Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sarah Whitman

Senior staff writer

Personal trainer Samantha Taylor knows the pain and frustration of fighting an eating disorder. She was a binge eater for most of her young adult life. Six years ago, after being named number-one-trainer by Lifestyles Family Fitness, Taylor found herself downing slices of pizza at a local buffet and realized something had to change.

“I had eaten eight slices of pizza and four dessert pieces,” she said. “The waitress came to the table and said, aren’t you that trainer who writes articles for the local paper? I was mortified. My public life and what I considered a private personal problem had finally met. I rushed straight to the gym, got on the treadmill and started to cry.”
Taylor went home that day and began to pray. She asked God to heal her food addiction, a problem she had hidden by maintaining weight through exercise. Three months later, she was feeling free, no longer preoccupied by a desire to eat.

“I haven’t binged since,” Taylor said with a smile, seated in her office at Pure Health, her personal training studio in Lutz.  “Now I can help others to truly get healthy.”

Taylor, a certified trainer and nutrition expert, worked at lifestyles for three years; then went into private business in 2004. She trained clients at their homes; then opened her first studio on Dale Mabry Hwy. The newest Pure Health facility, located behind Ferman Auto on SR 54, opened a little more than a year ago.

Clients can sign-up for one-on-one or group training to improve physical, mental and spiritual health.

“Mentally you have to be in the right place before you can loose weight and keep it off,” Taylor said. “Otherwise, you just go back to old habits. Once you know the root of the problem, you’ll be able to eat right and stick to a fitness routine.”

Having struggled with food; Taylor said she offers clients more than book knowledge.

“Clients know I’m not a girl who’s always loved eating chicken and broccoli,” she said. “I grew up with a serious food addiction and had to work really hard. For a long time, I knew everything about nutrition and my body, but I just couldn’t stop eating. I wasn’t trying to be a hypocrite. I just had a problem and I got better. I want people to know they can do it too.”

Most of Taylor’s clients come to her in hopes of loosing weight.  She encourages them to do so in the healthiest way possible.  Loosing weight to fast isn’t good, she said, and crash diets do more harm than good.

“It is a process,” she said. “If clients follow the program, eat right and keep moving; they can loose two to four dress sizes in just weeks and feel great.”

Wendy Steinbaecher of Land O’ Lakes lost 40 lbs in six months.

“Samantha helped me get rid of the bad foods in my diet, then she started me on cardio and weight training,” Steinbaecher said. “Working with her is great because she knows your struggles. It’s nice to know she isn’t this perfect person who’s never eaten a bad thing.”

Steinbaecher said she feels at home at the Pure Health studio.

“Everyone is friendly and it’s a smaller environment, so it’s easier to feel comfortable here than it is at a big gym,” she said.

Suzanne House of Lutz agrees. She has lost 151bs since August, but says the greatest change she’s noticed is on the inside. She no longer feels burdened by unhealthy eating patterns.

“I’m feeling stronger and more energized,” she said.

House and Taylor share a common bond.

“Samantha focuses on the spiritual side of things, which is one of the reasons I came to her,” House said.  “My faith is a big part of who I am and she understands that.  She holds me accountable and helps me remember who really gives me the strength to do this.”

“It says in the Bible, your body is a temple,” Taylor. “The body was created to move. We were meant to eat natural foods, not processed foods.”

Taylor thinks upbringing has a lot to do with eating habits. She encourages parents to start their children off on the right track.

“I grew up eating sugar and fast food,” she said. “If you grow up on that stuff, it becomes comfort food and you associate comfort with it, even though its really hurting your body.”

Clients at Pure Health are taught to retrain their brains to think of eating in a different way.

“The next time you think a soda, don’t think about how it will taste or even think of it as a drink, think of it as a big glass of chemicals,” Taylor said.

When faced with temptation, Taylor turns to prayer. During the holidays, she ate a couple cookies. Sometimes, she’ll drink a soda when out to dinner; but food no longer runs her life.

“There’s no magic pill you can take,” she said, “but with the right tools people really can change. My goal is to get people to believe again.”

IF YOU GO

• WHAT Pure Health Studios
• WHERE 24140 SR 54, suite 103
• MORE INFORMATION (813) 909-4939

DADE CITY —A pending merger between the Central Pasco and East Pasco chapters of Habitat for Humanity means more help for low-income families.

“Our organizations’ goals are the same, so why duplicate our efforts when we can work together,” said John Finnerty, president of the East Pasco organization. “By combining our resources we will be able to build more homes.”

