February 27, Kenya
(en route to Tanzania)
I am sorry for the delay in blogs, we have been in Paidha, Uganda and the internet is among the many things that aren’t really that important to survival.
Before we left Kenya for Uganda, Pastor Joseph told us that there were greater things ahead. We were all sad to leave him and all the things that God was doing in his ministry, but he assured us that God doesn’t promote you to demote you. He made us believe in what he described as the greater glory. That we would continue to walk into that on this trip and in our lives. The theory sounded good and even hopeful but I was a little skeptical that God could do better than this man we all loved and respected. And as the days went on, although looking for it, I was hard pressed to find the greater glory. I wondered if the 7 hour bus ride in 100 degree temperatures had anything to do with the higher glory. I began to think that he was crazy about this theory as I learned how to go to the bathroom in a squatty outhouse. My chacos will never be the same!
But then I met him. A little boy named Jonathan. He is 8 years old and precious. If I had room in my pack, I would take him with me. He has the heart of a servant and is a true worshiper. He ushered me into the presence of God each time he led worship with the rest of the young people in the praise and worship team. He is special, set a part even. And as each day unfolded, amongst the intense heat, sickness, and squatty training, I realized that God’s greater glory came in the form of this young man.
Jonathan was shy to begin with. He was timid to approach us. Part of that might have been our skin color and the other part might have been our language. But once we crossed the barrier it was never the same. Each night we would have an English lesson. I taught him words and sentences that he could practice on us, like “what is your favorite color?” and “what is today?” and he taught me the value of education, the love of God, and the beauty of pouring yourself into someone. I looked forward to our lesson each night. And I like to think that he did too. I mean, he left a full day of school and came back home for more learning. This young man is smart and he made me feel like I had a purpose and like I was changing a life.
Teaching English may seem simple, but education in Uganda is nothing like I have seen before. And especially, where we were ion Paidha, it is of even less importance. Survival is more important than education because to them, really, what will education do when you can’t feed your family. The cycle is disturbing and I don’t know how to change it. And it made me sad to walk out of that village where Jonathan lives, on our last day, knowing that he doesn’t know anything else. That he doesn’t know that there is a huge world out there for him to experience and change. I realize teaching him his colors may not be the catalyst for this change but it was something. It was anything. It was what I felt like I could do at the moment.
And as I look back, I realize it was the package God used to show me the greater glory Joseph was talking about. There is more. There always is. Even when it looks like you might sweat to death or have to throw away your chacos! I am just praying that Jonathan will know that. There is more, Jonathan. So much more!
