Kenya & Uganda

We've  been "on the move". The Webbs in Tanzania drove us the 5 hrs over bumpy, dusty, roads from Dodoma to Babati to visit with Ben & Kelli Shular and their two boys--Noah, 4 yrs and Jonah, 2 yrs. --Their main responsibilities are Country Development Director and over-seeing the work at Aldersgate School. While our time with them was brief they were very warm and welcoming. We enjoyed a special time of worship with them on Sunday and some wild game roast for Sunday dinner (Wildebeast & Grant Gazelle that Ben had hunted there)...Very Good!! A driver picked us up in the afternoon to drive us the next 2 hrs to Arusha where we spent the night in a "rustic hotel" and left the next morning from the Kilimanjaro Airport which was about another 1 1/2 hours drive (but did not get to see the mountain). The agent there seemed to feel it was her duty to give us a very hard time about checking in our baggage (very frustrating!!) and we ended up having to pay $120 in fees!!  We flew from there to Niarobi where we had a lay-over and met an agent to take us to the Cote d'Ivoire Consulate to get our visa for that country for the end of our trip (another story for another time). The city was HUGE--felt like New York City...with traffic as bad... Really surprised me!! Things went amazingly smooth with the visa and we got back and checked in early for the next leg of our flight. This agent was very nice and even let us check in one more bag! Guess we checked in too early as just as we were boarding for Kisumu Art was called to check with the agent--(bad news)--it seems the extra bag we were allowed to check in got sent out with an earlier flight going in the opposite direction :(  BUT...(good news)...the baggage supervisor caught the error and had it coming on a flight to Kisumu that would arrive 1/2 hr after we did! :)  We finally arrived at KIST (Kima International School of Theology) about 7:30 pm and were a bit weary from the day's travels starting at 5 am.  A group from the Shartel  Church of God in Oklahoma City had been there for several days and we found out to our delight that SueJo Good was leading the team. She and her now deceased husband (Ken) had been missionaries there and 3 or 4 other places before they retired. We got to take pictures "AT the EQUATOR" and visit with the other missionaries here and there, between their duties, (Rod & Jan Dormer--Principal and Teachers; Ernie and Laurie Nicholas--Overseer of the Scholarship Funding, Campus Nurse and Teachers; and The Baylors--David & Bonnie and their two boys Joshua-13 yrs and Michael-7 yrs--Finances, Hospitality and Teaching). We also attended a chapel service and one of the mentoring group of students that were talking about what "excellence" means and how it is exhibited in the Christian walk. A very interesting discussion in light of the varied ages and cultural backgrounds represented there. Art was in constant meetings. I also walked the grounds and strolled through the cemetery and was struck with awe as I looked at the names--even a whole family--that gave the ultimate sacrifice--their very lives--to minister there.  One of David Livingstone's children is buried there along with some other unmarked graves... I felt as if I was standing on holy ground! Oh Lord, if we can only be so faithful--no matter the cost!
From KIST Rod and Jan Dormer drove us the 6 hours to Kampala, Uganda as Jan and Rod had some consulting they were going to do with Heritage International School so it worked out perfectly for us to ride with them. When we got to the Kenya/Uganda border, it was quite the scene--"shagalabagala"!! --(My new favorite Swahili word which means chaotic, disorganized.)--But, we made it through in only a half hour with the help of a very good agent--otherwise I'm sure we would have been there for hours!  Amazingly our Google map gave us very good directions to the Stevenson's (plus a few phone calls to be sure we were on course). We met 3 Canadians that had been with the Stevensons for several days--working with the Canadian child sponsorship program. They left and another group of young people from Germany arrived. I've been especially moved by the T.A.P.P. ministry the Stevensons started here 5 years ago (Tumaini Aids Prevention Program). It has just exploded! The program is aimed at women and children that are HIV positive and/or have AIDS. Most are women with 2-5 children that either their husband has died or just abandoned them and the family has rejected them--sometimes even abused them in horrible ways and then thrown them out like trash! They have nowhere to go and no means of income! So sad to hear their stories and see how/where they are living and trying to eek out a living. The TAPP program is helping the women to be trained to make a living--from bead/jewelry making to tailoring programs to candle-making, etc.  Whatever each community sees as their need...plus  they network with them to find medical and social service agencies to meet their needs along with Bible studies, support groups, and finding sponsors for their children to go to school, etc. WOW!! They have at least 45 locations where groups are meeting and other places crying out for help! As you can tell, I could go on and on and this is just one aspect of what's happening in Uganda.  Pray! The needs are great!

