children.

Hold me- Help me?



Village Women Graduate HIV/AIDS Prevention Course! 



The children of the villages.

GNAWING pangs of little food.

COTN members take excursion to buy chicken for dinner.

Some fun and Games!

Soccer!

At the end of a hard day- you gotta DANCE and SING!

If you can help me on my second mission trip, please, go to COTN and donate in my name. I will bring you back some more photos to reciprocate. In other words, I would like to invite you to be a part of my support team through prayerfully and financially supporting this effort. I need to raise $3,000 to cover my trip expenses. There are two ways you can help me reach this financial goal. The first is by donating either online at: Julie's Expenses or by check made payable to Children of the Nations, with my personal fundraising code on the check memo line (234471). Checks should be sent to: COTN-Venture Program, PO Box 3970, Silverdale, WA 98383. All investments in this ministry are tax-deductible.




Someone will win a T-Shirt that has a picture of the continent on it as well as the following text.

“The Warm Heart of Africa”

To qualify to win send a donation today and comment on this blog.

You can qualify to win other ways, too. If you guest host my African trip or your review a book inspired by my first trip entitled The Choice, you can qualify. Those detials are @ Try to WIN our CONTEST


Thanks for partnering with me on my return to Malawi!



James 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.



By the way, I am a college graduate and an environmental scientist. I currently work for a land trust that buys back and redevelops ruined natural lands in the USA. A life dream is to help with even more environmental issues including water plagues in Africa. Let see how this second mission goes before I grow into that next goal.



Do you think my story ends here?



Find out more about books I am a part of including - but not limited to- The Evans Terrace Girls and the S.H.E. Anthology. From that anthology, most of the proceeds help children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre through mental health agencies (New Hope for Kids) that deal with PTSD.



Come on buy to learn more @ Author Site and My mom’s eBook DownLoad page Inspired EBook list

Extended Family to Africa

 Julie narrates:

Arriving in Malawi, I saw this image in their soil!
The aberration appeared to be almost
the shape of the African continent.
I felt it was a sign from God
that good things were about to come my way.

Since my first visit to Malawi back in 2008; I go back in time remembering my newest family members.  I extended my kinship when I met the Suwedi family. 



They survive without much adult male influence.
The widows help each other with their children.

 




Without removing her from everything she knows,
I adopted one of their young girls named Ireen.

 

I supply her educational and personal needs with a stipend each month.



On our last day in Africa,
 COTN arranged a celebration
with the sponsored children
and their mentors.
Ireen posed with me.

 
 

As a result, I help the widows
including Ireens mom
raise their children.



After seeing the starving and unsponsored children 
outside the compound doors,
 I knew I had to spread the words
as well as return to Ireen's village people- someday.

 



Who can resist that smile?

 


On a wing and a prayer,

I left for my second journey to Africa

on June 21, 2013.





After a few delays, we arrived to my extended family's land.




I am here this time to not only spread
the Word of God
and to check in on Ireen
but to teach my favorite sport, Soccer.



Maybe, the village people can teach me 
how to sing and dance
no matter my circumstances in life.

I would like to invite you to be a part of my support team through prayerfully and financially supporting this effort. I need to raise $3,000 to cover my trip expenses. There are two ways you can help me reach this financial goal. The first is by donating either online at: Julie's page or by check made payable to Children of the Nations, with my personal fundraising code on the check memo line (234471). Checks should be sent to: COTN-Venture Program, PO Box 3970, Silverdale, WA 98383. All investments in this ministry are tax-deductible.

By the way, someone will win a T-Shirt that has a picture of the continent on it as well as the following text.

“The Warm Heart of Africa”

Come on buy to learn more at Author Pages under the contest tab (index).

Do you think my story ends here?

Find out more about books I am a part of including - but not limited to- The Evans Terrace Girls and the S.H.E. Anthology. From that anthology, most of the proceeds help children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre through mental health agencies (New Hope for Kids) that deal with PTSD.

You can find my books via AMAZON Page

and download eBooks @ SMASHWORDS Page



A Picture Says...

Julie writes:

Ten more Malawi, Africa facts with pictures follow….  The pictures are from my 2008 mission trip.

A soup company once bragged that “Simple pleasures are the best!” The struggling people in Malawi live that cliché. They are true champions of living life to the fullest.

This photo shows they are,
‘happy happy happy!”

Even though they live in quite ‘humble homes in comparison to most of us in the USA, they survive.

In their opinion, with all their AIDS deaths

and malnutrition or disease mortalities,

sometimes, all there is left to do is dance!

Better yet, sing while dancing.

They are cooking including in their version of kitchens!

They have little food

so what they have is not only finger licking good

but bowl licking too!

 It’s their version of bowling.

Somehow, they work it out; we did some chores with them.

The kids made anything they could their toys; their imagination was their only limitation.

They loved to play with our sunglasses including mine.

