Since I don't know that I could re-cap the entire past three weeks, I think I will just share some of my favorite experiences. The first occurred the first Saturday that I was here. We took a trip to Jinja to baptize some of the children along with some of the interns in the Nile. It was such an incredible experience to see these children who had been street kids a little over a year ago professing Christ as their Savior and being baptized in His name. It was also so incredible to see Allen, who helped start Sozo and get the home for these 17 kids, get baptized with the children. It was incredible to see where the children are now, knowing where they came from and the struggles they faced in the past. I think God's presence was fully with us throughout that trip, especially looking back at what happened during lunch.
We went to a little cafe for lunch in Jinja with all of the kids, the interns, and the team from Asbury. While we were there I ordered a chicken guacamole wrap which I shared with Mitch and he ordered chicken and chips (french fries) which we also shared. The chicken was like chicken nuggets which made me miss home and chick-fil-a. After eating I went to use the bathroom and when I came back I noticed there were 3 boys sitting at our table that were not ours. I could tell they were street kids because of their clothes. One boy had asked for food, but thought that his friends would get mad at him if he ate something and they saw him. So, we told him to invite his friends to come eat as well. The next thing I knew there were 7 boys sitting there eating with us. The oldest was 14 (I think) and had been living on the streets since he was 4. Can you imagine being 4 years old having to fend for yourself, try to find shelter, food, clothing, and water? I can't. A four year old should be joyful and carefree, oblivious to the hardships of life. What was also incredible to watch during that experience was to see our oldest children talking with the other boys. Hakim, who comes and stays with us on the weekends, was actually the one who discovered the boys and recognized that they were hungry. It was the picture of Sozo being acted out right before our eyes. Our children, who were once hungry and living to survive each day, were now taking care of other children they saw. They were now there, discipling to these seven boys, and sharing with them who Jesus is and the love of Jesus. How cool that all in one day, our children were baptized and also got to share with others about the love of Jesus and why Jesus is their Savior. I am so thankful to have gotten to see this, and to see God moving in our children as they help other children.
In that moment watching those seven children eating and so thankful for food, I was completely humbled and thankful. Here I was, complaining about food I missed from home, when I should have been thankful to be eating. I should have been thankful that I had been fortunate enough to eat breakfast that day, and every other day. I think that God sent those seven children as a reminder to me, to humble me and bring me back to reality. It is so easy to be here and dwell on what I miss from home. The people, the food, the comforts. But I think the Lord is trying to show Himself to me through those things and through the new experiences I am having here. Instead of complaining about the foods I don't like (which, are most) I should just be thankful to be in a home and eating. Instead of complaining about not having consistent electricity, consistently hot water for showers, or any other thing I can complain about- I should be thankful that the Lord is allowing me to see His people and hear their cries. I should be thankful that I am here in this place, and that I have a bed to lay my head on at night, toast to eat in the morning, and running water- whether it's hot or not.
I think God sent me those seven boys that day. That may be selfish of me to think, but in looking into the eyes of those little boys, I saw God. I saw what it was really like to be hungry. I saw what it was like to live day to day and just try to survive through that day. I am thankful that I had that experience and that it reminded me that I am no better than any person. Not a single person. Instead, I should use all that I have been blessed with to serve God's people and help those in need. That's what Christianity is all about, anyway. Showing God's love to others. Helping those who need it. Taking what God has blessed us with, however great or small, and using it to help others. I pray that the Lord continues to show me His children and His people. I pray that He continues to break my heart for what breaks His. I pray that He continues to allow me to be a part of what He is doing in Uganda. I pray that I never forget all that He has blessed me with, and that I never get too comfortable. Instead, I pray that He takes me out of my comfort and teaches me about His people, His grace, and His faithfulness.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25: 34-40.
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