Safari and More

We did go on Safari at the Mikumi Animal Reserve and had a wonderful time! The day we arrived we went on an afternoon animal drive, saw some nocturnal animals while at supper and then went for an early morning drive. Between the two we saw a lot--herds of Impala, Cape Buffalo, Wildebeasts, Zebras, and Elephants, quite a few Warthogs, Reedbucks, Bushbucks, Giraffe, a pond of 8 Hippos that gave us quite a show--bobbing up and down in the water and sometimes opening their mouth and making their grunting noise, some crocodile, 4 female Lions which we got to within about 15 feet of (my heart was racing! We were in an open safari vehicle!!), a Leopard that ran across the road in front of us, a Black-backed Jackal, a Verivert Monkey, whole flock of Crested Guineau Fowl, several different kinds of birds that we thought we identified from our guide and several we didn't, some Eland and the night creatures were Bush Babies (between a squirrel and a monkey), a Honey Badger, a Pot Rat (HUGE rat), and a couple Genet Cats. Our guide said we must be people of God because we saw so much on just two drives and actually got to see a Leopard, which is rare... Art was like an excited kid at the zoo for the first time. (However, a zoo will never be the same for us).  :)  Our quarters couldn't have been more perfect--a huge tent on stilts--complete with wood floors, flush toilet and shower! This was all under a thatched roof with a wrap-around porch that had chairs to sit out and overlook the game park. Now I could camp like this!! :)  Pictures will have to come later as we are having "technical difficulties".  :(
We had about a 5 hr ride from the park to Dodoma where we've spent the rest of the week in the Webb's home.   We have had a blessed time as each day we would go to visit in different pastor's homes and pray for the needs and concerns on their hearts. It was heart-warming to meet these men and women of God, to hear their stories and concerns then to pray with them. They were always so welcoming, gracious, and had encouraging words for all of us. We were humbled and blessed. It was obvious they loved the Webbs too. We also met the students in the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) and were encouraged to see the dedication of these students and hear how they are putting their education into practice. We feel so blessed to have been touched by each person.

Arrived in Tanzania

We got up at 4 am to head to Lilongwe, Malawi (4 hr drive) and then catch our plane to Dar Esalam, Tanzania where we arrived at 2 am. in the morning. Mike met us at the airport in the wee hours of the morning. Today we slept in a little and then ate lunch at a lovely place on the Indian Ocean. We are currently with the Webbs--Mike, Heather and ten-month old, Madalyn. Tomorrow we'll drive 3 hrs towards "home" and stop by a game reserve for a day's safari--on our way back to their place Dodoma, Tanzania.  Also below is a picture of a typical art-form called "Tingatinga"(we saw on the wheel cover of a vehicle). Hopefully we'll be able to say we've actually "seen" these animals after tomorrow!

High Tea and Luggage

Malawi Church of God Logo

We've had a couple of good days--Monday we were finally able to retrieve our two missing pieces of luggage! PTL! Tuesday we ran some errands, met some of Tammie's friends and visited the recently purchased property where the Church of God is building a training center on about 7 acres.  So far they have a well with hand pump, a very nice bricked 3-hole latrine, and an almost completed house where the overseer of the property will live. In addition to this, there's a temporary thatched house for the guard and a temporary thatched roofed area that a new  church group is meeting under.  The last workteam that was here also planted an area with Mango, Avacado, Papaya, Guava, Orange, Lemon and Lime trees.