In the past 10 years, the all-volunteer Central Pasco Habitat has built four homes compared to 73 completed by East Pasco, which has eight employees and two VISTA volunteers.

To merge, Central Pasco will dissolve its non-profit corporation and the remaining organization will be renamed Habitat for Humanity of East Central Pasco. Three members from the current Central Pasco board —Danny Coleman, Randy Gailit and John Westfall — will be appointed to a combined 22-member board. The merger should be made official in March.

To get a jump on upcoming projects, board members met for a planning meeting Jan. 18 to discuss goals for 2010.

“We have plans to dedicate three more homes in central Pasco in 2010 and we’re hoping to open a retail store for all areas,” Finnerty said. “We’re also working to recruit more volunteers.”

The Central Pasco group dedicated its fourth and last home as an independent non-profit Jan. 16. Volunteers built the home for the Neeley family, Jasson, Ashlie and their three young sons — identical 3-year-old twins Christian and Cayden, and 6-month-old Gabrielle. The 1,400 square foot home in Pasco Lakes Estates has a wide front porch, three bedrooms and a bath. The subdivision is located in north Land O’ Lakes on US 41, about five miles north of SR 52.

“We moved in on Dec. 19, which was Jasson’s birthday and just in time for Christmas,” Ashlie said.

Next door to the Neeley’s, another Habitat home is being built. Central Pasco board member Gary Williams said the selection committee is currently reviewing applications to choose a family. East Pasco has been involved with the process.

“The board is really proud of what we’ve done and the merger steps up and allows us to build more homes,” Williams said.

Following the merge, Habitat might hire more employees to assist with new projects.

“Our staff is spread pretty thin to begin with,” Finnerty said. “We may recruit some part-time employees from the Central area. Its important our employees have an expertise on the area they are working in.”

Finnerty said plans are to hire retail staff, if they are able to open a store. The two groups are currently searching for a location in the Land O’ Lakes area to open a Habitat Restore, where they will accept donations of new appliances and building materials. If donated items are not needed in a local Habitat home, they are sold at Habitat’s Restore at significant discounts to the public.

Volunteers will also be needed to manage donations.

“We’ll always need volunteers,” Finnerty said. “Habitat runs on the heart and soul of volunteers.”

A reception celebrating the merger of East Pasco and Central Pasco Habitats is planned for March.

see related story

Lutz composer markets CD to pets

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

LUTZ  — Dottie Pino tried everything to relax her dog Bandit, a Lhasa Apsos she rescued from an abusive home two years ago. She gave him hugs and kisses. She took him for long walks. Still, Bandit was always a little bit on edge. At a loss, Pino decided to try something unusual. She purchased Animal Therapy Edition, a CD of songs to ease pet stress.

Composed by Lutz resident Connie Girard, the CD is a mix of soothing instrumentals and natural sounds.

“I put the CD on and left the room,” Pino said. “When I came back Bandit and my cat were lying flat on their backs with their feet up, completely relaxed.”

Bandit’s story is one of the composer’s favorites. His picture is up on Girard’s Web site, amongst other pets of happy customers. Girard, a musician since childhood, is excited to hear about how different animals are affected by her music.

“When I started composing, I was making something for people to enjoy, but then birds were flying to the window and squirrels were stopping outside,” she said. “I realized it was because of the music and that’s where I got the idea to market it to pet owners.”

Girard said all types of animals respond to sound. Years ago, she worked as an animal specialist with the former Metro Dade City in south Florida. There she learned to appreciate animals as emotional beings.

“They experience tension,” Girard said. “When something bad happens they feel it just like us.”

Jennifer Boron couldn’t believe it when her turtle, Mitz, seemed to be moved by the music. Boron had to give up Mitz’s turtle mate because she was becoming aggressive. Left alone, Mitz gave up on day-to-day life outside his shell.

“Mitz hadn’t been eating or moving around much,” Boron said. “I started playing the CD thinking my cats would like it. I turned it up and saw the water in the turtle tank vibrating. Mitz must have felt it because he started climbing again and eating again.”

Boron’s cats, Spunky and Curly, like the music too.

“My cats always get car sick and I had to take them on a road trip,” she said. “I put the CD on in my car and they didn’t get sick. I think its because they were more comfortable and relaxed.”

Girard believes animals experience stress in a way similar to humans.

“Their brains respond to calming effects,” she said.

Pino agrees.

“I put the music on late afternoon and at night,” she said. “I cuddle Bandit and he goes to sleep. I’d recommend the CD to anyone with a pet who has been abused.”

