Our school year in Uganda runs from January-December. Our "summer" vacation begins the 1st week in December and lasts until the end of January. Many of our children who live on site with us have relatives in their home villages. The relative might be an aunt or uncle, an older brother or sister or for some, a mother. During this holiday time many of our children spend a few weeks with their extended family. What they find when they reach their home village is varied:both good and bad influences; social or religious pressure to conform to community norms; and regular ole peer pressure. With his usual enthusiasm and humor, Uncle Jonnes addresses the secondary school students.
The importance of preparing our children for what they might see and experience when on holiday cannot be understated. Uncle Jonnes released the staff from their usual work for the day making us available to counsel and pray with the students once he had 
addressed each group. This photo is of Nabukeera, one of our dear David family girls, reading a Bible passage, chosen by Uncle Jonnes, to the secondary school students. The majority of Jonnes' words were devoted to ensuring the students know how much we love and care for them. I was very encouraged by the attention and respect they gave to him, as well as elated to see the effort they put into reflecting on the specific challenges of what they might face. We as staff spoke one on one with many of the students before praying together in smaller groups. The morning was spent with the secondary students, followed by an assembly with the primary school students. Uncle Jonnes spoke with passion and fervor. He highlighted their accomplishments, congratulated them on finishing the year well, and challenged them to remain faithful to the truths of the gospel during their few weeks away from New Hope. Sitting amongst FAMILY--witnessing the love the staff has for the kids and the kids' appreciation for our efforts to prepare them, smiles exchanged--there is no other place I'd rather be!
"As you go . . .go prepared."
addressed each group. This photo is of Nabukeera, one of our dear David family girls, reading a Bible passage, chosen by Uncle Jonnes, to the secondary school students. The majority of Jonnes' words were devoted to ensuring the students know how much we love and care for them. I was very encouraged by the attention and respect they gave to him, as well as elated to see the effort they put into reflecting on the specific challenges of what they might face. We as staff spoke one on one with many of the students before praying together in smaller groups. The morning was spent with the secondary students, followed by an assembly with the primary school students. Uncle Jonnes spoke with passion and fervor. He highlighted their accomplishments, congratulated them on finishing the year well, and challenged them to remain faithful to the truths of the gospel during their few weeks away from New Hope. Sitting amongst FAMILY--witnessing the love the staff has for the kids and the kids' appreciation for our efforts to prepare them, smiles exchanged--there is no other place I'd rather be!
"As you go . . .go prepared."
Our primary school students listened, watched and laughed as an animated Uncle Jonnes entertained with full-body illustrations of what he wants them to remember!
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