How did he find love in a

FAdams — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:43:44 -0500

How did he find love in a boys' home?

“I had been shooting the movie for about two weeks at that time, having a blast and running around with these kids,” said Fournier. “One of the days we were taking a break, and in walks this beautiful African lady who greets the other people in the room in Ugandan. I figured she must be somebody’s wife because she knew everybody.”

It turned out they were both single and close to the same age.

“I was at probably the highest fun point in my life, and we were getting close to the end of filming. It was pretty tentative at first, but as we learned more about each other, I realized this woman is beautiful and fun and kind,” he said.

He returned to Minnesota, and the couple had a long-distance relationship for more than a year while she remained in Uganda. E-mail and phone conversations kept them in touch and allowed their relationship to develop. Was it difficult from an emotional standpoint? Yes, but Fournier said he was so busy working at his retail job and editing the film in his spare time that it was like he was married to the project.

“I went back to Uganda again to record narration, and I brought an engagement ring with me. I wanted to make sure this was the right direction to go with my life,” he said. “I was asking myself, ‘Am I just building this up in my mind? Or is this real?’”

It was real, and midway through the trip, he proposed. That was in 2004. Now the couple is married and living in Eden Prairie.

New movie by former Chan resident filmed in Africa

FAdams — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:13:07 -0500

He hopes to use the film to raise money for orphans in Uganda

By Forrest Adams

Orphans in Africa are the subject line of countless fundraisers, the images of many infomercials, the topics of many church missions. Alex Fournier, 30, of Eden Prairie decided to take a few steps further, traveling to a boys' home in Africa that's sponsored by his church.

Chanhassen Villager - New movie by former Chan resident filmed in Africa - Comments

How did he find love in a

New movie by former Chan resident filmed in Africa