About two weeks ago, on our first Sunday in Uganda, we took a mini road trip to the town of Kabale to drop off our host’s son, Seth, at his University. While on campus, we happened to meet another muzungu (white person), who introduced himself as Matthew. Matthew is also an American, which equals instant friend when you are spending a lot of time in foreign countries. We talked for a little while, and he and Amanda exchanged contact information. I thought that would be the end of it.
But it wasn’t! Because of that “chance” encounter, we found ourselves yesterday back in Kabale hanging out with almost thirty ex-street kids. Turns out that Matthew has been working with an organization called The Shepherd Centre that provides hope and a home for street kids (all boys – girls are almost always taken in by relatives or neighbors if their parents can’t care for them. Boys, apparently, should be able to fend for themselves).
Matthew introduced us to Patrick, the Ugandan who took these boys into his home and started the organization. Patrick himself grew up as a street kid and has a huge heart for these boys. After serving us bread with honey, bananas, and African tea, Patrick brought in all the boys and had them introduce themselves. The boys range in age from 3-18. All are in school since being plucked off the street by Patrick and brought to Shepherd Centre. One of the oldest, Joshua, shared his story with us. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Joshua described what it was like to live on the street – eating food from the trash, sleeping in the cold without a blanket, being mocked and ridiculed by other children and adults, feeling like he was not even human. And then “Uncle Patrick” found him, and everything changed. He had a home, friends, and adults who cared for him. He could go to school. Now, he walks around the town, and the same people who once ridiculed him praise him for how well he is doing. He gives thanks to God for sending Patrick into his life.
After testimony time, we walked/drove clown car style to a nearby field. Soccer time! While the older boys and the rest of the team played soccer, I played with Gilbert, age 3, Blair, 9, Mark, 10, and Happiness, who is probably about 11, on the sidelines. We brought toy animals, bubbles, crayons, a coloring book, and paper. The boys had a great time. (For you FBC people who know what I’m talking about, it was kind of like a visit to Georgetown). Oh, and did I mention there was a marching band and a procession of kids and teachers that walked down from church while we were there? Kids and band, two of my favorite things!
Back at the house after soccer, we got to talk to some of the boys a little more. Solomon, age 17, and Brian, who was probably in his early teens, asked for paper and drew some great pictures. We were fed a ridiculously good lunch, and then gathered for prayer. As we stood in the circle all holding hands, I marveled at a good good Father who sees the outcasts and gives them a home, and who places just the right people in just the right places at just the right times to allow this little American to see a piece of His heart.
“A father to the fatherless…is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.”
Psalms 68:5-6a