Church Shelter/Guard House

Latrine

House for Property Manager

There's a master plan for the property for classrooms, church and dormitory, road with a bridge over a small ravine, etc. but building can only be done as funds are received.  The next project is the road and bridge for accessing the property as they have been borrowing a passage-way through someone's garden and soon it will be time to plant again...

The "Lodge"
After looking over the property we headed off to the Satemwa Tea-Coffee Plantation about 20 miles out in the middle of hundreds, if not thousands of acres of one coffee or tea field after the other. It was a beautiful ride through the rolling hills of various shades of green. We passed a grove of Macadamia Nut trees too. We arrived at the "lodge for "high tea" about noon and it was like 

Three for Tea (Art, Suetta, Tammie)

One garden area/pool

Tea field

something out of an old novel or movie...our three plush chairs and a coffee table were set out on the lawn under an umbrella with another umbrella-ed table nearby that had our finger sandwiches, scones, and "biscuits" ? , jam, marmalade and clotted cream AND, of course, a couple pots of tea. To top it off there was a lovely (and very yummy) chocolate cake with a fresh flower atop it. A most relaxing and beautiful setting (except for the tea fleas). We looked in some of the rooms they offer for over-night guests and they were done elegantly with mosiquito-net drapped poster beds, sitting areas with fireplace, footed tubs (one bathroom even had a fireplace) and delightfully attentive servers. A real get-away place to relax! Then we came back to reality and drove home--stopping on the way at a quaint little coffee shop where we watched the woman actually roasting the coffee and making "blends". She also had macadamia nuts and dried fruits. Art and Tammie had a cup of her fresh roasted coffee and I inhaled the wonderful aroma. It was a wonderful day!

Sunday -- A Blessed Day Indeed!

Downed tree

We got a very early start--leaving the house at 6 am for our 5 hr. trip. Our vehicle was loaded. There were 11 people plus the personal belongings of the 8 that had been at the pastor training for 2 weeks.   We dropped off one pastor on the way and then visited the congregations of two other pastors that were "kind of on our way" for a "quick hello" and to bring greetings to their congregations. We were treated with warm welcomes--singing and dancing, handshakes and smiles. Then we were finally on our way to our destination--Nsanje--where the roads kept narrowing and getting rougher as we neared this southern mountain village. We were within about 30 min. of being at the village when we encountered a huge tree that had fallen across the road. We were able to clear a path--chopping down a small tree and clearing away brush just wide enough for the vehicle to pass (up around to the left in the picture).

We were a little late getting there but found members from several "area" Church of Gods (some coming from as far as 50 kilometers--31 miles--on foot) as well as some other denominations in the local area, all singing and waiting under a HUGE Mango tree. We were seated at the front (in chairs) and greeted with everyone coming by to shake our hands and/or curtsey.
Then they took their seats on the ground around the base of the tree and the sloping hillside. During the introductions we were told we were the first white people to ever put foot in their village. [Wow! Kind of makes one feel like a "pioneer"--making a road where there isn't one--setting foot where "one of our kind" never has been... :)]

Prayer time

Some choirs sang and then Art shared a message that was translated by a delightful young man, Emmanuel, then a time of prayer for various needs.

Art preaching, Emmanuel translating

"Shaker" - Instrument

Again we were greeted again by adults and children alike, all filing by with a handshake/curtsey, then fed a meal and were on our way back to Tammie's home in Blantyre. There were some men working on the big tree across the road when we came back through and wish you could have seen the looks on their faces when we just went up and around on the path we had cut earlier in the day. ! ? :)  As we all chatted in the vehicle going home, we all agreed, it was a VERY GOOD day and we all were VERY BLESSED by the day!

