Billy and I get to be a part of a lot of incredible things at Adventures. This summer we helped prepare high school students to serve for several weeks all across the globe. Here’s what a few of my participants in Uganda are part of right now!
Posho and Beans: served daily!
Savannah, 17 years old:
“Lisa has the gentlest spirit you will ever come across and a grace uncommon in a girl of 5. You can go to her any time of the day and ask, “How are you?” and she’ll look up with laughing brown eyes and smiling say, “I’m fine!”
She wants to be a part of every activity and every moment of the day, but she was born lame. In five years, she hasn’t ever been able to walk by herself.
She has the passion, but not the power.
Lisa always has her hand waving, straining for the teacher to pick her for an example. Her eight-year-old sister Molly carries her to school everyday, as that’s the only way she could get there. I often see Lisa pressing her face against the chalkboard so that she can “stand” while she writes an answer on the classroom chalkboard. And when I talk to her, every word from her mouth is seeping with optimism.
This girl had inspired me in so many ways.”
Maddie, 15 years old:
“Between wake up call and bedtime, our day is filled with smiles and laughs, little children tugging on our hands and hearts, and hearing stories of God’s goodness. My heart is fully living here. I can’t wait to share more stories when I get back home, but for now I’ll keep living in the moment in this amazing country with these beautiful people.”
Michelle, 18 years old:
“If I could send you a taste of what life is like in Uganda, I would send you the early morning sounds of roosters crowing, and the children’s bubbling laughter as they walk to school. I would send you a snapshot of the long, exhausting days teaching at school and sports camp. Little, dark faces with adoring eyes and snag-tooth grins and little hands, grubby from dirt or porridge, pulling on your arms and tugging on your heart.
Elizabeth is one of these beautiful, joyful children. I would send you her beautiful, occasionally cross-eyed gaze. And, I would send you the deep injustice I feel when I see her sitting in her wet shorts because no one thought to take her to the bathroom—for she cannot walk. Or, when I learn she has no mother and her drunkard father doesn’t even want her.
And I would send you hope as the local ministry is in plans to take Elizabeth under their wing and provide her with all that she needs!”
