finally.... A new update on Uganda.

Okay so I know I really owe you all a long update but I just lost the blog I had written you because this computer’s power went out. Anyway today, is shaping up to be a REALLY FRUSTRATING day. My laptop isn’t charging, I have to buy a new adaptor. There’s no power at the house. Okay so over the past week I’ve been working with the Jinja YoungLife in HIVAIDS outreach at Kamuli (a few hours from Jinja) which has been an okay experience and last Friday I got to with a local doctor to diagnose a patient who as it turned out had TB and Anemia but would not take her medications because it hurt too much. The whole experience really broke my heart. I’ve written about that in greater detail but until I get my laptop working again I’m sort of stuck recapturing the basics of what I wrote. I’ve been teaching the boys and really have enjoyed it. They went for their interviews at the school and each of the boys will start at an appropriate level which is good because we feared a few may be held back. To update on Juma, Sarah who runs the boys home saw him but he was high and drunk. He threatened to stone her if she came closer so I have gone looking for him on several occasions and although I have been unable to find him I have really been able to connect with the street kids here in Jinja which is a whole mission field in itself. Connecting with kids both on the street and in the boys home has been a wonderful experience and really helped put a lot into perspective for me. I know this isn’t much of an update and now that I’m back in Jinja I should be able to give you better updates with photos from here on out. I’m feeling better now for those of you worried about when I was sick. It comes and goes, but for the most part I am better. Sickness is a part of the lifestyle here because my immune system is not used to everything I’ll come in contact with here so I’ll likely be sick again but it’s never anything too serious. I hope everyone is doing well and would love to hear from you all about things going on back at home. Please keep Christian, Evan, and Andrew in your prayers as they spend time in India. God has really used them in my life in amazing ways.

Update coming soon

PS - on days Jacob does not post, and you're dying for news, you can also check out the blogs of some of the other volunteers. Today, for example, I saw that Amberle posted that she had visited Rwanda, so I'm thinking that maybe Jacob did, too. Anyway, here are some blogs:

http://melissaandjoe.blogspot.com/ Joe and Melissa (directors)
http://amberlereyes.blogspot.com/ Amberle - another volunteer
http://katiesnyderphotography.blogspot.com/ Katie Snyder - photographer
http://www.ugandaphoto.blogspot.com/
http://lightgivesheatblog.blogspot.com/
http://theinsidescoop.lightgivesheat.org/

Additionally, but not as much fun, you can check http://www.irinnews.org/IRIN-Africa.aspx for news updates from that part of the world.

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Jacob has been staying busy in Uganda. He asked me to post a brief note that his health is ok (he had been a little sick), and that he is considering leaving Jinja for a period of time to go do some work in more remote areas. He will explain in more detail in an upcoming post.

Thanks for your continued prayers,
Love,
Jacob's Mom

Facebook

I'm also checking in on Facebook frequently. Send me a note!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1563390113

Photos in and around Jinja

Boys at Caring Place (where I teach)
http://caringplaceministries.org/mission/default.aspx

Source of the Nile River

The women of Suubi

Around Jinja

Beautiful sunset

Beautiful Flower

Beautiful beads for Suubi necklaces

Mzungu friends

Uganda update 2

Here I am again on Friday the second. Happy New Year for all of you. In our house are three guys from Colorado who have been traveling the world for a year. They have been a tremendous spiritual encouragement to me. Together, we have each discussed our resolutions for the new year and prayed over each other. Uganda has been very hot over the past few days. Before I continue to update you though, I have a prayer request. Juma is one of the boys at the home where I have been helping Amberle teach English; last night, he ran away. This is the second time he has run away and this time he stole a 5000 note and we do not know where he might be. The 5000 is enough for him to go to Kampala and if he goes, I fear we will never see him again. Please keep him in your prayers. I went to Danida, yesterday and some of the women of Suubi. A young boy named James showed me around the village. Gas prices have nearly doubled while I have been here. I got some great photos that day! Yesterday was a very chill day for all of us. Being New Year’s Day, I rested around the house til 12 noon, I went to market and came home, I wrote some emails and spoke with my grandmother before going to bed. Tomorrow will be my first day buying necklaces from all the women of Suubi.
Jacob