My team caught motorcycle taxis into town (the regular mode of transportation) to do town sort of things. Internet was on the top of the list, for my 1 hour a week communication with the outside world. The electricity was out in town so our usual internet café wasn’t running. For a few extra shillings, we went down the street to a place that runs on a generator. I was on a mission to post the middle of the month finance spread sheet and hopefully get some form of communication from friends and family. I vaguely remember seeing Brian and Cameron talking to two kids on the street in dirty clothes and in obvious poverty.
I didn’t care.
I am praying I will see the beggars that frequent my path in a different light and will be able to use the draw of my white skin for the Lords purposes. But I’m not there yet.
I figured they were yet more people wanting money. Money I did not have and honestly thinking I wouldn’t give it anyways. I’m tired of the thought white person= money.
I completed my hour of internet and headed outside where Cameron was once again stopped by the same two street kids smelling glue (disconnecting them from their reality). One of the boys had marks on his face and we asked to pray for him. In hand motions because of the language barrier, he looked embarrassed about the attention his face was getting and wouldn’t let us. You can’t force prayer on the kid so we said our goodbyes and left.
However, I left my flash drive @ the internet café and quickly turned back. The two boys were still there and once again got Cameron’s attention. A woman that runs a clothing shop stepped out to translate as she saw us struggle to communicate. She said the 2 boys wanted to go with us to learn and in fact did want us to pray. They even threw their glue bottles into the street and looked at us with expectant eyes. Not knowing the process of getting kids off the street we did not want to promise anything we could not keep and stated we would be back tomorrow.
We conveniently stay at an orphanage and school. God thing?
Our contact gave us the go ahead to return to town and bring them back! And so we went. Praying. Nervous. Hopeful they would still be there.
We arrived at the place we left them 24 hrs after we had said our goodbyes. Sadly, we found them stoned out on glue. They had waited for us outside a clothing shop from early morning to late afternoon. I’m sure their hope that we would return was wearing thin (I’m finding it more and more important to be a woman of my word).
Hassan and Mohammad looked at us through scared but determined eyes as we got on motorcycles to drive to the orphanage.
I saw their fear and their aloneness in the midst of a crowd of people. I’ve felt it myself on a much smaller scale. I had the biggest smile when I saw the other orphans give them their own limited clothes. I got to see them dance and smile free of the influence of glue. I knew they would be safe and I wrestled with how much I should stay with them verses how much I needed to let them acclimate to the orphanage alone…
…And then a few days later we had to leave to town for a 3 day crusade. Mohammad left the same day we did, now knowing we were not a permit occupant in Uganda. I expected it, but did not know how to encourage him to remain. His mother and little brother also live on the street. I’m told it’s the town crazy whose mattress is outside of an abandoned bank. I hope he left to care for them, but others on my group since returning back to town have seen him once again high on glue. I’m worried about him. I pray every day when I go into town I’ll see him one last time, that he won’t hide in shame, and I will have the opportunity to let him know he is always welcome to return. I pray the same people who gave him the marks on his face don’t punish him for leaving. Mohammad now knows where to go if he ever decides to give up his old way of life.
He’s in my Father’s hands.
However, Hassan has decided to stay and our faces light up every time we see each other from a distance. He doesn’t know much English but we were giving each other language lessons. I wish my mind and tongue took easily to languages but they don’t so he mostly just laughs at my inability to pronounce words. He is slowly playing with the other children, has been placed in a class, goes to church on Sundays, is getting fed, and dances in freedom. God’s working. Praise the Lord!
Pray for Mohammad and the many children that continue to live on the street in obscurity.
My month in Uganda has been faced with many different occurrences that I have head knowledge of but have never been challenged with these experiences. I have realized the vast disconnect between my head and heart knowledge with the constant struggle trying to connect the two. I have been told a lot of things but have never been face to face with truths I saw as far off possibilities. Demon possession, healings, speaking in tongues, visions, prophesies….you know weird bible stuff. I feel like I have seen everything I was content with not having to deal with.
I have held a girls head in my lap as her body contorts to the demons inside of her as I cried for Jesus to come and save. Other nights I have gotten angry at the darkness when they dared to return. I have prayed for healing multiple times and have yet to see it. Getting so discouraged the only words under my breath are “JESUS, freaking heal.” I have seen orphans surround a team mate in prayer and pain has gone away. I have learned joy from orphans. I have physically been affected by the heaviness of Uganda’s spiritual atmosphere to the point I have to sit down. (Still have no idea how to identify the cause). I have preached on the saving power of Jesus, calling individuals out of darkness into light. I have encouraged believers not to return to the things He called you out of. I am learning I have much to learn. I have seen street boys beg for a chance to learn and have the courage to throw away their glue bottles. I have been blessed with the ability to get them to a place of learning and safety…. Pray Mohammad returns.
Good bye Uganda. Hello Rwanda. This is going fast.
