Uganda Updates

February 16, 2024

Uganda Updates

Hello friends and family,

It's been a while since my last update! So much has been going on, but here are some key events from the past couple of months.

December/January

- I spent my 2nd Christmas in Uganda (last year I was in the US, but 2021 was a Ugandan Christmas). It was definitely different than a traditional US Christmas, but just as sweet. We enjoyed roast chicken, cabbage, and mango juice for our Christmas feast and then spent the rest of the day playing card games and singing together. I'm thankful for the blessing of sweet friendships here in Uganda.

- I'm so thankful that most of my family was able to visit Uganda at the end of

December/beginning of January. (We missed you, Andrew!) It was fun to show them around and introduce them to people I love. It was such a gift just to spend time with them as well and I'm so glad they made the long trip to see me! (Thank you also to everyone who purchased items from my Amazon wishlist. I'm so thankful for your generosity.)

- Second semester at GSF started January 10. This semester I'll only be working at GSF and preparing to go back to Amazima full-time at the end of June. I really need this time of a more relaxed schedule and am so thankful for it!

- Amazima hosted a TBRI Conference sponsored by Show Hope for several different ministries throughout Uganda. "TBRI is designed to meet the complex needs of children who have experienced adversity, early harm,
toxic stress, and/or trauma." All of the children we serve at Amazima fit into that category, and I'm so thankful Amazima is making it a priority to train and equip teachers to serve our students well. It was also encouraging to see other organizations, including GSF, making it a priority to equip their employees as well.

February

- One of my closest friends in Uganda, Evelyne, just gave birth to her 3rd child. It was so much fun to throw her a baby shower and celebrate her growing family with some friends from church.

- Amazima received the scores for our P7 students for the PLE. Praise the Lord, all our students passed and started at The Amazima School - Secondary this past Monday! We're so thankful and excited for our new S1 students!

(The PLE is a giant test Ugandan students take at the end of primary school to determine whether or not they can continue in school. It is a lot of pressure on a student and most schools in Uganda make the P7 students go to school 2 hours longer than other primary students as well as go to school on Saturdays - it's a lot.)

- My roommates, Heather and Betty, are currently in Tennessee for the 10 year anniversary celebration of their organization, His Heart for Africa. They serve children and elderly in our area and currently have 23 children from their program attending Amazima. While they're away I'm on dog duty. No complaints from me!

Heather and Betty have been such a gift to me. In 2022 when my previous roommates decided it was time to move back to the US, Heather and Betty invited me to live with them while I figured out next steps. It was meant to be a temporary solution, but we've gotten along so well and have really enjoyed living together. A year and three months later, I'm finally preparing to move out. When Heather and Betty return, I'll be moving out to live with another friend named Esther. I'm excited to move because I'll be able to use my new home for hosting friends once again (including Heather and Betty)!

Would you please continue to pray for me during this season 1) that I will use my time wisely in this season of a more relaxed schedule (I've finally been able to get a bit more serious about learning Luganda) 2) that I'll get the rest I need to return to Amazima well in June 3) that I will end my time at GSF well and 4) that moving would go smoothly and Esther and I would get along well as roommates.

Thank you for continuing to pray for and encourage me! I'm so blessed by the support I receive from so many. Thank you for caring about me!

💜 Jaci

* A few pictures I stole from my mom! 😉