The Ackers are back in Uganda!!!

Well, sort of...Angelo and Lino were accepted

into a high school in Canada for their senior year.

So, Shelah accompanied them to Canada.

Below you'll find the most recent photos of life in Uganda and pictures of

Lino and Angelo in Canada!

We had fun yesterday playing with the fishing game that came back with me (Shelah) from Canada! It was hilarious. Lots of laughter and screaming. There is always some sort of competition going on around this place! Even the fishing game turned into a big competition, with Saudi coming out on top!

Saudi with his catch

The week before Lino and Angelo left we took some pictures

One special treat that we like to indulge in here is getting sodas - usually it is only for something special- and everyone has their favorite soda. While we were in the USA we saw these shirts and couldn't resist getting one for each person representing their favorite soda. The only difficulty was that one of the favorite drinks here isn't found in the States so we had to substitute a few...

Meron and Abraham

The Mountain Dew drinkers

Meron the Fanta drinker

Angelo - Pepsi

COKE!!

Sprite

No, we do not normally let our girls drink soda like this...really!!

The girls

Soccer stars! KJ kicks the ball with serious concentration.

Anna-Grace- and yes, she really did kick that ball that high all by herself. She is excited to be on the girls team at school this year.

She even gets up in the mornings sometimes to "practice" before school

Lidya and Kaelah-Joy

Before Lino and Angelo left we all went out (and they even paid for it with their own money they earned this summer) to eat at the Mongolian BBQ place. It was very fun!

Barakat getting his food

Volleyball

Trip to Canada

Earlier in the year we found out about an opportunity for Lino and Angelo to go as international exchange students to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada for their last year of High School. It required a lot of paperwork, getting accepted into the program, as well as getting one year student visas to Canada. Everything came through quickly except the visas. We found out only a month ago while we were in the USA that they were granted the visas and then we had to begin hasty preparations for them to travel to Canada. So, just a week ago, I traveled with them, while Jade held down the fort here in Kampala with the girls, all the other guys, the Center, the Office, etc. It was a fast trip but well worth it!

While in Regina, they will be staying with a host family whom they met in Kenya several years ago when they were living and going to school there. We are so grateful to the Furlan family for offering them this wonderful opportunity and for hosting them this year!!

I flew with Lino and Angelo to Calgary where we were met by the host family they will be staying with in Regina, Saskatchewan. We went to Calgary first for two reasons: 1. the ticket was cheaper 2. we had to go to the American Embassy to try and get them visas to the USA so they can visit the States during their year in Canada

In downtown Calgary

Lino- it was very bright outside even though this picture was taken at 9:00 PM.

Cool trees

At the train station

Angelo

Angelo with Grant, the son of the host family they are staying with, and who is also in Grade 12.

At the airport in Calgary saying our final goodbye.

It was very hard and sad for me to say goodbye and I do admit I shed a lot of tears on the flight back from Calgary. It is still hard to realize they are gone. My mom shared a quote with me that goes something like "Being a mom means you have your heart divided up and walking around in other people's bodies all the time" I think I understand that feeling very well. I feel that parts of my heart are now in Regina, Canada in addition to being in Kampala, Uganda. The great news is that the guys are in a good place, with a great family, in a great school. This will be an incredible experience for them and for that we are happy. We look forward to all that will come from this year and for what is in store for them!