 
If you can help me on my second mission trip, please, go to COTN and donate in my name. I will bring you back some more photos to reciprocate. In other words, I would like to invite you to be a part of my support team through prayerfully and financially supporting this effort. I need to raise $3,000 to cover my trip expenses. There are two ways you can help me reach this financial goal. The first is by donating either online at: Julie's FUNds or by check made payable to Children of the Nations, with my personal fundraising code on the check memo line (234471). Checks should be sent to: COTN-Venture Program, PO Box 3970, Silverdale, WA 98383. All investments in this ministry are tax-deductible.



By the way, someone will win a T-Shirt that has a picture of the continent on it as well as the following text.

“The Warm Heart of Africa”

To qualify to win send a donation today and comment on this blog.

You can qualify to win other ways, too. If you guest host my African trip or your review a book inspired by my first trip entitled The Choice, you can qualify. Those details are @ Contest 1



Thanks for partnering with me on my return to Malawi!



James 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.



By the way, I am a college graduate and an environmental scientist. I currently work for a land trust that buys back and redevelops ruined natural lands in the USA. A life dream is to help with even more environmental issues including water plagues in Africa. Let see how this second mission goes before I grow into that next goal.



Do you think my story ends here?



Find out more about books I am a part of including - but not limited to- The Evans Terrace Girls and the S.H.E. Anthology. From that anthology, most of the proceeds help children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre through mental health agencies (New Hope for Kids) that deal with PTSD.



Come on buy to learn more @ My mom's main book pageand My mom’s eBook DownLoad page At Smashwords

Preparing for Africa

As you know,  Julie is heading back to Malawi for a two week soccer-mission trip at the end of June 2013.

In her words:

The first time I went to Malawi was back in 2008; I met the Suwedi family and a young girl named Ireen. Since going to Africa the first time, I’ve done some things to help the folks in that country. The following are some other things I got involved with between 2008 and my next or second trip at the end of this month 2013.


1. I send a stipend to COTN to supply education and essential needs to a young girl named Ireen.

2. I’ve helped collect and repackage hygiene packs. I placed things such as shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other things in Ziplocs with one set of products for each plastic pouch. Those bags were shipped to Africa for healthier and cleaner living.

3. I’ve collected and sorted soccer apparel so that village teams could feel more unified wearing at the very least the same colored uniforms as they played.

4. I’ve had a sharing night inviting friends for dinner then feeding them African style. That is to say they had beans, water, and simple spoon bread. I did a slide presentation.

5. I enlarged my photos as art placing them in a local Christian café that supports African missionaries. Those art pieces are for sale.

6. I’ve funded mission friends that returned to help in Malawi, Africa.

7. I’ve prayed for causes related to the African plagues.

8. I’ve read more about their water problems as well as the other African plagues, and I'm learning about possible solutions.

9. I’ve joined US groups that do volunteer work here such as AmeriCorps for 2 years.

10. I’ve help locally mentoring a young girl from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America group.

11. I’ve decided to go back to Malawi, Africa to play soccer with the village youngsters while helping those teens become aware of the wonderful possibilities in life if you keep focused on your goals.

12. I’ve sent gifts to Ireen as well as toys and gently used clothes through COTN to Malawi villagers.

13. I’ve sponsored fund raisers not just for me but for COTN Charity Homepage
14. I’ve joined local groups caring for our earth such as Surfriders.

15. I’ve changed jobs working for a land trust that reclaims damaged lands in Florida and build local parks among other things.

16. I’ve run local projects with teens to do things such as eradication of invasive and foreign species that overtake natural vegetation.

17. I’ve donated to other good causes.



I hope to add to this list through my latest plans. Please, consider helping fund my 2013 trip back to Africa. I would like to invite you to be a part of my support team through prayerfully and financially supporting this effort. I need to raise $3,000 to cover my trip expenses. There are two ways you can help me reach this financial goal. The first is by donating either online at:

Julie @ COTN

or by check made payable to Children of the Nations, with my personal fundraising code on the check memo line (234471). Checks should be sent to: COTN-Venture Program, PO Box 3970, Silverdale, WA 98383. All investments in this ministry are tax-deductible.



Someone will win a T-Shirt that has a picture of the continent on it as well as the following text.

“The Warm Heart of Africa”


To qualify to win send a donation today and comment on this blog.

You can qualify to win other ways, too. If you guest host my African trip or your review a book inspired by my first trip entitled The Choice, you can qualify. Those details are @ T-shirt Contest


Thanks for partnering with me on my return to Malawi!



Do you think my story ends here?



Find out more about books I am a part of including - but not limited to- The Evans Terrace Girls and the S.H.E. Anthology. From that anthology, most of the proceeds help children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre through mental health agencies (New Hope for Kids) that deal with PTSD.



Come on buy to learn more @ Author Site and AMAZON Author Site
eBook site

Malawi - Africa

Julie's charitable facts and acts:


1. In 2008, I went to Africa the first time after my sister, Jenny, came back from her mission to Malawi describing her experience. Her stories stirred my spirit into action.


