“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach
Where to even begin. To catch up on life for the past few
weeks would be nearly impossible. Joy. Strength. Happiness. They all have
played a role in the daily life here in Uganda.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and
be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Like when Dennis and Julius run inside and yell “Auntie, come and take a
picture of this,” only to walk outside and find them all gathered around the little
white table that overlooks the area where you find children running around in
the afternoons. As I get closer I find them ready to dig into an afternoon
snack. Some of the food they have brought home from school, some are leftovers
from lunch that day and then they’ve put some of their money together to buy a
fanta that will be shared amongst the 10 or so ready to tear through their
snack. They then go on to taking turns serving each other as they laugh and
enjoy each others company.
I snap a photo and then sit back and enjoy this
moment. I soak in the fact that they are learning to share. And then rejoice
because at the end of the day, these are brothers and sisters doing what normal
brothers and sisters do, loving and serving each other. This moment was
actually captured in a picture. But then there was the moment when Norah closed
out last night’s devotion with prayer. She quite possibly prayed one of the
sweetest prayers these two ears had ever heard. She began with asking each of
us to close our eyelashes and then proceeded to thank the Lord for all they
have. For the opportunity to have their school fees paid. For the blessings
each one of them has received. For the sponsors in each of their lives that
help fund their daily lives. For the privilege to have moms and dads who love
them in the house while there are many other children who don’t get to say
that. And most importantly for what the Lord is doing in their lives. Thank you
Lord for being so deeply rooted in these children at such a young age.
And then there is house three. I cannot go without
mentioning what those young men and women have taught me in the time that I
have been able to spend with them since arriving in Uganda. This in fact was
the first time meeting most of them because when I visited in October most of
them were all boarding in school on the other side of Kampala. I have never
been more thankful to have them so close to us now. They are special. They are
pushing through school and striving to be top in their classes. I have been so
impressed with how well they are adjusting to their new schools since the move
in December. They are meeting friends and getting involved. Some of the boys
are playing in soccer leagues that were created within their secondary schools.
It’s a pleasure to see Sunday and Hakim run up and down the soccer field with
their team during a soccer match on Sunday afternoon.
Then there is Hakim,
Kenneth and Samuel who have started an apprenticeship at a garage downtown.
They travel to town six days a week and work from 8-5. They are not only
learning about how to fix cars, how to drive and many other important skills
needed to know in life, but they are gaining wisdom, knowledge and discipline that
they will need to individually excel in life as they get older. They are taking
it seriously and absolutely love it. I am so thankful that Sozo has given them
an opportunity to do this. It’s an honor to sit and watch them shine in
something they are passionate about. Something that is going to be used and
will make a difference in many lives over the years to come.
I never could have dreamed that my heart could grow such a deep
love for the older ones the way that is has so quickly. But that is where the
Lord quickly shows up and says “these are my children too.” They make mistakes
and you love them through them. They hold tight to the things you say. And they
understand that they are privileged to be where they are today. Some easily
forget the older ones as they are sometimes harder to take in when they have
been exposed to so much more than we want to think about, but then I once again
count my blessings as the Lord has allowed us to open a door to them and extend
His grace and mercy to them daily.
“I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you
with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in
love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep in the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that
you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19
I am moving in to my last week here in Uganda with all
intentions to soak up and enjoy every second of my time left here. The days
have flown by. I have grown to love the permanent dirt that cover the bottoms
of my feet, the sweat that pours like a river as soon as you walk out the door
and even the roosters crowing at all hours of the day. I am reminded of His
beauty from the time the sun rises in the morning until that final look up at
the brightest stars I have ever seen as I head into the house each night. This
place gets more beautiful as the days pass. Praising Him for the opportunity to
be here.
“In everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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