Two Years!!!

Hello family and friends!

Two years ago (last Monday) I arrived in Uganda. Thank you for your faithful
prayers, encouragement, and support that have allowed me to serve at Amazima. What an adventure it's been! 

Doug Martin (Amazima's CEO) told our training group, "You're thinking about what God's going to do through you, but pay attention to what He's doing in you." These past two years have been the hardest I've ever faced and I'm learning what it looks like to rely on God more fully and recognize His faithfulness through challenges. I'm thankful for the highs and lows that continue to draw me closer to Him. 

I want to thank each one of you who has financially supported me over the past two years. I was so intimidated to raise support, but I have been blessed by such faithful support and well funded during my time in Uganda. Thank you! I am so thankful for your generosity and trust.

Next Steps:

As I mentioned in my last update, I've been praying about what to do once my two year commitment to Amazima is complete. Starting in September, I will step back and only work part time with Amazima. I will still have the opportunity to teach my P3 students Bible and meet up with my former AEP students as well. I love Amazima very much, continue to believe in their mission, and am excited they are making some healthy changes to be an even better organization. For the time being, however, I will only be working with them part-time. (We'll see what the future holds, though!)

This fall, I will begin serving at an organization called Good Shepherd's Fold (GSF). They partner with Amazima in many ways and have the same desire to disciple Ugandans and empower them. They have foster homes for children with special needs, teach farming and trade skills to people in their community (Buwundo), and have a Ugandan and international school. I will be serving at the international school that serves mostly missionary kids (children of Amazima staff, GSF staff, and street kid ministry staff in Jinja). I will also have a few students in my class who are in the lengthy process of being adopted. You can learn more about GSF from their website, or feel free to ask me questions.

I'm excited for this new way to serve - in a different role, but still with the same goal.  As I teach the children of missionaries, I will be able to support missionaries as they work to disciple and empower the people in our surrounding communities. I'm thankful that I will be able to continue to build relationships with Amazima students and staff as I continue at Amazima part-time.

I am also excited about how changes in my schedule will allow me to partner more with my church in the community of Kimaka. Currently my role is to write Bible study guides for life group leaders each week.  As a church, we're also praying about how we can come alongside the families in the community. We have 40-50 small children coming to our small church each Sunday, not accompanied by any adults. Many of them come from challenging situations. Please pray that we would know how to be a light in the community of Kimaka (pronounced Chimaka). 

So, the next few weeks will bring some changes. I'm excited to continue part-time with Amazima and begin serving with GSF. My role will change, but I
continue to seek to use education to serve God, disciple students, and be a part of transforming communities in eastern Uganda. 

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement!

💜 Jaci

*Thank you again for fulfilling your commitment to support me over the past two years at Amazima. Please consider continuing your monthly support as I transition into a new role. You can continue to use RCE for any financial donations.