Animal Therapy Edition is currently for sale online at www.animalmusictherapy.com. The cost is $19.95. Girard is marketing it to stores and hopes veterinarians in the area will carry it as well. To get the word out, Girard will play the CD from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Land O’ Lakes Saturday Market, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. People are invited to bring pets.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES­—Often teenagers are looked at as troublemakers or as a nuisance, but at Pasco County Libraries they are considered a valuable asset.

Due to its popular teen programs, the library system was awarded the John Cotton Dana Award, an honor that is as coveted as the Academy Award is for actors. The award is only given to six libraries nationwide and honors libraries with an outstanding public relations program.

Pasco won for the Rockus Maximus Retro Battle of the Bands 12 event held last March. Stonebridge said even though the big event is a one-night concert for teens, a lot of hours go into the promotion.

“We start promoting the event in early November using our social networks,” Stonebridge said. “We also have a kick-off show at the Land O’ Lakes Library ahead of time to promote the show. We had so many bands sign up for the event last year that we had to pick the top eight and just feature them. Over the months leading up to the show, we filmed episodes on each of the bands showing their personality and character. The band that did the best job of promoting themselves through the episodes got extra points going into the contest.”

All of the promotional videos from the kick-off show and the band episodes are posted on-line in various places like YouTube, but the main site for all there is to know about the event is at myspace.com/pascolibraries.

Stonebridge said he was thrilled when he learned his library won. To enter the contest, he and six other people had to collaborate to get everything ready.

“This is one of the most prestigious awards the American Library Association gives,” Stonebridge said. “This is something they only give to the best of the best.”

Alicia Moon-Wan, librarian 1 youth, helps to organize the teen programs at the library along with the teen advisory board. The teen advisory board gets to decide teen events and is made up of teens in the area. She said she thinks the teen programs are important for a few reasons.

“Our programs give kids the chance to get out and socialize,” Moon-Wan said. “We let them choose the programs they want to do because it gives them a chance express themselves. We make sure they feel welcome and are having a good time. The library is not just a place to keep books anymore, it is an information gateway.”

Recently the advisory board voted to have a teen art show. Noelle Park, 16, of New Tampa, is the vice president of the board. Park said she thought the art show would be a great idea because she knew many teens like art.

“I have been coming here for five years,” Park said. “I like it here because typically you would expect to go to a teen event that would be decided by some 60-year-old who doesn’t know what teens are into. It is a lot more fun to pick out what we get to do.”

From the number of submissions, it appears she was right. There were 114 submissions from kids ages 11 to 18 throughout middle and high schools in Pasco County. Teens submitted artwork in three categories- 3-D, 2-D and photography.

Jacqueline Stickney, 18, of Wesley Chapel, won the Best of Show for her 3-D art. She said it was her first time entering in an art show and her first teen event, but it will not be her last.

“I wanted to enter the show just to see how my art would fare against other artists my age,” Stickney said. “I am very excited. The library has been a very interesting way to get involved in the community. I like it because I am meeting people with similar interests. If it weren’t for this event, I wouldn’t have known anyone else who was interested in art.”

Diego Hernandez, 17, of Land O’ Lakes said he loves the programs at the library. He has attended the Rockus Maximus event the last two years in a row.

“I like to go and play the video games like Rock Band, but every now and again I would take a break and listen to the bands,” Hernandez said. “I think the library deserves the award. The willingness of the staff to put on all the teen stuff and let us do what we want is just great.”

For more information, visit pascolibraries.org.

Heart condition ‘helped’ Nelson Ryman evacuate Haiti

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

ZEPHYRHILLS — When Nelson Ryman traveled to Haiti Jan. 12 he could never have expected to experience a 7.0 earthquake.

“It was just a normal day with the sun shining bright,” Ryman, 70, said. “I was in my hotel room at the time, when all of a sudden it felt like I was on the deck of a ship with 50 foot waves.”

Ryman arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, around noon Jan. 12. The largest earthquake to hit the nation in more than 200 years happened at 4:53 p.m. Ryman was one of the fortunate ones.

“I was able to get downstairs and outside without getting hurt,” he said.

The Zephyrhills resident travels to the village of Simonette about every six and a half weeks. He has done so for the last six years to visit Tytoo Gardens, an orphanage he supports. During the last 10 years, he has developed a bond with the children.

“I was so happy that (Tytoo Gardens) and all the kids survived the earthquake and the aftershocks,” he said. “I’ve watched some of them since they were 1-year-old. For them to still have a place to live is a miracle because most people in the village lost their homes.”

