We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
* GRATITUDE *
All of us at Align want to extend our sincere thanks to you for your ongoing, faithful support. Through your generosity, we enable our Ugandan partners to be the hands and feet of Jesus to so many in desperate need in Central Uganda. We are also excited to watch God working to do even greater things through our partnership. Read on to learn the highlights from this year, prayers for next year, and changes being made to facilitate and enhance all we are doing together.
Praises in 2025
- Funding raised to build two dormitories which will enable Donela High School to be fully certified as a boarding school. This should attract many more students to enroll.
- New Align staff hired to both replace those leaving as well as better support our existing volunteers.
- 66 sponsorships filled and only nine more needing to be filled to be fully funded in 2025.
- New children to be addedto our Life with Hope sponsorship program, including nine in the Life Home Village.
Prayers for 2026
Quick transition for new staff. Good health for Align volunteers and staff. Sponsors for new children being added to the Life with Hope sponsorship program.
Staffing Changes at Align
Sheri, with her husband Tim, and five sons Ben, Caleb, Isaac, Micah, and Nehemiah.
SHERI LINDQUIST
~ Child Sponsorship ~
My name is Sheri Lindquist. I am the wife of Tim, a fine artist, and mom to five amazing young men. Although I am a native Texan, I have spent the majority of my life in California. I have worked in printing and design, as a stylist in professional photography, and spent 30 years homeschooling my children. I have a passion for working with children, lately helping to start a special needs program at our church. Missions has been dear to my heart since coming to know Jesus at 11 years old. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to work with Align, making a difference in the lives of the precious children and widows of Uganda.
Hannah, with her husband Brandon, son Logan, and dog Moose.
HANNAH GHERARDI
~ Operations and Events ~
Hi! I'm Hannah Gherardi. My husband, Brandon, and I are both 29, and we just welcomed our first child in mid-October - baby boy Logan. We both grew up in the South Bay area and now live in Lomita, where we love spending time outside with our dog "Moose". I love cooking and baking for my friends and family, so if you have any fun recipes to share, please send them my way!! I first learned about Align through Barbara and Joe Jackson at The River Church of the South Bay. The more I heard, the more interested I became. With a degree in Intercultural Studies from Biola, I’ve always hoped to work directly with a global nonprofit, though most of my experience up to now has been supporting global ministries on the church side. My life’s passion is to see the local church catch a vision for what God is doing globally - whether that’s expressed through my work or simply through everyday conversations with the people in my life. I’m excited to work at Align as I will be able to work directly with a global nonprofit.
Summer with her husband Tanner and son Lincoln.
SUMMER NOVAK
~ Operations ~
Hi everyone, I'm Summer and my husband’s name is Tanner. I just turned 30 but he's still 29. We have one son, Lincoln, who is the light of our lives. We’ve both lived in Orange County most of our lives and love it here. We have two kitties named "Chester" and "Cheese" and they are our silly little gooses. I love to sew, bake and do little crafts with our son. Our current favorite thing to all do together is go to Disneyland. My interest with Align started with my parents, Brian and Stacey Meadows who both serve on Align's Board of Directors. They have volunteered their time and done several mission trips while helping get the word out about God through their dedicated efforts with Align. The beautiful success stories they share have always inspired me which motivated me to work at Align. I’m very excited to work with everyone doing good things in God's name in Uganda!
Align Trip to Uganda
The Kong and Nicklas families will be going with Joe and Barbara Jackson to Uganda leaving February. Our pickleball friends in OC continue to pray if this is the time for them to come visit Uganda. We ask that you pray for all of us who are committed or contemplating the 2026 trip.
We're especially excited for this visit as we will be there to celebrate the grand opening of the Donela High School in its new location in Wobulenzi!
Of course we'd love for you to join us too. For more information, please contact Barbara at [email protected] or 310-218-8689. Hope to see you in Uganda!
* Take a sneak peek at recent photos of Donela High construction below *
Finishing touches on the high school above and below
Beginning work on the dormitories above and below
Two HIV+ Widows Need New Sponsors
As we mentioned in our last email, Align also has HIV+ widows in our Life with Hope Sponsorship Program. Thankfully one of our supporters recently decided to sponsor Joyce who we highlighted in our last newsletter. We still have two HIV+ widows who have been in our sponsorship program for several years that need new sponsors.
- Margret Nakato -
Despite her poor health, Margret remains courageous and happy living in the town of Kakooge. She was able to attend school as a young girl, and went all the way through primary grade 7, equivalent to finishing intermediate school in the U.S. Now Margret spends her days cooking, gardening, and gathering firewood to care for her family. Her health is improving as she takes ARVs from Kakooge Health Center, and she receives counseling to support her emotional well-being. Margret attends United Christian Centre and her faith is growing strong. She prays for God to continue protecting her children and is especially grateful that her son, who had an accident last year, has recovered well. She gives all the glory and honor to God. Despite facing many challenges, Margret’s resilience and faith shine through.
