Uganda Movie

I have finally gotten around to making a video for this trip. You can check it out here

I am beyond blessed at how God is using me to show His love in this place and how much love He has shown me through His people here. 

Thank you all for the support and prayers! 

Check out www.pim-africa.org for more information

Reflection

As I sit on the airplane flying home I keep thinking about all the amazing things God has shown me this trip. I am so blessed and grateful for those who have helped spiritually and financially.

Before this trip my dream was to move to Uganda and teach, since this trip thought I have realized that I don’t want to just move to uganda and teach I have to do something more! Waking up and seeing students from different walks of life, seeing teachers copy everything on a chalkboard because they only have 1 copy of a book for class, and seeing classrooms that are partially finished. I saw  all these obstacles as a teacher and student at Good Shepherd Kindergarten (GSK) but amongst all these challenges there is an explainable hope. After talkig to the head teacher about some of the challenges I realized how easy it could be to help but at the same time it would require myself and the average christian american to deny themselves and begin to live a radical life. 

My dream isn’t just to move to Uganda and teach my  dream is to start to live radically and start sponsoring GSK to partner with PIM and KSVS and become united in their vision of building a campus that brings hope, brings love, that brings refuge and brings the Lord into a community that is caught in a viscisous cycle. God is not done with this city and there is no doubt in my mind that He is going to do amazing things in Kamwenge. And when He asks who should I send? I will yell HERE I AM SEND ME!!  

TEXTBOOK CHALLENGE

1 textbook in Uganda costs less than $8, how much does a typical american spend at a coffee shop or fast food restaurant even when there is food in your fridge. The lord has laid it on my heart to raid funds for textbooks for the school and I invite you to join in. My goal is to have raised funds for 500 textbooks by fall. I encourage you to help and think twice before going out to eat and perhaps you can use that money to help students half way across the world get a better learning environment. You could help make a teachers job a little easier among all the other challenges faced day by day. 

Am so blessed to have had this opportunity to be used by God and I am in prayer that I will continue to be used by God in this community. Please message me if you feel lead to help me. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for me, who supported me financially and who donated school supplies for the school! You all will be blessed abundantly! 

Mukama Asiimwe,

Jaimie

 

Journal Entry from 5/24/14

The last couple days at the school have been eye opening to say the least. I keep looking around and asking myself is this really my life.It is crazy to think of how my life would be if I stay in America and teach how wonderful it would be to have a classroom with electricity, air conditioning, a computer, smart board, and  books for every student but even when I think of all that there is nothing I want more than walking past goats and chickens on my way to teach in a classroom with dirt floors, a classroom without computers, a classroom where i have to write everything on a chalk board because there are only 4 books for a class of 19 students. I have found  myself in awe just looking at the view from the classroom and thinking there is no where else I would rather be than right here. Part of me is still unsure of exactly what I should be doing but I know Uganda is my home and I am ready o do whatever the Lord has planned for me. I am so blessed with the prayers and support and hopeful that the Lord will continue to provide when there seems to be no way. I have learned that my thinking is right when I say I can’t do this, and that moving to Uganda is crazy and unrealistic because it’s true.. I can’t do this but I serve a God who is far more powerful than me and the obstacles that arise when planning on moving here! The one lesson  I have learned so far is to trust in the Lord. Give my whole life to Him, all of it, and let go of all control. There is so much going on in my head and heart right now but I know as long as I stay in the Word and trusting in the Lord, rejoicing every day, I will be alright! ALL IS WELL!! 

Uganda Blog- Half Way Point (2 weeks late)

Sorry that I haven’t been able to do daily updates, internet and electricity aren’t extremely accessible here. I have officially been in Uganda for 2 weeks now and have 2 weeks left. The first two weeks were incredible but I know the next two weeks are going to be even more amazing! I am so thankful and so blessed that Shawna was able to come and experience Uganda and see the passion I have for this place first hand! We experienced some crazy things the  first two weeks as well.