Ryman, who has lived in Zephyrhills since 1969 and owned H&R Interstate Mobile Homes, has a heart condition, which he takes blood-thinning medication for. He has had three angioplasties performed and recently had an aneurysm repaired. He had planned to stay in the country until Jan. 15 and had enough medicine to last him until Jan. 17, but his condition made him a special case for local government officials.

“After numerous calls and e-mails from the public, we felt we needed to try and rush him out of Haiti because of his age and heart condition,” said Joy Hampton, constituent services representative and grants coordinator for Rep. Ginny Brown Waite of Congressional District Five.

“We got his personal and passport information from his family and worked with the United Nations and the Haitian authorities to get him out of the country as safely as possible,” Hampton continued. “The problem was the area he was in was ten to 15 miles away from the airport, and with his heart condition he couldn’t safely get there.”

Ryman said State Rep. Will Weatherford also worked to get him out of Haiti.

While his location was a problem in getting him to the airport, Ryman could not be happier that the village was ten miles out of harm’s way.

“That is probably what saved the orphanage,” he said. “It was also good that it happened when it did. In Haiti, people spend most of the day outside because the houses are small. If it had happened later a lot more people would have been inside their houses when they collapsed.”

Ryman said the people of Simonette made tents to sleep in with bed sheets following the earthquake. Ryman himself slept in an abandoned pool Jan. 13 to protect from falling debris from the aftershocks.

The next night, Ryman was able to stop some UN trucks delivering relief supplies to the surrounding area. The truck drivers agreed to pick Ryman up on their way back to Port-au-Prince, where he could get on a plane out of Haiti.

“I know people were very worried about me being kidnapped, but that wasn’t my main concern because the UN had really cracked down on that and thrown the gang leaders in jail after gaining some control in the country a few years ago,” Ryman said. “I was just worried about everyone I knew in Haiti…There is a little store that I stop in for supplies each time I’m in the country. I was there the first day and later learned that everyone there was killed when the store collapsed.”

While Ryman worried about his friends in Haiti, his family back in Zephyrhills worried about him.

“The worst thing is not knowing what happened,” said Ryman’s son Kevin. “We didn’t know if he was OK or hurt or worse for a day. That was terrible to not be able to tell anyone anything because we just didn’t know.”

Ryman’s wife, Dottie, said she was able to speak to him for less than a minute Jan. 13.

Ryman eventually got on a U.S. Air Force cargo plane that flew him to Puerto Rice Jan. 14 and arrived at the Homestead Air Force Base Jan. 15. A colonel at the base drove him in his Cadillac to the Miami International Airport, where he got on a plane to Tampa International Airport.

“I just thanked God that I got home safe,” Ryman said. “Now we need to help the people of Haiti rebuild because what they need most now is shelter. They are very resourceful and can find food almost anywhere, but they don’t have homes left to protect them from the rain and the sun.”

While Ryman is already trying to stir up support for the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, his family is looking for him to take it easy for a little while

“Selfishly we try and get him to go there less often because we are always worried about him,” Kevin said. “We want him to support the orphans, but we are always afraid of what could happen. We never thought an earthquake like that would hit with him there though. Now we have another thing to worry about.”

It seems unlikely Ryman will stop his trips to the nation on the west side of the island of Hispaniola.

“I’ve grown to love all those kids down there that are in the orphanage,” Ryman said. “Just sending them money and supplies doesn’t impact them as much as me being there.”

To help Ryman rebuild some of the homes and shelters in Haiti, send checks made out to Jesus In Haiti Ministries to CenterState Bank, 6930 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills.

NELSON RYMAN’S TIMELINE IN HAITI

1. Arrived in Port-au-Prince at noon Jan. 12
2. Reached Simonette around 2 p.m. Jan. 12
3. Earthquake at 4:53 p.m.
4. Spent the day in the remains of Simonette Jan. 13
5. Slept in an abandoned swimming pool Jan. 13
6. Got a ride from UN relief trucks to Port-au-Prince the evening of Jan. 14
7. Flew from Port-au-Prince to Puerto Rico late on Jan. 14
8. Flew from Puerto Rico to Homestead the morning of Jan. 15
9. Touched down at Tampa International Airport at 3 p.m. Jan. 15

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

TAMPA — A bunch of teenagers hang out sharing their poetry and drinking hot chocolate in a coffee house atmosphere. But this is not a coffee shop — it’s a classroom.