If Margret's story is moving your heart, just click here to sponsor
- Justine Namuddu -
Justine is unable to work to support herself, so she lives with her grandchildren where she gathers firewood and cooks if her health allows. She's managing well and is in fair health overall. Justine has a calm and happy personality. She finds comfort in her faith and enjoys spending time at church. Her biggest dream is to see her grandchildren grow up healthy and strong in peace and safety.
To help Justine, please click here.
~ Child Sponsorship ~
My name is Sheri Lindquist. I am the wife of Tim, a fine artist, and mom to five amazing young men. Although I am a native Texan, I have spent the majority of my life in California. I have worked in printing and design, as a stylist in professional photography, and spent 30 years homeschooling my children. I have a passion for working with children, lately helping to start a special needs program at our church. Missions has been dear to my heart since coming to know Jesus at 11 years old. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to work with Align, making a difference in the lives of the precious children and widows of Uganda.
Hannah, with her husband Brandon, son Logan, and dog Moose.
HANNAH GHERARDI
~ Operations and Events ~
Hi! I'm Hannah Gherardi. My husband, Brandon, and I are both 29, and we just welcomed our first child in mid-October - baby boy Logan. We both grew up in the South Bay area and now live in Lomita, where we love spending time outside with our dog "Moose". I love cooking and baking for my friends and family, so if you have any fun recipes to share, please send them my way!! I first learned about Align through Barbara and Joe Jackson at The River Church of the South Bay. The more I heard, the more interested I became. With a degree in Intercultural Studies from Biola, I’ve always hoped to work directly with a global nonprofit, though most of my experience up to now has been supporting global ministries on the church side. My life’s passion is to see the local church catch a vision for what God is doing globally - whether that’s expressed through my work or simply through everyday conversations with the people in my life. I’m excited to work at Align as I will be able to work directly with a global nonprofit.
Summer with her husband Tanner and son Lincoln.
SUMMER NOVAK
~ Operations ~
Hi everyone, I'm Summer and my husband’s name is Tanner. I just turned 30 but he's still 29. We have one son, Lincoln, who is the light of our lives. We’ve both lived in Orange County most of our lives and love it here. We have two kitties named "Chester" and "Cheese" and they are our silly little gooses. I love to sew, bake and do little crafts with our son. Our current favorite thing to all do together is go to Disneyland. My interest with Align started with my parents, Brian and Stacey Meadows who both serve on Align's Board of Directors. They have volunteered their time and done several mission trips while helping get the word out about God through their dedicated efforts with Align. The beautiful success stories they share have always inspired me which motivated me to work at Align. I’m very excited to work with everyone doing good things in God's name in Uganda!
Align Trip to Uganda
The Kong and Nicklas families will be going with Joe and Barbara Jackson to Uganda leaving February. Our pickleball friends in OC continue to pray if this is the time for them to come visit Uganda. We ask that you pray for all of us who are committed or contemplating the 2026 trip.
We're especially excited for this visit as we will be there to celebrate the grand opening of the Donela High School in its new location in Wobulenzi!
Of course we'd love for you to join us too. For more information, please contact Barbara at [email protected] or 310-218-8689. Hope to see you in Uganda!
* Take a sneak peek at recent photos of Donela High construction below *
Finishing touches on the high school above and below
Beginning work on the dormitories above and below
Two HIV+ Widows Need New Sponsors
As we mentioned in our last email, Align also has HIV+ widows in our Life with Hope Sponsorship Program. Thankfully one of our supporters recently decided to sponsor Joyce who we highlighted in our last newsletter. We still have two HIV+ widows who have been in our sponsorship program for several years that need new sponsors.
- Margret Nakato -
Despite her poor health, Margret remains courageous and happy living in the town of Kakooge. She was able to attend school as a young girl, and went all the way through primary grade 7, equivalent to finishing intermediate school in the U.S. Now Margret spends her days cooking, gardening, and gathering firewood to care for her family. Her health is improving as she takes ARVs from Kakooge Health Center, and she receives counseling to support her emotional well-being. Margret attends United Christian Centre and her faith is growing strong. She prays for God to continue protecting her children and is especially grateful that her son, who had an accident last year, has recovered well. She gives all the glory and honor to God. Despite facing many challenges, Margret’s resilience and faith shine through.
If Margret's story is moving your heart, just click here to sponsor
- Justine Namuddu -
Justine is unable to work to support herself, so she lives with her grandchildren where she gathers firewood and cooks if her health allows. She's managing well and is in fair health overall. Justine has a calm and happy personality. She finds comfort in her faith and enjoys spending time at church. Her biggest dream is to see her grandchildren grow up healthy and strong in peace and safety.
To help Justine, please click here.