Back to my USA journey.
Being the guest speaker at the First United Methodist Church, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, was an honor. There were three services, and I told the story of Urukundo and our children in Rwanda at all three. It was great to renew a long-time friendship with Pastor Joleen Willis and her husband Pastor Randy Willis.
Photography is not the best. I do know the sharing was beneficial.
The welcome I received from the congregation and Pastor Willis warmed my heart. What a day it was!
Before traveling on to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joleen and her husband treated my driver, granddaughter Becki, and me to lunch.
The drive to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was to be one of the highlights of my travels, but the timing was either too early or too late for the beautiful fall foliage I had hoped to see. Well, maybe next time.
My driver to Pittsburgh was granddaughter Becki.
These are my daughter Patricia and her husband Dale’s grandchildren – and my great-grandchildren.
From left: Lucia, Joyce, and Dilly.
The great-grandchildren are typical kids of this generation. Video games or whatever.
Daughter Jacque and husband Sean hosted me for several days. It was great to spend quality time with my youngest daughter.
Their son Alex and I spent time together.
Jacque and Alex
Waverly team visit
A team from Waverly Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, visited Urukundo in 2016. We enjoyed getting together again.
Back row, from left: Jim Heinrich, Bill Vandivier, Bob Dove, Tawna Loutsenhizer, Ellen Guise, and John Wray.
Front row: Virginia Linn, me, Amy Dove, and Eleanor Chute Fisher. Eleanor edits Urukundo’s monthly newsletter. She does a great job. Thanks, Eleanor
My daughter Jacque (middle row, left) and grandson Alex (front row, left) accompanied me to the Waverly team dinner. Other Waverly friends attended as well. Our hosts at the dinner were Eleanor and her husband Tom Fisher.
A delicious potluck dinner was served as we shared memories and I answered questions.
Doctor time
Dr. Dorothy is one very special visit when I arrive in the USA. It isn’t for a yearly checkup; it is for a whenever checkup. Thank you, Dr. Dorothy.
A very special celebration
Oct. 25 is my daughter Barbara’s birthday. It was decided it was a good time to celebrate my upcoming 95th birthday with an open house in Pittsburgh. Barbara traveled from Williamsport to Pittsburgh to celebrate our birthdays together. We were blessed with both friends and family.
From left, Barbara, Patricia, me and Jacque. My three beautiful daughters.
Others celebrated with us.
Patricia’s family
Jacque’s family
Sue Herbst, an early childhood friend for Barb and a recent visitor to Urukundo Foundation, and Barb.
Pastor Susan Halverstadt, me, and her daughter Alexa
Marie Rossi, Tricia’s neighbor. She was the only person at the party older than I am.
Deep in serious conversation with friend Henry Bagg.
Rev. Gere Reist, left, a long-time colleague of my daughter Patricia, and his wife Betty, joined Patricia and her husband Dale to honor me at this birthday celebration.
The children helped me to blow out the candles.
With cake, hugs, and best wishes the celebration ended.
On the way home to Rwanda, we stopped in Reston, Virginia. to make contact with dear friends.
I made a last-minute visit to Mary Jackson's home in Reston Virginia. Mary and I experienced the volcano explosion in 2002 while on a mission trip together in Rwanda.
Then it was on to a lovely lunch served by Kathy Kelley, in the photo above, and Rosemary Welch just before I took off to go back home to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.
Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square
I was honored by an invitation to speak at the Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square. The club has donated many precious musical instruments to the music program at Urukundo Learning Center. Rotary President John Irwin personally brought the instruments to Urukundo when he visited in March 2025.
John delivered the instruments to Music Director Emanuel.
Great audience. Love the sign.” LOVE one another.” Love says it all.
An early birthcake for Mama. Celebrating Year 95 nearly completed. Still able to blow out candles.
I received a beautiful birthday bouquet along with the cake during my visit with the Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square.
Forest Hills Rotary and Rotary International presented Urukundo Learning Center with a sizable check to purchase desks and chairs for the new Urukundo Secondary School. Bob Dove, left, who has volunteered at Urukundo, and Forest Hills Rotary President Arron Thompson presented the check.