Seven months on the Race so far and almost all of them have included some type of children’s’ ministry. In Bulgaria we played with orphans, disabled children and gypsy kids. We tried to share Christ’s love in India with underprivileged kiddos who lived with the pastors of local churches. Nepal brought us close to the Happy Home children who so easily won our affections. In Kenya we lived with several youngsters who were full of life and smiles. Rwanda had many kids that would shout out greetings and shake our hands as we walked the paths to church.
Vidin, Bulgaria: Mother and Child Orphanage
Targu Mures, Romania: Gypsy Village
Tanguturu, India: CCH Home
Hattiban, Nepal: Happy Home Nepal
Kitale, Kenya: Sunday after church service
Kitale, Kenya
Kigali, Rwanda: Village child with my backpack
Kigali, Rwanda: Wednesday night Bible study
Uganda’s children are now quickly capturing my heart. Within minutes of arriving at church, actually even before the van stops moving, the kids living next door are screaming with joy and running to meet us. As I step out and walk toward the church building, I am bombarded with hugs and at least two kids holding each of my hands. Their smiles melt my heart.
These kids know how to love.
They don’t hold back.
They know how to trust.
They don’t hesitate.
I love how they love.
These precious kids are absolutely adorable even with their grungy, ill-fitting clothes. They love to play tag, to play football (soccer) or to simply watch the big kids compete. But these kids aren’t just cute and energetic; they are students. Once or twice we’ve had the chance to lead a couple of kids’ songs and Bible story sessions. We taught them a few songs, which they happily sang along to. Later, they blew us away with their own words of worship. More than one child stood up to recite a verse from the Bible. After we acted out David and Goliath we asked them questions about the story. The responses were astounding. They don’t find it unbelievable that a teenage boy was able to take down a giant-sized warrior with only a stone and sling…they know it was by God’s strength. They cheer for the Lord and desire to do good.
At church it is always fun to see the children (African churches don’t have nurseries) during worship. They are usually running around, waving their hands or dancing with all their might. These kids are so innocent, so sweet.
Mukono, Uganda: Christ Ambassador's Church
This leads me to another group that I’ve begun to love. The youth, teenagers, youngsters, upcoming leaders, whatever you want to call them…they are on FIRE for Jesus! Most of these young adults have grown up in the church, some directly under Joseph and Frieda as orphans. They were once little children playing and dancing, now they are the leaders, disciples.
Take Agnes for example. She’s 17 years old. She teaches the children, works in the church garden and has been with us every day since we’ve arrived. Her friend Doreen is usually by her side. There’s Jennifer, Maureen, Joseph, Dennis, Sam and Ivan – all young people between 17 and 24 years of age, all willing to serve the Lord in whatever way they can. And they do it all with such incredible smiles.
From Left: Peter, Joseph, Dennis, Agnes, Me, Jennifer, Robert and Doreen
When the team goes out to evangelism or to hospital ministry there are just as many or more Ugandans than World Racers. They are bold. They are unashamed. Today (Thursday) I went with Jennifer, who is also 22, to pray at the hospital. The first room we entered was full of visiting family members. There was one lady in a hospital bed and four others there to see her. Someone had introduced us at the door and we were invited in. They understood English so I asked if they were believers. The man next to the bed replied, “Yes. But believers of a different kind.” I knew immediately that they were Muslim, but Jennifer asked for clarification. I turned my attention to the lady in bed and asked how she was feeling, if she was improving. Again, the man talked for her. “She is doing well, much better.” When I asked if I could pray he agreed, telling me that everyone prays and that prayer is a good thing. I pray for her and her visitors, that the Lord would reveal Himself to them, that they would know Him. I also prayed for healing in the strong name of Jesus. As we left, the room was still stiff and unyielding, but I was thankful for the opportunity to pray. We talked with Pastor Joseph afterward and he was delighted. I told him I was a bit caught off guard and didn’t know what to say or if I should’ve pressed the issue further. He smiled and simply said, “No other Muslim has come to pray for them. What you have done is a wonderful testimony.”
Behind the front desk we met another Muslim lady who was working at the hospital. Later down the road we entered into a sewing shop where two Muslim women were making table covers. At each place, we were welcomed and given time to speak with very little response. Most of what started with an attentive politeness ended with them busying themselves or moving restlessly to avoid eye contact – but they still listened. Many people here want prayers for their business to do well when we ask them for prayer requests. I have struggled with how to respond. How can I pray for the Lord to bless a business that is run by someone who adamantly rejects who He is? As I pray for their business, I first pray that the Lord would soften their hearts and reveal Himself to them.
All of this brings me back to my first point – childlike faith. These young people that volunteer their time to translate are amazing. They do not hold back. They do not quit. Today, Agnes and Jennifer were eager to share the gospel. They simply march up to a house, announce who we are and ask if we can share about Jesus. Next thing you know they turn to me and say, “They have agreed to hear. You can preach the gospel to them.” Even though sometimes I get nervous, it is encouraging to see their boldness. As the time was passing by today others had already gone back home because most of the people on the road had been reached. Agnes and Jennifer were not done yet. We walked around buildings and through backyards to find new shops or homes where we could share.
The young people here are a strong pillar in the church. They take active roles in sports ministry, evangelism, home-cell groups, translating, worship and teaching. They are full of the Spirit and bold in doing all they can for the Lord. What warriors! What men and women of God!
I smile as I think to myself…This is it. These are the ones who will take the gospel to the nations, starting with Uganda and running hard after the Lord in every direction. What if we prayed for our young people in America? What if we discipled them, trained them up in the Lord, encouraged their love for Jesus? What if we led by example? What if we prayed for warriors to be sent out to our own neighborhoods and to those of the Muslim women working in Mukono, Uganda? What if we took the initiative to be bold and courageous in our own schools and workplaces? What if we spoke about the good news with such a passion because it really has turned our lives upside down?
I was reminded of a quote from Jim Elliot that I think says a lot:
"We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners" — coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous!"
These young people have pumped me up. I am ready to have a faith like theirs; to devote my time to praising the Lord, serving Him and proclaiming Him. For many years I simply went to church or Bible study, sang some “praise and worship” songs, but I did not let them penetrate my heart or impact what I did outside of church. If the songs we sing are true and the prayers we pray are genuine, then why don’t we use our voice to TALK about Him? I’ve always heard: Preach the gospel at all times, speak when necessary. How will they know if we don’t tell them?
I thank the church here and its children and youth who are going strong. I can’t resist leaving you with a quote from one of my favorite C.S. Lewis books. In The Last Battle, Jill and Eustace are about to go into a battle that will most certainly lead to death and the end of Narnia. They are discussing this when Jill says:
I was going to say I wished we’d never come. But I don’t, I don’t, I don’t. Even if we are killed. I’d rather be killed fighting for Narnia than grow old and stupid at home and perhaps go about in a bath-chair and then die in the end just the same.
Let us give all we have for the gospel. Whether we are youthful or seasoned, our lives are not our own.
