I was dreading the day I had to say goodbye.
I wasn’t ready to leave Mukuno and all my favorites. In a short amount of time these people have stolen my heart.
I was asking the Lord all week long how I can invest in this ministry and stay connected to the people I love so much.
It was Friday evening, my last night at Christ Ambassador Church. I was soaking in all the beautiful voices rising up to the heavens and looking out the window at the bright African sun set in the distance as I see lil Beyonce running towards me with the biggest smile, wearing the same over-sized, tattered shirt she has been wearing all week.
We didn’t know what her name was so we started calling her lil Beyonce and she quickly became a favorite.
As she was sitting on my lap scribbling in my journal, I couldn’t stop loving on her and praying over her- for protection- love- salvation- hope- joy- a bright future…realizing this may be the last time I get to hold her. Before the service ended she ran off before I could even take a picture with her. I asked Momma Frieda if she knew anything about her. She lives in the little shack next to the church. Her family doesn’t come to church and they can’t afford school fees- so she just meanders around.
Out of impulse I stated, “I want her to go to school!”
Not even realizing the next thing that was about to come out of Frieda’s mouth was, “Ok, great! I’ll tell her mom on Monday! She is going to be soooo excited!”
Without me even having time to think about it or pray into it- the Lord made it very clear how I was going to stay connected. Little did I know I was going to be their first sponsor. This was an answer to Pastor Joseph and Frieda’s prayers for child sponsorship.
In the last years, Champions Christian Primary School has tripled their enrollment. They currently educate over 250 students, out of which nearly one hundred of them attend school for free and half of them come from a Muslim family. “If I had my choice,” our pastor, Joseph, told us, “I would let them ALL come for free. But, unfortunately, we have to pay teachers.”
I woke up the next morning with lil Beyonce and her mom so heavy on my heart. I wanted to meet her mom so badly and pray over her. I asked Frieda casually if we were going to the church that morning and she said “No, no one will be going to the church today.”
I didn’t want to say anything. I didn’t want to make it a big deal. I didn’t want to impose, but deep down inside I was screaming.
So, I kept it to myself and the whole morning I couldn’t stop praying for them.
It was the last hour. I was finishing last minute packing when all of a sudden I hear my name being called from outside. I look out the window and to my surprise it’s lil Beyonce and her MOM!!!
Instantly, tears start steaming down my face. I hurry outside to lil Beyonce who runs into my arms.
With tears still in my eyes I give her mom the biggest hug and let her know how much her daughter has touched my life. I find out lil Beyonce is actually lil Catherine.
I share with her mom, Josephine, how much Jesus loves her. And continue to encourage her with everything that the Lord put on my heart. It wasn’t by accident that I met her daughter- and that she was now standing before me. It was a divine appointment in every way.
Josephine is a widow trying to care for her 5 children. Her first husband was a Muslim who left her and her second husband died. Every day she cooks fried bananas on the side of the street, hardly making any money.
The Lord wanted her to know that He has not left her. He is with her and will never forsake her. He loves her and is chasing after her life. He is her provider and is making a way.
Saturday, February 4th, was one of the sweetest days I’ve had. The Lord answered my prayers and He started revealing His deep love to Josephine and Catherine in a whole new way. I was able to pray over Josephine and Catherine- for salvation and a new HOPE and faith in the Lord.
I’m so amazed at the goodness of our Lord. He is soooo good to us.
I’ve been getting updates on my lil Catherine. She just finished her first week of school and has a bright future ahead of her! Catherine is escaping a life of poverty and learning she can dream. She is not only getting an education but also hearing the gospel and receive love when, many times, may not receive it at home. Through her life- I believe her entire family will be saved.
One child.
All it takes is one child to hear about Jesus and then their families get saved.
Educate is not free, rather a privilege in Uganda. It won’t solve every problem but it is a step towards a brighter future.
Currently, they don’t have an official sponsorship program set up. However, since I left on February 4, 40 children have been sponsored!!!
You may check out Ben’s blog from Team Deeper Roots to hear more and how you can be a part of making dreams come true!
