Fall Updates

Hello friends and family!

So much has happened since my last update. Here are some of the highlights!

August

- I was excited to have some members of my home church, Lifehouse, visit me in Jinja while they were in Uganda on a missions trip. It was fun to show them my world and give them a glimpse into the work Amazima is doing. It was also sweet and encouraging to spend time with people who have known me and prayed for me and my family for more than 20 years. I'm so thankful they took the extra time to make the journey out to visit Jinja. 

- I began working at GSF in mid-August. It was a rough start as my first day at work I started feeling really sick during a meeting and then could not stop vomiting. It turns out I had a bacterial infection and needed to go to the hospital to get an IV of fluids and anti-nausea meds and then take 10 days of antibiotics. (Not the ideal way to start a new job!) I pushed myself to make it to the first day of school with the students, but the first week was rough! 

- Each year GSF takes a trip to Musana Camps. I love how the school is so intentional about building relationships between the teachers and the families we serve. We mainly teach missionary kids and its been interesting to get to know the parents and hear about the ways they are serving in surrounding

villages. Several parents also expressed to me how thankful they are that we are here to teach their kids while they focus on their different ministries. I really enjoyed the time camping at Musana connecting with families through team building activities, waterfall hikes, times of worship around the campfire, and playing in Lake Victoria. I'm so thankful to be a part of GSF this year.

September

- I had the privilege to be in Judith and Godwin's introduction in September. (Godwin was my TA last year and both he and Judith have become good friends of mine.) I had only been to one introduction before, and hadn't stayed for the whole thing - but this time I was in the bride's party. I arrived at her house at 9am and we were there until 7:45pm. It was definitely a long day, but so fun. I had a few opportunities to greet people in Luganda (and I think I pulled it off), try some traditional dances, and wear a gomesi again. I'm really grateful for the experience and am looking forward to their wedding in December! 

- Term 3 at Amazima started in mid-September. I'm at GSF in the mornings and Amazima in the afternoons and I'm so thankful that both schools agreed to my working part-time. This change has allowed me to take a breath (as my schedule at Amazima was becoming overwhelming) but also allowed me to continue pouring into students and teachers that I've been building relationships with over the past two years. I'm still pretty busy, but I'm finding more time for sleep and healthy habits thanks to my modified schedule. I'm thankful that I make it to Amazima each day as my former AEP students are eating lunch. This allows me to spend time talking to them, helping them with classwork, and playing music for them on my speaker before I go teach my P3 students. Right now the girls are working on memorizing the words to Firm Foundation. It's my prayer that these words will be true in their lives. 

- Over the past year, Amazima has realized the need for some changes. With several staff, both Americans and Ugandans, feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, leadership has made some adjustments to improve the ministry overall. Now, instead of having one country director overseeing all of Amazima, there are four executive directors who each oversee specific areas. Byron List is now head of both the primary and secondary schools - and already that has resulted in a few positive changes (such as a shorter school day and more trainings embedded in the schedule). I'm thankful for our leadership listening to our concerns and making changes. Please pray that God would give the four directors wisdom as they seek to honor God and lead Amazima well.

- My birthday was last week and it was such a sweet day! My roommates took me out to breakfast at my favorite place on the Nile, The Haven. After that I drove to Amazima to celebrate a coworkers birthday with the students that we share. I took cake for the 70 students and 10 adults in P3. It was so much fun to celebrate with the kids and see their excitement when they received a cubic inch of cake. In the afternoon the staff played sports against the upper elementary students. I was 

on the volleyball team against many of my former AEP boys that tower over me. My favorite comment of the day was, "Ah, Miss Hummel, you are dangerous!" I loved the chance to spend time with the kids outside of the classroom - and the win wasn't bad either. 😉 Other friends took me to dinner at a rustic camping spot to watch the sun set over the Nile. The whole day was so fun and a reminder of all I have to be grateful for. Thank you also to every person who wished me a Happy Birthday from the US. I'm so thankful for the continued love and support I've received from you!

October

- On Sunday Chelsea (who is part of the team I moved to Uganda with) married William. They decided not to have a Ugandan or American wedding, just a small ceremony with a few friends as witnesses at Prayer Mountain. It was a special day of celebrating their relationship and praying for their future. I'm so thankful for my team and the way we've supported each other through all the ups and downs of living in Uganda - and I'm so glad we were able to support Chelsea on her special day!

Thank you for the ways you've continued to pray for, encourage, and support me. I'm blessed and so thankful!

💜 Jaci

*The countdown is starting for my parents and sisters visiting Uganda - 81 days! 😁