1. We got chickens
2. I washed my clothes (attempting to become a true African woman)
3. I peeled matooke (a type of banana)
4. I roasted corn over a charcal burner
5. We were able to pray with families from the school
6. We visited houses around the school
7. We got chased by a hippo
8. We were within 20 feet from an elephant! <— SCARY!! 
9. Shawna almost got chased by an elephant! 
10. We taught people the definition of Selfie and #hashtag
11. We got to play games with the most amazing children! 
12. We went to an Ugandan giveaway and wedding
13. We worshipped the one true God with people who speak another language and live across the world from America!
14. I got a new nickname! 
15. I got to hold a one month old baby
16. I prepared spaghetti for lunch on a charcoal stove
17. I was in the nile river

We took Shawna back to the airport yesterday and then drove back to Mbarara through the night and today I was able to wash my clothes again and am resting, preparing to go to the school tomorrow to spend the remaining of my time loving on students and conducting a teacher workshop for the primary school teachers! 

I am so blessed and can’t wait to see what God continues to do in my heart and my life! 

Thank you for the prayers and support! 

Love,

Nimurungi Jaimie Lynn Towns Village! 

Uganda 2014 Day 2: Amsterdam

We arrived in Amsterdam today and got to shower! Yes, it is the little things like showering that makes travelers smile!

Our plan was to go to a Chinese restaurant one of Shawna's friends told us about then go to a record store to find his record and then visit the ann frank house... We didn't get very far. By the time we got to the hotel and showered it was 3:30 our time. We grabbed our map and started walking to find Wok to Walk. This was probably the coolest Chinese restaurant and it was so delicious!

We were able to sit and take in the culture of Amsterdam, which is extremely fashionable! We then set out to find a record store. Here is what we learn... Don't trust Jaimie with a map! We got turned around more than once and when we finally found the record store but couldn't find her friends record, which was a huge let down.  By the time we found the record store it was around 5:30 and the ann frank house closed at 7 so we weren't able to make it that far. However, walking around the streets of Amsterdam was pretty sweet.





























 All in all I am just ready to be in Uganda and getting tired of traveling. We are getting to bed early tonight and leaving tomorrow morning around 11 our time (5am US time). Will continue to blog as I can but internet in Uganda is not so frequent. Thank you all again for your support and prayer! So excited to see what God does this summer.

ANSWERED PRAYER REQUEST! Rev John is out of bed and seems to be doing better. Continue to pray for healing for fully recovery.

Prayer request:

1. We don't sleep in tomorrow and miss our shuttle back to the airport! 
2. Everything goes smoothly tomorrow morning at the airport
3. For Shawna and I to continue to keep focused on God's plan for this trip and to stay well rested.

Uganda 2014 Day 1 Part 2

Am now sitting in the airport at Houston waiting to board the plane for Amsterdam.

Houston was a blast I was able to leave the airport and see my best friend heather who moved shortly after high school graduation! It was so amazing to get to catch up and do some little sight seeing in Houston as well as get some last minute items we forgot to pack. 

I am excited to continue this journey but continue to ask for prayers, I am stressing about Amsterdam we have to get our luggage to a small hotel and recheck them the following morning. I ask that things run smoothly and everything works out. 

Fear not for I am with you neither be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you I will help you and I will uphold you in my righteous hand. 

   ~Isaiah 41:10

Thank you all for the support! 

God bless,

Jaimie 

Uganda 2014 Day 1

Well, people yelled at me when I told them I would attempt to blog during this trip. Everyone was telling me that I had to so people back home could see what I was doing and that everyone would want to read this. I guess I just struggle with the fact that I probably find things way more interesting when it comes to Uganda but nevertheless here I go. This  will be my blog during this trip and it will be filled with spelling and grammatical errors so just embrace it. 

Am sitting at the airport now and let me tell you an hour of sleep is not enough when you are going on a month mission trip but looking forward to sleeping on the plane rides. 

Highlights of this trip thus far:

1. Smooth sailing through security and check in

2. I FINALLY got caribou coffee!!! 

3. I got to say goodbye to Rachel and the whole Robare clan at their gate! 

4. I don't have to take all my luggage with me when I need to use the restroom or get food because SHAWNA is with me!! 

Needless to say I am beyond blessed and feeling so loved! Thank you all for the support and continued prayers! 

Prayer requests:

1. Rev. John has malaria right now so pray he recovers quickly.

2. For Shawna and I to get the rest we desperately need

3. For our hearts to be open and for God to tear down our walls and allow us to experience His love! 

God bless,

Jaimie