We are Geofrey and Becky Kalanzi. Geofrey grew up in Uganda and faced significant hardship when his parents, Joyce and Gaster, died during the AIDS epidemic. Left to fend for themselves, Geofrey and his brothers spent time on the streets before finding refuge in a home for boys. His younger sister, Allen, was fortunate to be taken in by a relative. Geofrey's talent in soccer and dedication to education brought him to Minnesota, USA, where he continued his studies and met his wife, Becky. Motivated by his sister’s challenges as well as his own, Geofrey has always been passionate about supporting young women in Uganda.

Married in 2012, Geofrey and Becky have had a strong desire to help young women in Uganda. This mission became even clearer through personal hardships. In 2017, Becky's younger sister, Lauren, tragically died in an ice fishing accident. During a study abroad trip to Italy, Lauren had photographed a beautiful olive tree.  After she died, we found her bible open to the verse, "I am like an olive tree flourishing in the House of the Lord." This verse became a comforting symbol, reminding us that despite our grief, God can use our pain for His glory. During a family visit to Uganda shortly after Lauren's death, we connected with others who had experienced similar losses and found comfort in sharing our stories.

In 2023, Becky's Mom died after injuries sustained in a car accident.  Her mom, Mary, had just spoken and shared a song with the congregation at their church.  The song was "You're Still God" by Phillipa Hanna.  Some of the lyrics say: 

Truly, she did not see that a car accident would happen a few hours later.  We held on to those song lyrics during her hospitalization not knowing what the outcome would be.  On the hospital floor, there was a beautiful artwork of a tree.  God continued to speak comfort that no matter the outcome, He was there.  

A short time after Becky's mom died, our church began a sermon series on trees.  The trees used in the Bible very clearly are talked of in Genesis as the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil.  Adam and Eve ate from this tree and caused eternal separation from God.  BUT!! Jesus, came to be among us, lived a perfect life, and took our sins upon him and died on a tree.  He rose three days later defeating death!  In Revelation, we again see the tree of Life as we again are together with God restored to Him for everlasting.

Becky's mom was a faithful believer and shared with us during a pregnancy loss during a period of infertility that God wanted to give us Joy even through the trials.  Yes, we still grieve, but we grieve with hope and can still have Joy.  We carried this message and the story of how God has shown us his story of redemption through the tree metaphor with us as we traveled to Uganda in 2023 with our two children, Zipporah and Theo.  In this particular visit, we partnered with an organization to provide a pampering event for young women, a dinner for young men, traveled through a slum community delivering books, mama kits, reusable pads, and more, as well as pouring into the lives of children from a local orphanage.

In the midst of the trials we have endured, we have also had moments of JOY as God has shown himself to us.  We also know that we have an eternity with him to look forward to.  A prophetic word in 2022 stated that we would have a ministry of restoration.  We know that we can't restore anyone on our own, but look forward to opening ourselves up to see what God will do through us.  We hope our message of Joy through Grief can connect others, especially young women in Uganda in need, with the God of comfort.