This is where the boys spend a lot of their time and sometimes sleep in potato sacks here
Here is the email I sent to Rosalie as soon as I got home:
Hello Everyone-
Newest update.. this is what I emailed Rosalie this afternoon after spending the morning with the boys and Steve a man from the church who has been involved and helping translate. I had the best morning getting to share a meal with them, hear their hearts, about their lives, their families before, and their dreams. These boys have been so chosen by the Lord, and are just marked to be such a change in this area. They accepted the Lord in their life this week, and getting time to just pour into them how much the Lord loves them, is seeking them, and is the one opening these doors and providing for them was incredible. I wish you could all see their faces light up when I told them “there are people all around the world who have seen your handsome faces and are praying for you and love you!” That God has his eye on them, and that I believe in them, the Lord believes in them. Joseph is so shy and cute and I got to hug him non stop this morning and he just melts, he is a big softy. They both just want to be loved, and to get to speak that into them all morning was incredible. I am so humbled and blessed. One of the most important things for them to understand and hold onto as truth is that they are loved by God the Father- and that they operate out of that. ” I am loved, I am loved I am loved..”
SO there is much to tell you and update! I have been talking to the church we have been working with here in Busia and their pastor, Rosemary. She wants to be involved, and said that if they needed a place to stay on breaks if attending the school in Kampala, then she would make sure it was provided. I still think it would be better for them if a family in kampala felt lead to take them in on breaks so that they do have a good cut off and time away from the life they have known here.
I have talked to them, and also been praying as have so many people, and feel like the best option is the school that is is near you or Wabigalo primary- if they board. Whatever in that regard you feel is the best option, I just know they are meant to be in kampala, and near you and the church. You should see their faces light up when getting a hug or just being smiled at or told they are loved. I want someone near them who can be there for them in that way, to constantly share the father’s heart with them, that they are loved and worthy. I know you have a heart for the children here, and getting them off of the streets, and with what you are doing with the church, and being obedient to God’s calling you to Uganda, but would you be willing to follow through with these boys as well?
If you are willing to help get them in one of the schools, Several people have responded to helping them financially and getting the money to you for whatever they might need. I have one lady in Portland who used to host our bible study, she is a good friend. her name is Kathie Moran, and she is just waiting to hear more details on how she can help financially. I want to help support their immediate needs to get them there and started, and then whatever I can after that as well. And there are others who said they can help some. I am going to ask the director of missions at our little church in portland announce it on sunday to see if anyone feels lead to come forward and help. ( Heidi- would you be willing to share these emails, or put an announcement in if possible??)
A couple of questions: Is the school open now? Would we be able to move quickly. i have been praying the Lord would let me bring them to kampala to meet you and get them settled in, and that would mean bringing them Sunday or Monday… because that is when i am leaving here, and I would just leave my team for a day or two, whatever it took..The best timing for me and for them would be to leave tomorrow for Kampala, but we wouldn’t arrive until about 6 or 7. I could stay the night with them near you or with you, wherever we could stay, and then get them settled in Monday morning, and then i would travel back to Jinja to be with my team.. I know this is all so fast and rushed, but if it’s possible I think quicker is better, and the Lord is really leaving doors open for that to be possible.
As for the boys themselves I spent 4 hours with them this morning getting all of their information with the help of someone at the church. I’ll start with Juma Rajab Junior. He goes by Rajab and is 14. His mom died when he was 8 years, and his dad was out of sorts for a while after. Apparently they had a good marriage, and he really cared about her, so their family fell apart when she died. After some time his dad remarried 2 wives. I think the usual scenario where they don’t know he already has kids when they marry him, nor do they know he has another wife. it happens all the time here, and it is so sad for the women involved, but also the children who are poorly treated, because of the hurt the women are feeling. The ” this isn’t what I signed up for” thing.
His father was involved with smuggling from Kenya, and ended up getting arrested. Then once he was released he got involved with smuggling again, and into trouble with the people he was working with and disappeared, he has not been seen since. The step mother he was living with said your father is no longer here “leave” and kicked him out. He has 2 brothers that were staying with the first step mother in Mbale, and she did the same to them and left for Kenya. They are staying with an uncle. The only family he has in Busia, Uganda now is an uncle who doesn’t care for him, but he goes to check in with once in a while. His uncle’s name is Ibraham Murukuru. Rajab has been living on the streets permanently for the last 5 months. He has been involved with the chemical they call “tina” a chemical you put on a cloth and sniff, but is not heavily addicted.
