Jackie and Rachel

Christmas 2010 through 2011

"May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill."

Jackie Nabunje to Rachel Gebhardt

Reply from Jackie Nabunje

Hi Rachel.

During the church service where confirmation will be held, a lot of people come to church an unlike the number of confirmed people in your church, here more 30 are always confirmed and a lot of celebrations at the church and respective homes. Our youth is very lively and it is always on fire when we get letters from you people. We are a unique youth group here in Uganda because we have another youth group we relate with outside our country. We are so grateful to God for this blessing. Haven’t you found it a blessing? As sound of Hope youths, we never thought that the Lord will bring our youth groups together. Since we are human beings, we always think that a lot of things are impossible though later the Lord disapproves us by making them possible.

Keep in touch always,

Jackie

Reply from Rachel Gebhardt, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

April 2011

Hi Jackie,

Wow, that's really cool. I wish we had more people confirming at the church. This church has mostly adults except a couple kids. Our youth group has a lot of kids thought, and it's great because we are all close and a wonderful group of friends. Our group is also very unique, other then writing to you; we sponsor a girl from China. Doing both of these things is a wonderful blessing to not only me but our whole youth group. The Lord always surprises us what he brings us, and bringing our two youth groups together is wonderful and I'm so glad we started talking.

Praying for you,

Rachel

Correspondence March 2010 through December 2010

My name is Jackie Nabunje. I am 13 years old and a member of the Sounds of Hope youth program in Uganda. I live at home with my parents, three brothers, four sisters, cattle, goats and poultry. I share a room and my sibling are between the ages of 6 and 15. My chores at home include washing clothes and utensils, digging, cleaning our home and fetching water plus firewood.

I am in the seventh grade and I walk 3 miles, each direction to and from school. My favorite activities are anything involving music. My favorite song is "Our Dear Visitors".

I attend church regularly with my family and my favorite hymn is Maria Nyaffe Ow'ekisa (Mother Mary Help Us). I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

Reply from Rachel Gebhardt, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

" Hey Jackie ... my name is Rachel. I'm 13 years old and in the eighth grade. I love music too! That's really cool that you want to be a doctor. You really have a big family. That's exciting.

My favorite thing about our youth group is being with my friends from all around - different towns and different churches. I have become really close to them. I also enjoy all the activities that we do.

(Back) Chantal, Daniela, Rachel; (seated) Julianne, Linda

My favorite hymn is 'Here I am, Lord'.

Have fun! Write back."

Reply from Jackie Nabunje

Hello Rachel Gebhardt,

Thanks for being my Bible Pal. My dad is Charles and my mom is Dorothy. They are both living. My parents are gardeners. I understand other people when we get together.

Science and English are my favorite subjects in class. Am living with both parents.

Your friend, Jackie

Comment and Challenge from Lindsay Ullmann, United Kingdom

Hi ... my name is Lindsay Ullmann. I started to write poetry when I was your age and it helped me to learn more about myself as a person. I grew to understand that I had to search to just find myself . I am in my 20's and now am a professional songwriter and singer. So if we turn our thoughts around into something positive we can accomplish almost anything - through creativity and spirituality.

Jackie and Rachel, do you feel that you have had a wake up call in life like I had through poetry, when I was your age? If so, would you care to share? Would you agree that creativity and spirituality can help us and also those around us?

Dear Jackie Nabunje,

You're very lucky to be living with both parents. I am as well. My mom is Marcia and my dad is Michael.

I learn a lot from meeting other people in youth group and all the activities either made us closer or learn a lot. My favorite subjects are English and Global. I was just recently confirmed in my church, now i am a full member and i am getting closer to the church and God. I hope you always have faith in everything you do and God Bless you and your family.

Our youth group takes some time off in the summer with only a mountain hike scheduled for August 7th. Then we start our weekly Sunday night meetings in September.

Your friend, Rachel

Reply from Jackie Nabunje

Hi Rachel,

Getting confirmed in the church comes with responsibilities that need to be handled well for the good of the church and one's spiritual growth. All in all I congratulate you upon having gone through that process of the church. How many were confirmed with you on that day. How many were you in preparation for confirmation. Here a confirmation day is a big day and many people turn up for it. It is usually presided over by the Bishop. Is it down by the bishop there also?

Yours in faith,

Jackie

Reply from Rachel Gebhardt, Christians Under the Stairs, Deer Park, New York, USA

Hello Jackie,

When I was confirmed I had a lot of responsibilities; we had to meet up once a month to learn about a lot of things. We also had to take notes every Sunday. Six people in my church were confirmed that day with me. A lot of people were there to see us all and it was a lot of fun. Now I am a teacher at Sunday school and teach young kids about God. How is your youth group, what activities do you do? I hope to hear that your family is well and that everyone is keeping their faith. Keep in touch (:

Bye Bye,

Rachel.