Guitar

First Day in Malawi

Suetta with Missionary, Tammie Tregellas

Today we spent with Tammie and 20 pastors at the last day of a two-week training  They are the Regional, District and National leaders. This time of training is a time not only for learning and discussing about theology and the Bible but also family and relationship issues. We were very encouraged and blessed to hear their vision and plans for the church throughout the country of Malawi. They were a great group with 18 men and 2 women present. Art brought greetings and during their worship time they had the speaker share in English so we would understand and a fellow pastor translate in one of their five major dialects, Chichewa for them! How thoughtful! And that just seems to be the spirit of this group. Tomorrow we will spend some time in a couple of villages and this week we will see the property they have purchased to build a training center and where building is already underway.

Landed in Africa

We've had a long travel day and at this writing we are sitting in the airport in Lilongwe, Malawi with a 4 hr layover and then just one more hour on a plane to our destination--Blantyre. We are two suitcases lighter :(   Our large suitcase with all the goodies for the missionaries and Suetta's personal suitcase did not make it to this destination--however we know they are on this continent and hopefully will show up in a day or two... Pray! We are 7 hours ahead of you in the US (EST) so we've had a looong day with very little sleep.

On Our Way

We are in the airport awaiting our 13 hour flight to Ethiopia where we will then catch another 4 hour flight to Malawi with another 1 hr flight after that and then Tammie Tregellas will pick us up. There will be some layover time too which will probably make it close to 24 hrs  of travel time. Please do keep us in your prayers and "stay tuned'...

The Lions are HUGE!!

This is "Art being Art..." You've heard the saying, "He's got the tiger by the tail"... Well this is "Art's version" of that... (it's not real--but would it surprise you  if it were?)
At this posting he's on the third leg of his 24 hr journey home -- Babati, Tanzania to Kisumu to Nairobi, Kenya to Kilimanjaro, to Amsterdam then Detroit, MI and finally Erie, PA. I'll meet up with him in Detroit tomorrow (7/29) between 11a-noon and we'll be on the same flight (sitting next to each other) from there to Erie and then we'll find our way home. "Stay tuned" for more adventures...

Children of Promise sign in Babati, Tanzania.  There are 845 children sponsored here and it is the largest of the all the Children of Promise programs in the world.

Art and Bob Edwards, Director of Global Missions have been in Tanzania this week, meeting with National Leaders of the Church of God. Meetings went well and Art ran into Eliazer Mdobi, a former National Leader of the Church of God and an alum of Warner University!  

Beginning our Africa Adventure - July 2011

Art arrived in Africa July 18th with Bob Edwards, the Director of Global Missions for the Church of God, and will be attending the Board meetings for KIST (Kima International School of Theology) and their graduation of this year's students.  While there, they will also be meeting with the missionaries on the ground and national leaders and then traveling to Tanzania to do the same.
There have been "technical challenges" with Art's phone and email service and this is the only picture he's been able to get out to me. So, when more is available, I'll update you. (Technology is great WHEN it works!)
We will continue to live in Lake Wales, FL and Art will "commute" to Africa as needed. We anticipate he will make 3-4 more trips to Africa this year and I (Suetta) hope to be on the next one with him when he plans to visit each of the 7 countries where we have missionary presence.
Please be praying with and for us as we need God's wisdom and insight as we "fill-in" for Global Missions while they seek a Regional Coordinator for Africa this next year.

Our Next Step

Wanted everyone to know what we will be doing next... See the announcement below and keep us in your prayers.

Art & Suetta

------Original Message------
From: Bob Edwards
To: AClawson
To: Suetta Clawson
Subject:
Sent: Jun 15, 2011 5:12 PM
Announcement of the appointment of Art Clawson as Africa Liaison

Dear colleagues in Africa,

I am pleased to announce to you the appointment of Art Clawson as Africa Liaison. This is a newly created position as we continue to search for the right couple for the Regional Coordinator for Africa. Art will be under contract with Global Missions of Church of God Ministries. This will be a one year commitment that will begin August 1, 2011, and will have specific tasks to do on the continent. He will be reporting directly to my office. The tasks will be similar to that of the RC, and he will have the same authority as the RC, but will have a more relational aspect to it. He will be visiting all of the Church of God missionaries in Africa at least one time during that period. Art will continue to live in Florida as he makes specific visits to Africa.

