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James and Claire's Sept/Oct Update
The Gibsons in Uganda
Merry Christmas!
Wishing you God's Blessing in 2017
 
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."
Luke 2:13-16

Vets vets and more vets!

It's now the Christmas break and Emily and I are breathing a sigh of relief at having a few days break.

A couple of months ago, shortly after our last newsletter, Makerere University was beset by strikes and disruptions from staff and students. As this was a repeating pattern that seemed to be rearing it's head every term, Uganda's President decided it was best to close the University. Sadly, this left students without courses to attend and this semester's work unfinished. The hope is that the University will reopen in early January.

As mentioned last time, Emily and I had been continuing our work with the USPCA shelter on the other side of Kampala. Emily put a request to her sending agency, Christian Veterinary Mission for help with the large numbers of surgeries the USPCA needed to catch up with. In response, we had four sets of visiting vets over the last five weeks.

Emily was hosting them and we travelled together to the USPCA every day. To make the most of the opportunity, we got in touch with final year students and used the USPCA as a satellite training facility for four students each week. Students were given intensive training in clinical examinations, anaesthetic dose calculation, anaesthetic monitoring, surgical preparation and technique. In addition we were able to pray and share stories of faith and veterinary life with them. 

We are very grateful to Dr Robin, Dr Lisa, Tom, Dr Kim, Dr Joe and Amy for all their hard work and for giving up their time to help the students and the USPCA. Over seventy five successful surgeries were performed during this time. 
 
The last team of surgeons: Me, Abdul, Amy, Phillip, Priscilla, Emily, Nelson and Dr Joe. Dr Benard joins in teaching James, whilst Abdul monitors the anaesthesia. Abdul, Arnold, Charity and James.
A Busy Term and a Race towards Christmas

This term has had many highlights: Successful sporting achievements, Whole School Thanksgiving, BBQ, Project Based Learning, Charity fund raising, Christmas performances and finally the Christmas holidays!

Project Based Learning took place in the last week of term. This meant that many students had the opportunity to look at learning in a hands on and very practical way. Grade 6 designed a French App and enjoyed a French cafe set up in school. Grade 9 and 10 had the opportunity to look at flight and spent time studying the application of Physics and Maths used in aviation. They even took a short aeroplane ride over Kampala and Lake Victoria!

Some classes have been able to go away on a retreat for a couple of days, for fun, bonding and a chance to spend time thinking about how our faith impacts our lives. James went as a helper with Grade 6 and I went with Grade 7 and even found myself kayaking on the Nile.
 
Mission Aviation Fellowship flight with Grade 9 and 10. Flying a radio controlled plane to learn about the physics of flight. French cafe at Acacia.
Sports and Shows

All three girls enjoy sports and this term has given them the opportunity to join some of the school teams and enjoy different activities. Ruby has been part of the 11 and under basketball and football teams. The basketball team had an almost unbeaten season and finished runners up in the International School's league. She has also been enjoying Ultimate Frisbee in after school club.

Jess has also been playing football and enjoys sewing and jewellery making clubs.

Florence has made a quilt in sewing club and a piggy bank in craft club.

The school Christmas performance had contributions from the Junior and Senior schools and was a wonderful night. 
Ruby in the Senior School Choir. Jessica ribbon dancing. Florence as a dancing sheep. Ruby singing and Jess as InnKeeper Number 2.
Happy Christmas and Thank you!

We are so grateful to all our family, friends and supporters who have enabled us to continue to serve God in Uganda this year. We pray you have a peaceful and blessed Christmas time.
James' attempt at Christmas cake. Fun with Christmas hats.
Non Uniform day, Theme-Christmas!

Prayer points

 
  • Give thanks for a good term at Acacia and pray for rest and recuperation for teachers and students.
  • Give thanks for the successful season with short- termers at the USPCA. Pray for the people that visited, that God would continue to work in their lives.
  • Pray for a peaceful re-opening of Makerere University and that the lost time would be made up.
  • Pray for peace across the world at this time of uncertainty and war in so many places
James and Claire's Christmas 2016 Newsletter 
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