Jeanette's Mission

  SUNGLASSES - making some pretty cool Kindergarten kids, eh?! Every year, VOH Africa does a Christmas Campaign, where sponsors and donors contribute to give a special package of fun things for the children to enjoy.  Over the last couple of months, Christmas packages were made up and distributed to every VOH child. Christmas brings joy any time of year!   I was part of the distribution here in Tanzania. We gathered under the mango tree and the excitement began! It was SO much fun... just to see the joy on the children's faces as they peaked inside their bags and saw what was for them. It reminded me of when my son, Daniel, and my 2 nieces, used to peak into their Christmas stockings and see the surprises inside. The contents were customized by age group and were both practical and fun. Things like ... a water bottle, school exercise books, mathematical sets, a ruler, pencil crayons, a tennis ball, a toy car, a tracksuit, socks and for the younger ones, sunglasses! C...

                                                                            Chapel time at VOH Tanzania Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week at VOH. It's when the children gather for discipleship class. It always makes my day when I'm working at my desk and hear the children's singing fill the air. Even though they are gathering at the on-location chapel which is probably 300 feet or more away, their voices are loud, full of rhythm and full of joy. Every month we have a joint chapel with VOH staff and the children. As I joined this month, first we sang action songs, where the children danced as they sang, "we talk with Him, we walk Him ..." I laughed as the children walked around bumping into each other as they sang. Then the pace slowed down. The children started to sing songs of praise and wo...

  Happy New Year! A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on what 2025 will hold, and was thinking about what should be my focus in the months ahead. I found myself talking to God, telling Him I don't want this to "business as usual". I thought about Christmas and the anticipation we often have about a family member or friend opening that special gift you bought with just them in mind, or the wonder in a child's eyes on Christmas Eve, and it dawned on me ....   I want this to be a year of excitement and anticipation. I've been working alongside VOH Africa now for almost 6 years and lived in Tanzania long enough now that I'm familiar with the mission and know my way around. So, it's possible things could become routine, or worse, boring. For those of you who know me well, you know I don't want that! I want the excitement of a child on Christmas Eve and the anticipation of what is about to happen. As I prayed about this, suddenly I fell upon Roman 12:11, in a ...

 I can’t tell you every activity or program we did at VOH in the last 12 months in this update – it needs a whole book for that! But, I can give you a few examples that helped so many children in real and life changing ways. Following is one picture from each of our 10 centers with a brief description for each. As you scan through them - note the wide variety of ways we pour into children's lives and be blessed knowing  your support, prayers and encouragement helped made it possible! Let's countdown from 10 to 1. Here we go ... ready? 10. VOH BWIZA (Burundi)  Several children did a traditional dance at our school year-end ceremony. In addition to academics in school, exploring their talent, like dancing, help the children to build their confidence and grow socially together. 9. VOH MARAMVYA (Burundi) In an effort to promote sports and physical activity for the VOH children and community, we started to build a football field on our premises this year. It's fun for the chil...

  As you enter into Thanksgiving weekend (wish I was there!), I wanted to take a moment to let you know how much of a blessing you are to me and how grateful I am to have you in my life. Your thoughts, prayers, encouragement and support mean so much as I continue on this mission with VOH Africa to impact the lives of children here in Tanzania and in the other African countries in which we serve. You're a blessing not just to the children but to me personally as well. It really makes a difference knowing you care and lift me up in prayer. As you enjoy some turkey and pumpkin pie this weekend, please know someone on the other side of the world is thankful for you today!   Jeanette

I can't believe it's 3 years ago this month that I moved to Tanzania! What an incredible journey. I'm so humbled that I found VOH Africa, and they found me.   The "honeymoon period" is long over, but I continue to be amazed by the work God is doing in the lives of thousands of children in need, through the work of VOHA. I trust my contribution is part of that.  I can't put into words all we are doing, so I thought, on this 3 year anniversary, I would do a video recap of the main ways we minister to the children and give a brief update of the past year. It's a little bit longer of a video, but I hope you will take the 4-5 minutes to watch it, pray for the children as you do. Thanks so much for you ongoing support, thoughts & prayers! Through them, you are part of it too! Enjoy!