2. Before then, I’d watched TV documentaries and wondered why the people of this world couldn’t get medical interventions for that continent’s myriad of health issues. I read before my adventure learning that some of the taboos and other things inhibit that intervention. This pamphlets and books, also, helped me understand some apathy came from that land’s politics but I still wanted to help in some way. Malawi appeared to be a more open country to succeed in aid goals.

3. My sister described the poverty; children the mission sponsored had bowls to come eat. Due to supply verses demand, the rest remained outside hungry. That thought broke my heart. While there, I began sponsoring Ireen!

4. When we landed, I looked down seeing the dry earth forming an outline of that continent. It’s the last time I looked down because those poor people greeted us with song and dance finding joy in the moment. It’s contagious! That’s a good thing!

5. We helped with village chores including going to open air markets to buy a dinner for our sponsored families. In spite of their hunger, the people willing shared food including a cake that we primitively baked.

6. At the markets and at the widows craft area, I bought from locals hoping that they profited enough for one more meal- at the very least.

7. Due to their pandemic, we taught the teens about AIDS prevention; we met them in a ‘pseudo school’ building without a roof, doors, or windows.

8. Many men have died in that country; some of them from AIDS. Thus, our mission group did skits for the widows about AIDS avoidance.

9. The village kids loved to play and did more than children in the USA (who sit in front of TVs and computers calling it relaxation time). As a result, we played soccer, which I’ve done since age five.

10. I left but a part of me stayed behind in Africa. Thus, I sponsored other missionary friends when they did return trips ever since 2008. One year, my mom and II sorted and sent used soccer stuff I collected from team members; a missionary brought them with her to distribute.







Everything I witnessed in Africa led me to this second mission. The first time, I went with my sister’s organized church group. This time I’m going with a group of soccer girls through a different church agency. I hope to make connections and find the time to teach about AID prevention or other important life topics with those kids. They inspire me; I hope the feeling is mutual. Plus, I look forward to meeting the young lady I’ve sponsored- Ireen.



If you feel moved to do so you can donate to my mission; I need to raise $3000. Please, do your donation through the charitable fund so it will be tax deductible. (DO YOUR RESEARCH this site is BONAFIDE!) Here is the online and regular mail address:



Online at: COTN- My Page There


or by check made payable to



Children of the Nations,



with my personal fundraising code on the check memo line (234471).



Checks should be sent to:



COTN-Venture Program,

PO Box 3970,

Silverdale, WA 98383



God bless us all,



Julie Hanson


PS


There is a contest you can win a T-Shirt from African group, eBook or two inspired by my first trip (The Choice) or other eBooks as well as a paperback. Read more here: 3 CONTEST

African Mission

Hello,

I am Julie Hanson and related to the owner of this blogspot page.

I am writing to let my family and friends know I am heading back to Malawi for a two week soccer-mission trip at the end of June 2013. The first time I went to Malawi was back in 2008; I met the Suwedi family and a young girl named Ireen.



While there, I spent time with her family helping with chores such as fetching water, cleaning dishes, and baking a cake. I, also, was there to teach about AIDs; I saw firsthand how it impacted a family. Due to death, Ireen’s widow mother was raising her four children with the help of extended family and village friends. I learned about community and helping others. Their culture taught me that there is never a wrong time to dance, sing or find joy in life.



I ended up sponsoring Ireen which gives her the opportunity to go to school, get meals, and participate in medical treatment. I hope this gives that girl a chance for a better future and the skills to help her village and country.



I have found in travels that soccer is the international language, lucky for me. I am hoping soccer will allow me to connect with the children and give me the opportunity to share my faith and the gospel.



I would like to invite you to be a part of my support team through prayerfully and financially supporting this effort. I need to raise $3,000 to cover my trip expenses. There are two ways you can help me reach this financial goal. The first is by donating either online at:  My Index on COTN Site or by check made payable to Children of the Nations, with my personal fundraising code on the check memo line (234471). Checks should be sent to: COTN-Venture Program, PO Box 3970, Silverdale, WA 98383. All investments in this ministry are tax-deductible.



Someone will win a T-Shirt that has a picture of the continent on it as well as the following text.

“The Warm Heart of Africa”

To qualify to win send a donation today and comment on this blog.


You can, also, qualify to win two other ways. 
If you guest host my African trip on your blog
or you review a book inspired by my first trip entitled The Choice you could win the shirt.  Including a picture of the shirt, the full deatials  are @

Contest 1



Thanks for partnering with me on my return to Malawi!



James 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.



By the way, I am a college graduate and an environmental scientist. I currently work for a land trust that buys back and redevelops ruined natural lands in the USA. A life dream is to help with even more environmental issues including water plagues in Africa. Let see how this second mission goes before I grow into that next goal.



Do you think my story ends here?

Find out more about books I am a part of including - but not limited to- The Evans Terrace Girls and the S.H.E. Anthology.  From that anthology, most of the proceeds help children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre through mental health agencies (New Hope for Kids) that deal with PTSD.

Come on buy to learn more @ My mom's main book page  and Ebook DL page