Written 08/13/2010
There I was, at Budadiri Primary and Boarding School for
Girls in Kalowa Parish, standing in front of the smallest group of school
children I have ever addressed in Africa while on The
World Race.
Girls in Kalowa Parish, standing in front of the smallest group of school
children I have ever addressed in Africa while on The
World Race.
Sixty students, staring at me and my translator at the front
of the class, waiting to see what I had to say to them that particular day.
of the class, waiting to see what I had to say to them that particular day.
Ten minutes earlier, the head teacher had handed me a piece
of paper with the name of the classroom I would be going to written on it.
of paper with the name of the classroom I would be going to written on it.
The Unit.
I could hardly remember being as excited for ministry as I
was in that moment, holding that piece of paper.
was in that moment, holding that piece of paper.
As the head teacher had explained, The Unit was a group of
sixty students (boys and girls) who were deaf.
sixty students (boys and girls) who were deaf.
Budadiri is the only school in the area with a program
designed for them – the social norm in Uganda
is to ostracize the deaf.
designed for them – the social norm in Uganda
is to ostracize the deaf.
They can’t hear, so why bother with educating them, right?
But this program at Budadiri educates the deaf in their
community, and teaches them job skills so they can go on to accomplish things
in life.
community, and teaches them job skills so they can go on to accomplish things
in life.
With the translator assisting me, I was able to spend at
least thirty minutes with the Unit.
least thirty minutes with the Unit.
God made sure I told them the truth about who they are –
His beautiful creation, made exactly as He designed them to
be, and for His purposes.
be, and for His purposes.
I got to hear each of their names, and share a little bit
about myself and where I come from.
about myself and where I come from.
It was, in some ways, like being at home with my brother
James.
James.
All the things that were on my heart came out of my mouth,
and it was good.
and it was good.
The highlight of the morning, though, was when they sang for
me.
me.
Not a sound came from their lips, but those two songs were
the most beautiful I had ever heard.
the most beautiful I had ever heard.
And I know God was even more enthralled with them than I
was.
was.
I can’t even begin to tell you how special this group of
boys and girls is, especially in facing the odds they face every day.
boys and girls is, especially in facing the odds they face every day.
Or how much I praise God that even here in Africa, there are
people who see life in the midst of brokenness and are willing to put
everything they have into giving that life a fighting chance.
people who see life in the midst of brokenness and are willing to put
everything they have into giving that life a fighting chance.
Every life is precious, every life is valuable. And God
doesn’t mess up when He brings things to life.
doesn’t mess up when He brings things to life.
That’s what I can tell you.
