The phone rang, just as the van approached the edge of Rukungiri. It was Emma, our friend from the market, calling to see if we would go see his baby daughter, Samantha.
Ten minutes, and a roller coaster ride of a drive later, we arrived at Emma’s home. His girlfriend greeted us warmly before disappearing into the back of the house. We settled into the sitting room, lit by a single candle.
A photograph hung over Emma’s seat. It was his late aunt, he said. He had come to live with her after his parents and siblings passed away a long time ago. She “kicked the bucket” (his words, not mine) when he was in secondary (high) school, so he inherited her house and her stand at the market.
Orphans need to settle down young, he told us, in order to take care of themselves.
The baby, barely a month old, was sleeping, but her parents woke her up. We took turns holding her, as Emma poured out seven cups of Fanta for us. We passed Samantha off to her mother, and Emma brought out an English Bible. A Passport team (with AIM) had given it to him a few years ago, and he still remembered their names.
He asked our American host, Amanda, to read a few passages. Then, we all prayed for him and his family. It was already dark outside when we left, but Emma insisted on “pushing” (escorting) us home.
We have only been in Uganda for five days, but I have been thinking a lot about what kind of impact Team Liora can have here. Most of our ministry opportunities will be similar to our visit with Emma: a seemingly mundane interaction of day-to-day life. Sometimes, all we have to offer is God’s Word, prayer, and a whole lot of love.
But we are starting to learn that those things are enough. We all felt God’s presence, the Holy Spirit, fill Emma’s home that evening. “You are very welcome,” they tell us. “That’s what we want,” they say when we ask if we can pray for them. As we settle in, we are trying to be intentional about building relationships with the people we meet: the cashier at the supermarket, the boda driver, the guy at the Internet cafe. For now, that’s enough.
Our Internet isn’t quick speedy enough for photos, but I promise we’re taking plenty of them. Team Liora is trying to write about different aspects of our lives here in Uganda, so please check out my teammates’ blogs (on the left sidebar) to read more about what we are up to.
Much love from Rukungiri,
Hannah
