Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Good News!

I want to say a huge thank-you to everyone who was so generous and gave money towards Jackie and her family. We have raised enough for a plot of land, a house, a kitchen, a latrine, and then some! I haven't dropped of all of the money yet, but I'm going to tell the school to use the extra in whatever way will most benefit Jackie.

The school was so excited, and thankful, and even sent a special thank-you letter to us! We're expecting to hear more news about the family soon, so that will be good.. they might be sending us a picture of the family with their house once its built, so I'll keep you updated.
Another exciting note was that I recieved a letter from Jackie the other day, along with (first time ever!) a letter from her parents! I was very excited.

Jackie is so sweet, as always. I won't put both the letters on, but I will put a portion of each.
Jackie wrote:
"Hi, my aunt, Erin,
I sent you greeting in the name of the lord Jesus- I am your daughter Namulindwa Jackie whom you love very much. Let me frist thank you for the money you are paying for me in Kibaale Community Primary School.
I also thank you very much for a hand ring and letter that you sent to me. I gladly recieved the gift, and it was just so nice and marvelous!
...
It really feels too hot in summer here in Uganda. I have consulted and I have been told that the temperatures are about 42degrees C right now. In winter temperatures can fall to 5degrees C.
...
I appreciated the photo of you and the nice birthday card that you gave me. You are nice!
God be with your life,
Jackie"
By hand ring, she means bracelet- I'm assuming that was part of the translation, not her literal words. :) I love how she went and researched the weather for me.. I think I made a passing comment in the last letter, something like, "Here in Canada it is starting to get cold. Is it still hot in Kibaale?" She's so cute! :D
This is the picture she sent with the letter:


Her parents wrote: (I am writing exactly what they wrote, spelling and all...their English is actually extremely good, as they wrote this themselves, without the translator!)
"Dear Erin Wiebe,
It is high time now to appliciate for what you are doing for Jackie and the family. In fact you have written many letters without repply as a family. You have now written six letters since you started sponsoring Jackie.
We appliciate so much for the gifts you are sending Jackie...
We as a family, we were very excited to hear that jackie got a good sponsor like you!
...
We hope you family is doing well and we are praying for you.
May God give you what you like most and help you in all you are trying too achive.
It is now time to pen off may God keep you for ever and ever, hopping to heare from you as a family stay well
C. K.- father
N. H.- mother"
I love getting letters, and I hope to get more soon!

I have just sent a letter in reply, and a letter to Jackie, and Reagan. I also sent each of them an outfit (Jackie a dress, and Reagan a shirt and shorts) with a teacher from my school who is going out there.

Hopefully he will bring letters back with him!

1 comment:

Nikki said...

Oh my gosh, that is just soo cute!!! I am so glad you were able to raise all that money for her, I can just imagine how thankful she and her family must be. Great job!!!!
Nikki