NEWSLETTER: March 2017

Another month full of adventures.

Greetings from Nebraska!!

As I was driving here, I came to the conclusion that I've never been in Nebraska before. But I can't say that anymore. It is wonderful to have friends in many places. It makes it super easy to visit all around for a big road trip.

Today as I looked back through pictures, I realized that at the beginning of the month, I was in California. And as I look forward, I'm less than four weeks from going to the airport to return to Uganda.

How did that happen?

I just know that the next few weeks will start to fly by but I will try to be intentional and enjoy moments each day until then. March has been filled with much adventure. As you can see from the map below, I've been on the road for a number of hours. It has been wonderful to visit friends and make new friends. It really makes me feel like I have homes all over the country. So many people have welcomed me into their home. So many people have blessed me with local adventures including: coffee shops, cafes, shows, outdoor exploring, and seemingly endless amounts of tasty delicious food.

[Above photo: chasing the sunset while driving across Kansas)

Hard to believe that at the beginning of the month I was in California traveling by Greyhound. 

Earlier this month, I finally had the chance to play in a tiny bit of snow...it was even in TN.

Here's a glimpse at how far I've made it on the midwest road trip. Still more than a few hours left to make it back to TN. 

At the first stop, my friends blessed me with the opportunity to see Moses at Sight and Sound. 

I spent 8 days at a retreat in Colorado. One day I spent the afternoon with the leaders' dog. 

Before leaving Colorado, new friends offered to treat me to the view at Pikes Peak. It was breath taking! And we drove to the top.

But the truth also involves the fact that the countdown is oh so close....if not already here. In less than four weeks, I'll be on a plane for the journey back to Kampala.

Please pray for fabulous memories to continue over the next few weeks. Pray that all the travel in between those moments will continue to be safe and without issues. Pray for wise decisions through packing and that I wouldn't be overcome by materialism as I start the packing tetris. Pray for wisdom as I start to transition back into work later next month.

I am very thankful that I've been blessed with so much safety in the three months I've been in America. All the travel by bus, van, and planes has been safe. I'm thankful for each of you that has been so flexible with me as I work out the schedules and often change things.

Well, I'm off to do some of that intentional time with friends. (Yeah for the work day being over!)

-Katherine

One of the breath taking views at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The visibility was over 100 miles (160 km) that morning. 

NEWSLETTER: February 2017

Lots of travels and countless memories from February.

Well it is a day late.......

But that's ok. Right?

I've learned that I'm probably the only one that watches the date like a hawk on my newsletters.

So here it is on March 1st and let me tell you a little bit about February.

Looking through pictures to figure out some points of discussion, I realized that a lot has happened in February. At the beginning of the month, I was still in Colorado for a debrief with other missionaries from around the world. Immediately following that I had 6 formal presentations in 8 days across western and central Tennessee. And the last two weeks have been filled with travel throughout Texas and Colorado.

I've been blessed with reunions at each stop and overfilled with blessings. Friends in Texas introduced me to MOD pizza. And I strongly suggest you try it if/when a locations opens near you. Then my brother and I spent a long weekend exploring different areas of central Texas before I headed over to California. Here in California I have enjoyed great conversations with long time friends, meeting up with two friends I previously only knew in Africa, and of course the obligatory time at the beach.

It truly has been fabulous. Many memories have been made and I'm so thankful for everyone and everything.

If I haven't seen you yet, then please be in touch so we can figure out if my travels will bring me to your neck of the words. If we've already seen each other and need to do it again, then please let me know also.

I hope your days are filled with joy and blessings, laughter and smiles, and opportunities to live a missional life where God has placed you.

With a full heart,
Katherine


TOP PIC: from Anaheim, CA. A good symbol of how it seems to be downhill from here. I'm just over half through with my time in the states and then it is back to life in Uganda. 

Have enjoyed reading and getting some canine time.

MOD Pizza is a fabulous discovery!!

Did some sightseeing in Texas with my brother. =-)

OBK - round 2

Here's a message from the fabulous Gwen:

As you may know, our very own missionary Katherine Rowe is back in the states for a much-needed visit and time of renewal before she returns to Uganda in April.  She has been working with Africa Inland Missions (AIM) for the past 2 years, helping to bring the gospel of Jesus to unreached people groups in several African countries.  Along with visiting with her family and friends during this short time, she is also preparing (physically, mentally, spiritually, and monetarily) to return.  How hard it must be to be so far from loved ones!!

 

You may remember the first "Operation Bless Katherine" that was launched prior to her departure 2 years ago.  We collected letters, cards, notes, pictures, etc. from friends and family all over the country and gave a bag FULL to take with her and open as she saw need.  Some were for special occasions (birthdays, holidays, etc) and some for no reason at all other than to show our love and encouragement when she felt she needed it. 