Art has a long and distinguished background in missions, and education. He is a graduate of Warner University and has a Master of Science and an Education Specialist Degree both from Florida State University. He has worked for many years as Director of Health Education at Florida State, and as Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Rural Health at the school. Art served as the Vice President for Advancement at Warner University, before being called to be the Interim Director of H.E.A.R.T. Missionary Training Institute at Lake Wales, FL. Perhaps more important to you is that he and his wife, Suetta, were missionaries with the Missionary Board of the Church of God in Haiti from 1986 – 1991 working as Community Development Directors.

Most recently Art has been working with the Church of God Disaster Relief Committee (DRC) in the relief efforts for the devastation that took place in the Haiti earthquake. In fact, he continues to be under contract with the DRC, until he takes up this new ministry in August of this year. Art is one of those rare finds that we are so pleased to come into association with. I am sure that you will find in Art an open ear and a desire to understand your ministries and challenges.
His e-address is
art.clawson@comcast.net

Sincerely,
Bob Edwards
Director, Global Missions
Church of God Ministries
(765) 208-1062 (Cell)
bedwards@chog.org

Home from Haiti

Hey Family and Friends,  It is true.  I am home after an amazing 10 months of relief work in Haiti. God has done some truly amazing things.  My heartfelt thanks to my Haitian Brothers and Sisters that I was privileged to work with and to those whose families we were able to help.  This was the toughest and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  I am forever grateful to all of you who have prayed and helped in any way you can both here and in Haiti.  I am blessed to be home with my incredible wife who, next to the Lord, has been my greatest help and source of encouragement through all of this.  There is a tremendous amount of hope in Haiti through the way the Lord has worked this past year and with the recent inauguration of the new President, Michel Martelly.  Pray for President Martelly and our Haitian Brothers and Sisters as there are still huge mountains to climb and lots of families to be reached.  Thank all of you so much for all of your prayers and the numerous ways you have supported us through this amazing adventure.  Suetta and I are blessed.  God Bless, Art

Drs. Duncan and Myricks in Haiti

Dr. Ron Duncan, General Director of Church of God Ministries and Dr. Chuck Myricks, Chief Operating and Development Officer of the National Association of the Church of God came to Haiti to meet with the National Church of God leaders, see the work that has been accomplished, and thank all of those who have truly worked together in this Kingdom effort of helping build homes for families that have lost their homes in the devasting earthquake of January 12, 2010.

CBH Taping in Haiti

Jim Lyon and John Walters from Christians Broadcasting Hope spent the past week (May 9-13) in Haiti seeing the devastation and interviewing people for upcoming segments of the English-speaking CBH broadcasts.  Pastor Jean Marie and Art were just two of the persons they talked to.  "Stay tuned"... :)

Political Update

Michel Martelly was inaugurated as the President of Haiti on May 14th. During his inauguration the electricity went off in the legislative chambers where his inauguration was taking place.  (That could be a "sign" OR it just could be the "usual happenings" of a day in Haiti).  :)  Anyway, the people of Haiti are excited for the change and are eager for President Martelly to bring about positive change.  He has no legislative experience and we need to pray for him.  I believe Haiti is at a historic crossroads.  The international community is ready and willing to help rebuild Haiti  but it will not happen with the status-quo.  Pray that President Martelly will seek God, hear Him and then follow Him regardless of what the pressures are on him.  2 Chronicles 7:14-15.