We talked to both him and Joseph about the letting go of old things, and how it would mess up all their chances, and these amazing plans the Lord has set before them, and they were both in agreement to watch out for one another. When feeling like they want to use sniff a “tina” they will find someone to talk to and pray, and replace it with something else… this would probably be you a lot of the time if you are willing Rosalie. They were so open and honest about everything and I think the Lord’s timing is so divine that they ended up on the streets at the exact same time, and God set them aside to me together, to keep them together as brothers. Rajab wants to be a doctor, and he has finished primary 4. He is so smart, and it’s really clear he is driven, and protective, honest. He can write some, but I don’t know his skills after that. His birthday is October 14th.
Joseph Abudallah is 12 years old. Pronounced Yusef. He doesn’t know his birthday so we made one up. He picked April 12th. He did live with his mother and father, but his father was very abusive. His father would tie them in the house and beat them. One day the neighbors saw, and the police came and he was arrested. He was also in Mbale, and his mother brought him to Busia, Uganda to be with a brother and left. She wanted to get away and just disappeared. He doesn’t stay with the brother, he sleeps in the cinema. He has had the same drug use as Rajab and he has finished primary 2. He recited the alphabet to me this morning. It was adorable. Just looking at this little boy he has such a big heart. He is scrawny tiny, a huge smile and so much JOY. He lights up when you give him a hug or rub his back, and the HOPE that is in him is incredible. They both just need to be empowered and encouraged. Loved. He told me he wants to be a pastor, and I told him I believed he would be reading the word and studying faster than he thinks.
Steve the man from the church has promised to watch them and follow up while in busia here, and maybe communication with you in kampala as well if all of this goes through. He has email, and he is going to just inform or talk to Juseph’s brother here in town so he doesn’t think they just disappeared, and also Rajab’s uncle. Both are just the closest family they have here, although neither take care of them.
There is so much more I want to tell you about them. I can’t describe this love the Lord has put in my heart for them, and seeing this carried through. I didn’t know if I would be called back to uganda or not, and now I can’t imagine not coming back and seeing all the good things God has done, and keeping in contact with them. I am going to call you in just a couple of minutes to talk and see what you think. Thank you so much for praying for all of this, and being willing to move with the spirit. It’s incredible!! Maybe we will get to see each other after all.
God Bless,
Rach
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She had sent this email a couple minutes after I sent mine.
Hey lady!
Sorry I did not get back to you yesterday our was out until just a bit ago. I don’t think I can be much help in regards to a place or the boys to stay within our church community. Our church is in a slum and the average family has 5++ in a one room apartment and just not conducive to this sort of thing. Also, I think most people would be wary of bringing boys in off the streets. The concern you mentioned some of the people from the church having is not uncommon. I have been told that, sadly, there is a great deal of sexual abuse that goes on with streetkids and/or orphans. Not to say that would be these boys, but families with young children would probably be extra cautious.
Praying that God provides a really clear answer for this piece soon. Have you been able to figure out if there is any family around in Busia? I know your time is limited, but I think it would be best if you were able to track a relative down and bring them up to speed with what is going on.
I thought I’d go ahead and send you details on Wabigalo Primary School. The term starts Sept 5th with boarding students reporting on the 4th and I’m not sure when exactly they finish the term, but it is sometime in early December. The cost of boarding is 350,000/= per term, uniform cost is 55,000/= which is a one time fee, they are required to bring with them all necessary supplies – mattress, blanket, sheets, pillow, towel, soap for washing clothes and yourself, toothbrush, toothpaste, metal case (to keep all their things in)…..I don’t have the list right in front of me, but I think you get the idea. Also, books, pens, pencils, etc would need to be provided.
Do you know when was the last time they studied? What level they have completed? If there is a school near by to come with their transcripts would be preferable, but if it wasn’t accessible we could work without it.
Okay, let me know what you think and how things are progressing. Sorry I missed your call earlier, I didn’t have the airtime to call you back.
Happy day!
Rosalie
