Acker Adventures: July 2010

Family comes to visit:

So this report is being written by Melody Kortbein, Jade’s older sister and also his seventh grade math teacher. During Jade and Shelah’s visit during September 2009, they started talking to all of the nieces and nephews and asking them when they were coming to Uganda to visit. After much prayer, it was decided that I would accompany my children, William (age 17) and Ronette (age 15) and my niece, Victoria, a.k.a. Tori, (age 15) to Uganda from the end of June and the first part of July.

Tori, Melody, Ronette and William with their eight bags of luggage

We had a wonderful visit, had lots of fun, and worked very hard. My journal was over 14 pages long – so I won’t share it all. But I would like to share some of the highlights. The work that Jade and Shelah are doing is time consuming and hard. But to see the gratitude of all of the people that they work with is heartwarming.

We spent our first couple of days helping to clean up the Center of Hope, located in Kampala. My church, Niceville United Methodist Church in Niceville, Florida, collected money during VBS to buy the English curriculum needed. They also raised enough money to provide children’s books for the library. Jade, Shelah, and their team are also working at the Center of Hope to create a playground for the children of their students. In addition, they are building a “hut” to practice outreach in the more rural parts of Africa. It was great to meet Dickens, their day guard, who is a pastor of a local church. He is keeping the Center safe, as well as growing some wonderful vegetables and flowers in the compound.

Ronette and Tori got to “set up” the library

The Center had also just acquired several computers and a Xerox machine. William was able to set up the computers and network so that the Xerox Machine could be used as a printer, scanner, and copy machine.

William “networking” the computers together.

Though the center was not too busy while we were there, they were signing up new people to take the English classes that they offer. It was also wonderful to finally meet Peter and Harriet that I had heard about in the past. The work they are doing there is so beneficial to the neighborhood and to the people involved. We got to experience life in the city by taking a taxi ride as well as several boda-boda (a motorcycle taxi) rides. The city is always busy and there are people everywhere.

We were able to visit the small village of Greek. Though work seems to be moving slowly, there is progress that can be seen. We visited the nearby school and took them a soccer ball. I was amazed at the number of children (and cows) that attended the school. The two pastors that we met were so appreciative of all of the work and supplies that Refuge and Hope are giving. The trip was long and difficult – but the scenery was beautiful.

Workers showing progress on the multi-purpose building

Children coming to greet us at the school near Greek. Notice the classroom under the tree.

Though we were not able to see all of the projects going on with Refuge and Hope, we did discover one of our own projects right across the street from Jade and Shelah. There is an orphanage located there that is home to 7 boys and 7 girls ages 4 to 14. We were very touched by these children and the songs that they sang to us. We were pleased to be able to provide a meal and some new shirts for all of these children. Ronette and Tori also wanted to buy a goat for the children so that they can learn responsibility and hopefully get some milk. That project is still ongoing and we hope to continue to support these children.

Orphans expressing thanks for their meal and new shirts

Ronette with two of the children

William teaching one of the orphans how to play guitar

Tori taking pictures of the kids

Since I am a school teacher (Ronette and Tori have expressed interest in becoming teachers) we were able to visit several schools. Two of the schools were located in slum areas. We chose to “tour” the slums when we were done with our visits. The people who live in these areas have to overcome so many adversities. I think the kids came away with an appreciation for all that they have been blessed with. The primary and nursery schools were our favorites because the children seemed so excited to meet a Mzungu and they loved to sing for us and sing along with us.

Children at Little Light Preschool

Children at Gracious Lord Primary School

Children at Hope School

The work that Refuge and Hope is doing with the Sudanese boys is amazing. It was so great to meet 4 of the other boys (we had the pleasure of introducing Lino to the USA when he came to visit in June) before we left. They offered many insights to what life is like at school in Uganda. They are each unique individuals and have different gifts and talents. I am certain they will all succeed in life, as well as in volleyball.

Another rousing volleyball game at the Acker home.
I am very proud of my baby brother and his wife and all of the work that they are doing. I would encourage you to continue to support them and all of the work that they are doing.

FUN THINGS

On a personal note, we did find some time to do some “fun” things. We toured Amsterdam in our layovers going over and coming back. The only problem we had was that the kids were suffering from jetlag during our tours of the canals. While in Uganda, we enjoyed the Ndere Troupe dancers show, we went swimming at Speke resort, we visited the Martyrs’ Shrine, we visited the source of the Nile River, we went shopping at Friday market, we hiked to Sipi Falls, we hiked to Murchison Falls, and we went on Safari. We were exhausted at the end of our 13 days, but I feel like we would do it again. We loved it.