This month we were blessed with many events and some surprises. We had the amazing opportunity to host Mama Jean at our office during the Jingletown Holiday Art Walk. It was great to see her and hear how the orphanage is doing through the tough times in Zimbabwe. She said the school building was beautiful and they were enjoying it. She was encouraged of our continued support for the Zimbabwe people.

Thank you to Roni for your surprise visit. It brought back some great memories of our trip this past year to Zimbabwe having you, Mama Jean and Carolynn all there.

We are thankful to everyone who stopped by and enjoyed the beautiful work of Bronson Gengezha. Those of you who still would like to purchase Shona, you have one more opportunity to buy his work for gifts. There will be a reception for Mama Jean at the City of Refuge Ministries in San Francisco on Sunday, December 16th at 4 PM. For information or directions, please visit their website.

I am sad today to report the loss of a warrior. I received an email this morning informing me that Gerald passed away in the early hours of October 4, 2007. “Gerald was a MOPC Symbol of hope to millions of children across the globe living positively with HIV/AIDS,” said Gogo Jean, who manages and operates the MOPC.

Here are a few more comments from his sponsor Roni, a California resident and long-time MOPC supporter:

“When I first met Gerald his was near death and had been brought to MOP by his grandfather. Gerald changed my heart forever on that day. He had a big heart, a great smile and was quite a character.”

It continues to remind us of the struggle that everyone there faces each day with this horrible pandemic. Thank you in advance for your continued support. Remember to visit the AfricaJack Store to purchase items as gifts for those you love. Make sure you tell them they were crafted or made with love from people who need and appreciate your support.

Gerald told Roni he wanted to be a pilot…He now has his wings.

I wanted to update everyone about my life and the AfricaJack Foundation. Many of you are aware of the fact that I was devastated a few weeks ago, when I found out that I failed. I failed at pulling together an event. It was an event that was just suppose to celebrate our non-profit status.

We received that Letter of Determination from the IRS in less than 60 days of application! Yes that is amazing. Mike and I had put everything into this Foundation. I did it because of the smiles, the laughter, and the hope that one day I could go back to Africa. Return to tell another village, or orphanage, that they were going to have a school!

A place where they could learn how to start a business. They could learn about web design - because they already possess the skills inside, but they don’t know it yet. They could learn about engineering. They could go build a building or a bridge. OR better yet, they could build a dam which creates a pond, where they could have fish to feed their family, friends, village or sell!

Well that event was canceled. I thought that I was going to just fall apart. How could I tell the kids, whom I hadn’t even met yet, that they were going to have a school because I failed at pulling together an event? I still don’t know. I am thankful for the people that heard my cry, saw the frustration in my eyes, heard the passion in my voice, and most of all, thankful for the loved ones and my partner, Mike, for sticking with me.

The passion isn’t going to dissolve. I don’t believe that passion ever will. Sometimes it changes. Children, I can tell you this, if you were reading this story, you will get your school. Somehow, it will be built. It just won’t be this November. I’m sorry.

I have a few ideas. However, I need to take a little break. I have had a few weeks to recover. I am revived and somewhat refreshed.

I attended a convention this week. I met a lot of wonderful people. I am excited about what is ahead for AfricaJack. Yes, AfricaJack - me! I am encouraged because I have learned a lot these past few months.

Stay tuned! There’s a lot in store for us. Just keep your eyes open and your vision clear. Listen to the ones you love - or more importantly, the ones who love you. Things happen for a reason. It’s true. Life is Beautiful. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile. Smell the flowers. Give your dog two treats, instead of one. But most of all, love life and take care of you!

I had to share this with you. It’s one thing that still gives me chills when I see it. We have a lot of very talented neighbors within our loft community in Oakland. One of them, Chris, made something for me. It’s absolutely amazing. I can only hope that you can see in these pictures what I see every time I look at it.

“JACK” is carved into this rock which resembles Africa. So thank you, Mike for giving me this precious gift at a time when I needed it the most.

I was asked to BLOG about something that happened this past week. My hope is that you truly understand who I am and why I left a comfortable life to start a Foundation that helps children in Africa affected by HIV/AIDS. Thank you in advance for reading this entry and looking at my site. If you can’t donate, please tell someone about my story and ask them to donate to our cause.

On Friday, October 5 at 12:15 PM, J. Miller wrote:

“Hey dad hope your day is going well. I wanted to send to a message.

Dear Jack Miller,
Thank so much for this updates I am happy to hear that you are coming to Kenya this November and it is my prayer if possible we meet, I know you will update me when you will be coming so that i can arrange to meet you at Eldoret air port  even if you will take one hour with us  it will  be a blessing day. I am praying for this journey.  I had dreamed that you visited us and that it why I emailed you so that i may confirm if that dream of a true dream  I thank God for it. Again thank you and may our Heavenly father lead your ways always.
Pastor Peter
This pastor has been emailing me for quite awhile now. He lives in Kenya and is begging for help. I just can’t stop weeping thinking about this man in Kenya who has 12 orphans and very little help. I crying because I feel like I am not going to be able to help him because I can barely even feed myself.

That sucks! I told a reporter yesterday (will be in a local Oakland paper) that I didn’t realize how hard it would be to help people, especially kids. I just need some grant money, but I don’t have any time to do it. I spoke with (a friend) and she offered to review the grants once written.

Well, better get back at it. Continue to pray that it all works out. Someone reads my story, hears our cries and makes a LARGE donation.”

It’s so ironic that I am writing this entry at Cafe La Vie in San Francisco, which happens to be next to an African craft shop. It’s my first time here at this cafe and I stumbled into it to get a cup of coffee. The owners of the African store are playing the drums and singing. They seem very happy. I am only thinking that they are immigrants here to live the American dream and feel very fortunate.

It’s been extremely tough for me the last few weeks. I am continuously struggling internally about the situation. I could do what anyone else might do and that is give up. The reports say that they are more higher paying jobs in the Bay area than there are people willing or able to do them. Well, I CAN’T.

I can’t because I feel that this Foundation will make it. I feel that I am (even though I can’t explain it) doing the right thing. It amazes me that everyday, I am introduced to someone that could possibly or does help out some way in marketing or introducing the cause to someone new. The piece we are missing is located right around the corner.
I always heard the old saying, “I wish that I had a dollar for every time someone said…” Well I wish I did have a dollar every time someone did say “AH” when I told them what I do. People always say they will donate online when they find out they can through our secure connection with Groundspring. The sad truth is I never see that donation. I don’t blame them or get upset. It reminds me of what I use to be like. They just got too busy, caught up in their own situations and forget to keep a promise of going online and sending a tax-deductible donation.

I have told many of you the story of AfricaJack. I didn’t start this Foundation to get rich. HA! I couldn’t explain why. For those of you who have experienced Africa, you understand Africa gets under your skin. I never thought that I would ever go there. Never in a million years, did I think I would be working with children.

My dad told me I had finally found my “calling.” He thanked me for listening and following that call. All I know is every time I feel like giving up or throwing in the towel, I hear the laughter and see the smiles of the children I met almost 6 months ago at a remote AIDS orphanage in Zimbabwe.
Someone asked me a few days ago what I thought western people could do, if anything, to help the people of Africa who fight AIDS daily. My response mirrored the words told to me while I was in Zimbabwe this past spring.

“If we did just a little or maybe we did everything we were able to do, collectively we could make a HUGE difference in the fight against AIDS in Africa.”