We were driving through what we call a “village.” The bumpy dirty road was made for only one car. As we drive by houses, kids pop out, waving hi and yelling “muzungu.” We are following the car in front of us that has another American in it. Matthew, who we met two weeks ago, is in Uganda working with a ministry called The Shepherd Centre, which was started several years ago by a Ugandan named Patrick.
We weren’t sure where they were leading us as the road continues to curve, but we eventually pulled up to a gated in house. The gates opened up and about 25 boys were standing in the yard, waiting to greet us. Matthew and Patrick shuffled us into the home. The home was unfinished, but very large compared to other Ugandan homes. The floors were made of dirt and cement, but there were several couches for us all to sit on.
We weren’t sure what to expect, except that we would be playing soccer during our visit. We took a seat and shortly after, Patrick organized all of the boys in a group in the front of the room. We all introduced ourselves and the boys shared their ages and where they were at in school. Their ages ranged from 3-18. They then asked if they could sing us some songs, so they started with a Ugandan song and ended with “Lean On Me”. The boys were all somewhat shy, huddling close together, but brightened up as they sang to us.
The least expected moment came next. My eyes began to fill with tears as one of the boys, Joshua, shared his story with us. His English was wonderful, and unlike most, he was easy to understand. He told us about how he had been living on the streets for seven years before Patrick found him. Everyone he came across on the street looked down on him and called him names, and he felt like there was no hope for him to ever go anywhere in his life. He was a “street kid” and nothing more, until he met Patrick.
Joshua told us that when he met Patrick, everything changed. Before Patrick came into his life, he used to eat food that we would say no human should eat, but now he is fed and nourished. Before Patrick, he used to sleep on the streets, but now he has a blanket and a roof to sleep under. Before Patrick, he was beat on the streets, but now as he walks through a crowd, he is respected and seen as a human. Before Patrick, he never thought he would have a future, but now he is in school, gaining an education.
Schooling in Uganda is not free, so getting Joshua and the other boys into school has not been an easy task, but Patrick has not given up on any of them. Through several sponsorships and a spirit of not taking no for an answer, he has gotten all 25 boys into schools.
After working through tears and the pain of his story, Joshua wrapped up by thanking the man he and the boys all call “Uncle Patrick.” Joshua knows that without God, he would not be where he is today. He told how he used to suffer, but is now blessed with a hope for a future. He takes so much pride in being able to attend school; he has not missed a day since he was enrolled. He dreams of attaining a degree in engineering and opening his own business some day. Joshua is no longer a street boy, but a respected man of God.
Thanks to The Shepherd Centre, all 25 boys are no longer street kids. Patrick has taken 9 into his home and the rest he has been able to place in school dormitories. I feel fortunate to have stumbled upon this ministry and be able to spend the day with all of these boys.
Sometimes, it just takes one man who is willing to follow God’s calling on his life to change the lives of many. Patrick’s work doesn’t stop here. There are still about another 30 boys on the streets of Kabale that he hopes to rescue. He knows it’ll take time, but he isn’t about to give up on them.
The boys from the Shepherd Centre, Matthew (the tall American in the middle) and Patrick (in the green on the right).
The home where the boys all find shelter. Patrick and his family live here with them all. Their hope is to continue expanding so that they can provide shelter for more boys.