Crystal Dukes’ classroom, to be exact.

Dukes, an English teacher at Freedom High School, uses this setting to teach students about poetry. Because of her unique teaching style and philosophy, Dukes is Teacher of the Year for Freedom.

She only recently learned that she is one of the top five candidates in the running for the Teacher of the Year for all of Hillsborough County. She said she is really excited because she set a goal for herself to be the teacher of the year and she made it.

“It is nice to be recognized for doing something I love,” Duke said. “I feel honored to be selected, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my administration.”

One of her biggest supporters is Principal Chris Farkas.

“I think her ability to connect with the students is what sets her apart,” Farkas said. “She creates an atmosphere in the classroom where the students can feel comfortable. It is an environment where the students are having so much fun they don’t even know they are learning.”

Her student Mohammad Hasan, 14, of Lutz said he loves English now because Dukes is his teacher.

“She is a funny and cool teacher,” Hasan said. “I like that she takes time to tell jokes and to let us tell jokes. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had because she understands the students. Some teachers forget they were ever teenagers, but she remembers what it was like.”

Dukes said she thinks there are a few important qualities teachers should have.

“I think the most important thing a teacher should have is a passion for teaching,” Dukes said. “I also think teachers should always realize how much of a role model they are which is why I practice what I preach. I have the idea that the classroom is only a part of the bigger picture. I am always trying to see what I can do to affect people outside of the classroom.”

After class, Dukes is a mentor for the P.O.I.S.E.D. club for girls. P.O.I.S.E.D stands for Proper, Outstanding, Intelligent, Sophisticated, Extraordinary and Distinct.

Through the program, students in her class are paired with students in Liberty Middle School. She said the program helps the older girls to be good role models and it helps the younger girls by providing them with someone they know when they come to the high school.

“The mentorship program helps to build bridges between girls in the middle school and the high school,” Dukes said. “The girls have at least a once-a-week communication with each other, where they just talk about what is going on.”

One thing setting Dukes apart from other teachers is her ability to connect with students.

“I have been exposed to many different types of people since my father was in the military,” Dukes said. “It makes it easier on me since kids don’t come with a workbook and I have to learn how to work with each student.”

When deciding what career path to take, Dukes said she chose to become an English teacher because it is the most important subject a person can learn.

“It is the foundation for anything a person might want to pursue,” Dukes said. “English is not something a person just needs in high school, these are skills a person will always need.”

On Jan. 28 the district will announce its Teacher of the Year at the David A. Starz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, formerly Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. If Dukes wins, she will be in the running for Teacher of the Year for the state. For more information, visit www.educationfoundation.com.

WESLEY CHAPEL—From humble beginnings in the Long Leaf Community, the Suncoast Arts Fest has grown to become an event so big it is drawing artists from all over Florida.

This year’s event will have more than 100 fine artists displaying and selling their work. The fest will be at the Shops at Wiregrass Saturday and Sunday.

Pamela Marron, co-director of the event this year, is one of the original organizers. She said about 70,000 people attended last year. She is hoping for even more this year.

“The first time we had the art show it was named Fine Arts on the Village Green and it was inside the Long Leaf Development in New Port Richey,” Marron said. “We had 1,500 visitors, so we decided the development wasn’t big enough for the art fest. That is when we moved it to SR 54 and Starkey and renamed it. We had it there for a couple years and then when they opened the Shops at Wiregrass we decided to move it there.”

Marron said visitors can expect a great mix of mediums including ceramics, clay, drawings, graphics, fiber, leather, wood, photography, glass, jewelry, metal, sculpture and mixed media.

“All the artists are creating fine art,” Marron said. “Nobody is using kits, every artist either makes everything by hand or a good portion of it. The jewelers are making their beads or the pottery artists are throwing their own clay by hand. This will not be an arts and crafts fest, it is for fine artists only.”

Pauline Atkinson of Zephyrhills will be selling the jewelry she makes using her handmade glass beads.

“I make the glass beads and then I put together bracelets, necklaces and earrings,” Atkinson said. “I like to work with a lot of color, which is why I use 150 different colors. Then after I make the glass beads, I like to add swarovski crystal and sterling silver.”

The event will benefit Art for Kids in Pasco County. Marron said money raised will be used to create a Web site that will help students in the 10^th through 12^th grade who are interested an art-based career.

“We want to help students and parents find the careers and colleges out there that are available,” Marron said. “We have been working with colleges like the Ringling College of Art and Design. We are trying to let people see that art is not just something you do in school or not just for an art show. Art can be used in a job too like architects and web designers. We want to be able to help kids who are passionate about art.”