Memorable Anniversary-April 2011

Art and I spent our 38th Anniversary together in Haiti -- GPS-ing some of the cement block homes built in remote places in the southern pennisula. We traveled over some VERY ROUGH "roads" and I felt like either the truck or myself--or possibly both would shake apart!! One remote place we traveled to we came to the end of the "road" at a river--the water was low and we proceeded across to the other side, but there was no "road/path" in sight. We were instructed by the pastor with us to drive down the riverbed a ways and so we did until we saw a little path that went up the mountain before us... I was skeptical that it was wide enough for the pickup truck we were in, but the Haitian pastor seemed confident that we would be fine. It was the "bare side of a rough mountain"--nothing graded--just the vegetation cut away barely enough for us to pass through. What a ride!! We traveled up and down and around 3-4 mountains. I think we saw them from all sides and all the way around as well as up and down!! We rode for about 2 hours on a "road" like this until we reached the pastor's house!! This pastor was a tiny man--about my height. He had a toothless smile from ear to ear and exuded the joy of the Lord! His house and church had been destroyed in the earthquake and he was so excited for us to see where and what he had built. The DRC had helped him rebuild a block home and he had managed to get "something" up to worship in--woven sticks.  I asked him how many people worshipped there on Sunday and to my shock he said "250-300"!! I turned around in a circle and asked, "Where do the people come from? I don't see anyone else in sight ANYWHERE??!! He just smiled and said, "They come."  It was a very humbling experience and I felt a bit like we must be "standing on holy ground"... I had to admire this pastor and just ask God to bless this little man's efforts to share Jesus in this remote location. What a mission field he has!! 

(Left to Right) Pastor Hercule, who heads up all the pastors of the Church of God in the southern part of Haiti, Art, and the pastor I described above, standing in front of his church.

One of the block homes

Texas Team - April 14-21, 2011

Texas Team and Haitian Team

Fifteen people from 3 different churches in Texas arrived April 14th to finish off the preparation for stuccoing houses in the village of Prospere. The week went well and the village work day ended at noon on the 20th with Pastor Don Bergstrom leading in a foot washing service. Each of the Haitian team members and Prospere's Pastor Fancois & his wife had their feet washed by the American team and vice versa. It was a great closing for the last work team to this village. All were blessed!




Preparation for stuccoing





Texas Team Singing at Prospere Church on Sunday



Maryland Team - March 31-April 8

Eleven members from the Federalsburg area arrived safe and sound after delays with each of their flights.  Praise God that all of the luggage came through (no little miracle). They have been continuing the work of prepping houses in the village of Prospere for stucco which will increase the longevity of the wooden structures put up by other teams by about 15-20 years. Below are some pitures...


Group Singing in Church Sunday



Pastor Peter Smith preaching



Preparing firring strips





Mixing cement



Prepping the house with tar paper





End of the week with the Haitian Team



Spring Break-Care Center Lake Wales, FL Group

A group comprised of 6 students and 1 staff person from Warner Univ., 4 Lake Wales Rotarians, a Youth Pastor from Lakeland, FL, 2 persons from Mt. Sterling, KY and myself (Suetta) are going to Haiti March 12-18.  The Care Center coordinated group will be going to Calabasse to the House of Blessing Orphanage for 2 nights (many in our local community and Rotary have supported HOB in various ways over the years) and then to the village of Prospere for the rest of the time to work on stuccoing houses there. I won't have access to a computer until I return so will give a report then.  Keep us in your prayers.  THANKS!              

WE'RE BACK!   It was a great time!  We were able to prep 6 homes to be stuccoed, interact with the people of Prospere and get to know the Haitian work-crew. We even got to observe the clinic that happens there twice a week, play with the children at recess and after school and help one of the village ladies sort her beans for market. Everyone was enriched by the experience.

Below a couple more pictures of preping the houses for stucco and sorting beans.

Goshen, IN Group - February 17-24

Still stuccoing in Prospere...

 The Goshen group is alive, well and actively at work in the village of Prospere. They are getting houses ready to stucco and working with our Haitian team applying the stucco to the homes. Michele, a senior nursing student, is spending today in the clinic with John Ackerman.





Steve getting ready to lead Troy, Michele, Bruice & Joel
on a morning hike part way up the mountain.