 

The collection of love that she took with her was such a source of encouragement for her that she has requested we do it again!!

 

Please consider sending a letter, short note of encouragement, card, picture, portrait, or anything else you think may bring a smile to her face when she faces a hard day away from her friends and family in America.  Please keep in mind she will be packing them in her luggage, so unfortunately we must ask that you stick to notes etc and not actual gifts.

 

Please plan to have everything here by April 1 (Anything arriving in March could easily be hidden from her til closer to her packing date(s) as an added surprise!)

 

Send all correspondence to:

 

Gwen Goddard

1515 Robertson Ct

Clarksville, TN 37042

ATTN: Katherine Rowe (or OBK2)

 

I will NOT open anything with her ATTN on it, unless it's clear I'm supposed to. ;)

 

Thanks everyone for supporting Katherine and continuing to "hold the rope" for her as she goes out where God has called her!

 

Gwen

NEWSLETTER: January 2017

Somehow I've been in America nearly 6 weeks!

Where to begin???

It seems as so much has happened in the seemingly short time that I have been in America. However, when I reflect on my schedule, it seems quite the opposite!!!

I have visited people in Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Georgia, Alabama, and now I am in Colorado with time in Texas and California quickly approaching! I am so THANKFUL for the times I have had with some of you but still HOPING for many more memory making moments with many of you!!

Please do not hesitate to contact me so we can figure out a time to get together!! I would love to answer questions about my time in Africa, tell you stories, AND catch up on what is happening in YOUR life!

MUCH GRATEFULNESS:
-safe travels thus far. over 2,000 miles (3,218 km) on the road and a few flights.
-provision of a vehicle for my time in America!!!
-time to connect with friends
-flexibility you have in your schedules so we can get together
-hospitality all over. (one time within 7 nights, I had slept in 5 different beds)
-getting to see the beauty of the mountains in Colorado.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
-continuation of safe travels. lots of road miles to go and still some domestic flights
-ease of communication and clarification on what to share with different audiences. I really want to find words to describe things so you can get a glimpse of my world.
-time for myself to relax, work on to-do lists, and prepare for presentations and ideally organize photos because each one seems to tell its own story
-to let go of "work tasks". My mind still wanders to the office in Kampala and wonders about things that I would be doing if I was still there.
-grace between us. As we cross our lives again and reconnect. I've found after a two year technology relationship, things can be different live and in person.



The last six weeks have really gone by so fast!!! I shudder to think about the remaining time in America as if I will blink and it might be over. For me it is divided so much as I have delegated out my schedule. Please be understanding that I'm trying to do so much and see so many in just four months. I'm blessed to have so many people in my life and hopeful that we can get together!

Many blessings to you and your family as you navigate through the week!

-Katherine

Often on the road, in the van

(photo taken in parking lot, notice building & cars parked behind me)

Mention and Receive
A friend gave me a short ride after I mentioned I missed riding motorcycles so often

Adventure in Colorado
Hiking around Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs

NEWSLETTER: Jan. 2017 - in America

Some quick news for you.....






Ready to load the vehicle and go!



Moments before I boarded the first plane. 



Moments after boarding the last plane.

Guess what I did!!

Even with technology and especially facebook, sometimes I still feel behind on current news and happenings in America. But this time I finally had the upper hand.

I'm sure you can guess the news based on the pictures above.

But just in case you haven't had your coffee yet or you are having the afternoon sleepies, I will write it clear and simple.

I AM BACK IN AMERICA!!!

That's right!! That newsletter last week was written and sent while sitting at my mom's kitchen table in Tennessee.

Before I forget, I want to acknowledge and thank the few in America and those in Africa that sealed their lips and kept the secret. If you knew from the beginning or if you saw me at the airport and everyone that joined the plan in between, then know that I am so very thankful for any deceptive comments you made to make so many great moments happen.

If we haven't met yet then we need to soon because there are many more hugs to be had. And if we have already met then let's do it again!

Above: Beautiful, fabulous sunrise during the layover in Brussels.

With full arms (but room for more) and a happy heart,
Love from Clarksville, TN, USA

Katherine

Surprised the best friend from college.

Surprised the sweetest girls I know.

Surprised mom and walked in on Christmas.

NEWSLETTER: December 2016

CELEBRATE good times!

Fun filled times.

As I sat down to write this newsletter, I decided to use pictures to guide my thoughts. Sometimes I will have a topic or two in mind and just add some pictures for fun. This month, I realized that the fun was captured in pictures.

