Every child deserves a chance to
just be a kid. Unfortunately, not
every kid in this world is afforded that opportunity. In doing ministry all over the world this year I have seen
more injustice than I would like to admit. In fact I have witnessed many things in this world that are
just flat out not ok. Its one of
those things that make me uncomfortable to think about; the fact that there is
such a vast difference between the haves and the have not’s. And even more uncomfortable that many
of those who have are oblivious that the have not’s even exist. Bringing it to a whole other level,
that many who have are aware but just sit and stare at poverty like it is a
circus show rather than feeling a moral responsibility to do something about
human suffering that takes place in this world.
So what do you so with that
uncomfortable feeling that turns your stomach when you sleep at night? You choose to move to action and do
something about it. This last
month in Kisoro, Uganda my team had the distinct privilege of working at an
orphanage and childcare center called Potter’s Village. This facility is a beacon of light in a
world of injustice. They provide a
home, hands on care, and medical treatment to young children whose families are
unable to take care of them. If it
were not for potter’s village many of these beautiful children would be
starving, literally. Some of them
may die due to lack of medical treatment and they certainly wouldn’t get the
hands on attention and love that every child in this world deserves. Some of
them might be in abusive homes and others may be abandoned to fend for
themselves on the street, a death sentence at such a young age. The goal of potter’s village is to help
their families to create a stable home environment and find jobs so the
children can eventually go back to their biological parents. If that goal is unreachable they strive
to find a healthy and stable home that these precious little ones can go to. In the mean time, they live and get to
be kids at potter’s village!
Part of our ministry this month was
helping to build a playground for these amazing children of our king. There are Peace Corps and VSO
volunteers who work at Potter’s Village long term. One of them is an engineer in the UK and has designed the
most glorious playground Uganda has ever seen, complete with a life size boat,
swings, a teeter totter, nets to climb on, musical instruments, a car to climb
in, and even a stream running under a bridge. There are even big domes created to make shade and a cool
place to play on hot days for the really little ones. As we worked my heart was full of joy know that in this
place kid’s would get to simple be kids.
For a moment, they would not be poor, starving, abused, and
parentless. They would be full of
laughter, joy, imagination, and wonder.
This was truly a place where their fears and worries could wash away and
they could just play like the children they are. So each post that I painted and each nail that I hit had a
purpose, a plan, and a prayer.
Each hole I dug was a way to look the hell of injustice in the eyes and
declare that this place was of God and for His Glory for the love of his
children.
One thing I have learned this year
is that if you look at all the worlds’ problems, all the injustice that goes on
each and every moment of the day, life becomes overwhelmingly unbearable. But when you go after the one, solve
one issue, feed one person, love one kid, give one hug you chip away the
darkness and it begins to crumble.
The enemy is already defeated and light will invade this earth. Injustice one day will not stand. Until then you will find me feeding one
mouth, giving one hug, loving one kid, praying one prayer, and building one
playground one at a time until heaven invades earth.
