Our two weeks with Dave and Candice Talbot have been a rich and rewarding journey into a world unknown to most Americans.  To witness God’s calling to this couple to assist some of the most disadvantaged people on this earth, and to be allowed to participate in their calling has been both an inspiration and a privilege.

Their work, however, has not been easy.  Packing, distributing, and fitting mobility devices (consisting of crutches, canes, walkers and wheel chairs) in the hot African sun and returning to non-air conditioned rooms without any assurance of hot water, showers, or electricity and avoiding mosquito's as much as possible, is challenging.  Consider this a mission, not a vacation.

We will never forget the young and old who, when we came were confined to crawling on the ground, but who are now standing on crutches or walkers, or are now transporting themselves in a wheelchair.

Yet we will never forget the 46 year old man who was so deformed by polio that his legs which were curled up under him, like useless sticks.  He had come for help, but because we had given out all of the wheelchairs that day, we could not help him.  We felt such grief as we lifted his body (which probably weighed no more than 75 pounds) back onto the motor scooter and paid the driver  to transport him back home.

Crutches 4 Africa has given us much more than we have given.  The sincere greeting of innocent little children, the “thumbs up” of those given greater mobility, the friendship of those Ugandans with whom we have been working – Julius, Daniel, Paul, his son David, George, Patrick and Pastor Ruth – have more than paid for this experience.

It would be difficult to find a mission that has such a profound impact on the lives of disabled individuals as Crutches 4 Africa.  As we now head home, our task is to help communicate this impact to our fellow Americans.

David & Jeanne McGoldrick 3/21/13

Next month we will go to Joyland Special School and donate the remaining devices. We intend to do this during parents and teachers meeting. We will share with you some of the photos so that you can see how your effort and generosity continue to brighten the lives of many people with disabilities. Thank you so much!

J. O., Africa