1. Friendsgiving: A group of us decided to have a friendsgiving instead of Thanksgiving. Only three countries are represented in the photo but a couple others missed the photo. We had quite the feast of food and desserts. This was also when I discovered how fun a selfie stick can truly be.

2. Christmas bazaar: The German ambassador hosts a German Christmas market and bazaar every year at the residence. There is even genuine German sausage which was so delicious. There were many unique crafts as well.

3. Christmas party [not pictured]: A group of ladies from church that meets twice a month had a Christmas party. This is the very group that I originally started attending and led me to my home church in Kampala. I found such joy in it as I knew if I was in America then I would be doing the same thing with a group of ladies from church. It was one of those moments that made my heart smile and me realize that I have made a home in Uganda. 

3. Love Feast: One weekend we had a Love Feast at church. It was one large celebration of everything! There was one large service outside under tents instead of two services. People dressed in their traditional dress from different areas of Uganda and brought much delicious food. Different groups at church did some presentations with singing and music. 

5. Uganda-versary: I flew to Uganda for the first time on Tuesday 17 November 2015. I was so excited to celebrate one year in Uganda with my friends. Unfortunately, I was otherwise occupied on that day. So we celebrated on 17 December. It was a fabulous time with lots of laughter and some sweet treats. The excited eyes are due to the fact that I was using a selfie stick to take that picture. 

6. Friends: I really am thankful for all the friends I have made in Uganda. I have been so blessed to connect with a variety of people. In this picture, the three of us each volunteer through three different organizations. 

And there is also the excitement and joy of Christmas! What a wonderful time to be with others and celebrate Christ being born!! Even without many "traditional" things leading up to Christmas, I was still in a very celebratory mood in recent weeks. My body has healed really well from the surgery I had in Kenya which was just 6 weeks ago. I do hope that you and your family have had a very merry Christmas with lots of memory making moments. 

Many blessings to you as 2016 comes to a close!

With love and gratitude for all you do,
Katherine

NEWSLETTER: November 2016

Nearly two years has flown by so its time for a little clean up before I am the one flying....

A little house keeping first.

Please bear with me through some house keeping. I know it is hardly enjoyable but it is necessary from time to time. As I hope you know already, I will be coming to America soon for Home Assignment. This is time for rest and renewal, time to connect with friends and family, and time for whatever else I can fit in between those. After this time, I will return to Uganda to continue serving in the same role as I am now. However, this is dependent upon the gracious and continuous support of many of you.

1. Please ensure that your information is current with AIM. If you have married or moved in the last two years, then please update your information. Let me know if you need help getting in touch with AIM for this.

Even during my time in the states, my finances will function just as they do when I am here in Uganda. So it is your faithful and gracious support that provides for my daily needs. Just as I had to have full support to come this time, I will need to have financial clearance again to return to Uganda.

2. Please also kindly inform me if you intend to continue or change your financial support. You can send me a quick email here to let me know about your intentions. I understand that circumstances within families and economies change and that you might need to stop or change or commitment. 

Have you joined in this journey after it started? Ever wondered about how far things have come since last year or since the first few weeks? Now you can easily revisit the old news by going to my blog.

3. Visit trackatherine.blogspot.com to go through my old newsletters and other ramblings. 

I think I have loaded them all there now. You can read the first one or one of the fun ones or one of the hard ones or any others. 

At the airport, heading to Kenya

Faithful canine friend while in Kenya

Monkey on the office compound

To Kenya …..and Beyond.

My Greetings come to you from Kampala this evening but less than a week ago I was in Kenya and in a few weeks I will be traveling to America for four months of hugs, fun, story telling, picture sharing, and more. 

A short recap about Kenya: Do you recall in the last newsletter that I mentioned I had some health concerns but that a way forward had been determined? Well that way forward was actually flying to Kenya for surgery. Everything went well beyond wonderful. Everything. From the host family to healing I was widely blessed in many ways. Many thanks over and over to you for your prayers during this time!!

And soon I will by flying to America.
For you this means that you need to LET ME KNOW if you want to get together for coffee, to meet your Bible study group, talk to your church, or something else. Most of February and March will be spent traveling and visiting people so let's start figuring out dates now.

For now...
I will continue to work at the office and try my best to focus on the daily tasks before me. We have two teams and others coming to our region early next year so there are many plans to finalize. Even though you don't know their name, please be in prayer for all these people that are where I was two years ago. They are saying their goodbyes and trying to balance excitement for what's to come with the bittersweet goodbyes. Please pray for us in the office as we prepare for them and that we are able to help the new people make the transition well.

I really look forward to seeing so many of you next year. I can never say it enough or find the right words to effectively communicate my gratitude for all you do for me. I know being here is only possible because of the faithful support both in prayer and through finances.

Grace and Peace to you and your family -

Katherine