In addition to building a Web site, the non-profit organization will also have an Emerging Artist show for sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school in Pasco.

“The show will be a juried art show just like a professional show,” Marron said. “The students artwork will have to be accepted and in the end prizes will be awarded.”

Nanette McLain, of Land O’ Lakes, will be displaying her stained glass artwork at the Fest. She said when she creates pieces; she is inspired by nature’s wonders, things like butterflies, birds and dragonflies.

“I make small sun catchers all the way up to large panels,” McLain said. “I also like to do custom projects. I like to use a lot of different colors and textures. Everything I do is handmade and done in kind of the old-fashioned way where I hand-cut each piece and put them together. It does take longer, but I think it is worth it because it is so pretty.”

In addition to the art show, the fest will also have entertainment from local schools including The Contempo Dance Group and the Mitchell High School Jazz Band. WMNF 88.5 FM, a public radio station, will be broadcasting regional music.

IF YOU GO

• WHAT Suncoast Arts Fest 2010
• WHERE The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
• WHEN Jan. 23 and 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday
• MORE INFORMATION visit www.suncoastartsfest.com

Victorious Life Church hosts concert and women’s conference

By Sarah Whitman

Senior staff writer

WESLEY CHAPEL — The Watoto Children’s Choir travels the world singing to inspire change in Africa’s most war-torn and disease-affected countries. The group, made up of Ugandan orphans aged 8 to 12, will perform Jan. 29 at Victorious Life Church.

The performance is part of the Reflections Women’s Conference, a two-day event to address the plight of children in the developing world. Marilyn Skinner, co-founder of Watoto, and Lisa Bevere, author and child rights activist, will speak.

“Reflections is about letting women know what’s going on in other parts of the world and what they can do to help,” Victorious Life co-pastor Janis Russo said. “We invite them to come be inspired.”

Founded in 1994 by Marilyn and Gary Skinner, Watoto Children’s Ministries rescues kids affected by the AIDS epidemic and war atrocities. The ministry currently provides more than 1,700 children in Uganda with housing, holistic care, schooling and spiritual guidance.  The choir serves to spread the word and show children a life outside their villages. Each year auditions are held and different children are given an opportunity to go on tour.

Sherri Hanson, U.S. tour coordinator, contacted Victorious Life with the idea for Reflections, a concert complimented by great speakers.

“Lisa (Bevere) has been involved with Watoto and she has done a lot of work in the fight against child sex trafficking,” Hanson said. “I thought her and Marilyn together at one event would be exciting.”

Bevere’s latest book “Nurture” focuses on the nature of women and their willingness to help others. In it, the author says God predestined women to be caregivers to people in need.

Russo agrees with the message.

“When women see people suffering, they become passionate about making a difference,” Russo said. “They will get behind a cause with all the time and energy they have.”

Victorious Life member Toni Barsness said she is excited to learn more about Watoto and what role she can play in saving lives.

“It’s amazing what they do at Watoto,” she said. “They literally raise these children to be future African leaders.”

Hanson remembers the first time she traveled to Uganda.

“I went expecting to go and bless some children,” she said. “When I arrived, I realized it was them who would bless me. They have suffered so much but they are so humble and grateful. The rest of us can learn a lot from them.”

The music of the Watoto Choir brings Russo to tears.

“I saw them perform a couple years ago and they were so incredibly dynamic,” she said. “Their energy was contagious, so contagious that our church sent a missions group to Uganda last summer. I jumped at the chance to bring the children here.”

Russo hopes conference attendees will walk away feeling more connected to people in the third world.

“People hear stories about what’s going on over there but that’s as far as it goes,” she said. “When you meet people face-to-face, the message really hits home.”

Skinner, having lived in Uganda for more than fifteen years, plans to speak candidly about her experiences with pregnant AIDS victims, starving children and children victimized by widespread violence. Some of the stories are difficult to share, but Skinner does so in hopes of creating a better world.

“She will speak about faith, justice and humanity,” Hanson said. “I truly believe this conference was God ordained. Women need to be made aware.”

The Reflections Conference is open to all women. Registration can be done on-line at www.maximizedwomanhood.com or at the church.

• WHAT Reflections Women’s Conference
• WHEN doors open 6:30 p.m. Jan 29 8:30 a.m. Jan 30
• WHERE Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road
• HOW MUCH $39 for both days $29 for one day
• MORE INFORMATION (813) 973-2230