A Collection of Favorite Stories

Stories are the fabric of our memories. Stories can bring us a range of emotions. In sharing share some of our favorite stories with you this week and next, we hope that you can step into the moments with us as if you had been there!

A memory for Dave Molzahn (ACT US Board member and Team Leader of the HANDS Program):

"In 2014, on my first trip to Muko, Uganda, I was really excited to be going, but apprehensive about what to expect. One of the normal activities for our US Travel Teams is to attend local church services on Sundays with one of the ACT staff or Volunteers. On the first Sunday we were there, our Travel Team arrived at the ACT Resource Center and were met by the people that would accompany us to different churches in the community. I was paired with Tukamushaba Moses, who, at the time was a Volunteer with the HANDS agriculture team. As Moses and I were waiting to leave for church, we stood, conversing, in front of the Center. People were passing by on their way to church and one person passing by came over to speak to Moses. Moses introduced me to this man, his Uncle Simeo. It is all a bit unclear now, but in an instant I received a great bear hug from this an and, if my feet did not leave the ground, it sure felt like they did. It turned out that Moses had shared with Simeo that I was his orphan grandson's school sponsor. His greeting was enthusiastic and unexpected to say the least, but it was also very welcoming. I am forever grateful for moment of joy such as these."

Sue Waechter vividly remembers:

"When Katie Brinklow was a Travel Team member in 2012, she had saved money toward a pair of Teva shoes to buy and take on the trip. When we got to the small village home of Alex, who was the Brinklow family's sponsored child, we also met Agnes, Alex's Aunt who was caring for him as his guardian. Agnes and Katie were close in age and visited a bit to get to know each other. In their conversation, Katie learned that Agnes had not married because she felt the obligation to care for Alex since both his parents were deceased. Katie noticed that Agnes did not have shoes on and asked her about it. Agnes had no shoes at that time that were in any condition to wear. Katie promptly took off her Teva's and gave them to Agnes. It was a moment. We shared tears of gratitude as Katie, barefoot, walked back to the van."

We hope you enjoyed our stories and we'll share more next week...

We would love to have you join us at one of our two 20th Anniversary Dinners! Midland, Friday, September 8th or Traverse City, Saturday, September 16th. Please email Sue Waechter for tickets ($35 each).

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