Dear Friends,

Can you believe I have been home in the states for three months now, so many blessings in such a short time! YES, I became a grandmother on March 17, 2007. My daughter Kristine delivered a beautiful healthy baby boy named Ben Conner Bothwell. I was in the delivery room with her and have never before experienced such a wonderful miracle...my heart was flooded with joy, tears and love for my new grandson. Since then I have been asked by many, how can you leave and go back to South Africa now that your grandson is here? I can tell you, it will not be easy and I do not expect everyone to understand, but, it is because I love him so much and know he has parents and family that will love him unconditionally and protect him. This is why I am able to return, not every child is that fortunate. (see attached picture of precious baby Conner)

Great things have been happening; Recently Ellen Moriarty, a local artist and good friend of Our Journey donated an original framed, matted and signed piece of art. It was specifically painted for Our Journey for our informational booth during the local St Patrick's Day Parade . She also donated a limited number of matted and signed prints of this piece. Thanks to Ellen we were able to raise a good amount of money. We still have a limited supply of her framed and matted signed prints available, please contact me if you are interested in purchasing one. Framed and matted "prints" are $150.00 a apiece. (see picture of original oil painting below)

On that same day, neighbors and friends cleared some land for people to park during the parade, donations were accepted and we made over $500.00. We continue to be surrounded by angels!!!!

Recently we have been sharing Our Journey PowerPoint Presentations to local organizations. I spoke at Rotary Club of McIntosh County and they donated 2 boxes of children's school back packs, along with postage to mail them to me in South Africa. You can not imagine how much these back packs are needed, most children walk a very far distance to school. Last month we gave a presentation to the Darien Optimist Club and they have promised support. We will continue to speak at local churches to bring an awareness of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa.

Yesterday, we mailed over 20 boxes of children's clothing to the area in South Africa where I will be volunteering in June .. it was a sight to behold.... The Attic (non-profit thrift store) where I volunteer, sold us these clothes at a very reduced price and all the postage was paid by friends of Our Journey...Praise God!!!

Next week Our Journey will be mailing boxes of new children's shoes, baby quilts, and baby winter hats . The baby hats were hand made by a lady in Oregon, I do not know her, she is not even sure how she heard about Our Journey's web site. Thanks to all of you out there that are forwarding these journals on, more and more people are becoming involved in "Our" Journey.

Dick Gordon, the co-founder of Our Journey went to New Jersey two weeks ago to meet with Rosetta, a South African woman who is the Director of "Zimele" (the non profit organization that Our Journey will be partnering with in South Africa). Dick came home all pumped up about hearing her speak and sharing her mission and vision with him and others. We will share more about this exciting time in the April journal ...to be continued.>)

Much Love,
Maureen

www.ourjourneyinc.org