Story of Swift redemption Part 2
Here is my first email to her and the conversations that followed:
Rosalie!!!
I’m so sorry we didn’t end up getting to meet up while I was in kampala over the weekend. I thought it would be easier, but I didn’t really have any way of transportation unless we were already out and about, and both times I thought we would be going back out we ended up staying in for the night, and then staying in all morning on tuesday instead of going to the mall. I hope everything went well with the hospital visit, and getting your friends off to the airport as well. I loved Kampala the little bit of time we were there, I wish i had gotten more time.
I know we don’t know each other very well, but I have a really large request/question. I know from the emails and news updates that the church you are working with also has a sponsorship program correct? I remember when Jonathan, Jeremiah and Sarah were there they were working on evaluating the needs and the kids in the area, etc. Specifically street children, is that right?
What does the program look like? is that something that you coordinate and run, and how do you choose the children that are in the program? what is the process? I am asking, because here in Busia, there is not a lot of options around with sponsorships, etc. The church we are working with is so small, and doesn’t have any kind of outreach for the boys living on the street. We have gotten to meet with the boys though, and this morning with them I really felt the Lord strongly pick 2 boys out of the crowd. They are two boys in the couple times we have been by have never had glue or anything, and are always so attentive, and respectful.. not going crazy around us. Their names are Rajab ( i don’t know the spelling.. he is 14 i think) and Juseph who is 12. This morning the Lord just laid on my heart leadership over them, and binding them together in their friendship and just praying protection over them, and hope and trust, because his plans are soo big. I know he is going to use them to change that community. We will see them again this week, hopefully a couple of times, and on Sunday and then we leave for Jinja and are there a few days before leaving for Nairobi.
What I am wondering is if it is possible for them to be put in Sojourn’s sponsorship program in Kampala? Away from the life they know here, a chance to really have the Lord redeem and restore their lives. They are so heavy on my heart, I know God is going to make a way with all of the provision, and I would sponsor them myself, and immediately get the funding to bring them, and anything they need. I could bus to Kampala with them. They both have a desire to go back to school, and change where they are coming from.. I feel like I am supposed to be obedient in this and help with that change.. I know I can’t do much, but this is all I know to do right now. All I am asking is that if it’s possible, and even if maybe it seems like it’s not for you to pray and ask the Lord what he says. I know things would have to move really quickly, but I believe the Lord to provide the means and do powerful things.
I know this is a lot in one email, especially when we have only met a couple of times, and didn’t even get to meet up in Kampala, but this doesn’t have to do with me.. it’s these boys, and I am praying that we can see the transformation of the Lord in their lives. Please write me back as soon as you can, or call liliana’s phone. I am going to try and call you in a bit too. I’ll try and attach their pictures to the email as well. Thank you so much Rosalie. Can’t wait to hear from you,
Rachael
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Hey Rachael!
So I have forwarded all the details below to the friend I mentioned, Katie, and I am waiting to hear back. I will let you know what she is thinking.
Are these boys living on the streets? Or do they have some sort of family or caregivers looking after them? I ask this because if you are willing/able to support them in school we might be able to arrange to put them in board at a school either in Busia or Kampala. My thought is if it’s in Kampala I could receive the funds from you and pay the school, no problem. We could put them at a school that is near me and I could check in on them or be around if there is an issue. There’s even Wabigalo Primary school where all the kids go who’s families are a part of the Family Development ministry. We also do a bible program there every Thursday. The only problem is when they are on breaks from school. There are three terms in a school year with two 1 month breaks and then a 2 month break over Christmas. That is why I was asking about their current situation, thinking we could just send them back to Busia during breaks via taxi. Or perhaps there is a school around Busia that would work better. Or maybe none of these are what God has already worked out for them.
Definitely joining you in prayer on it. Bring peace to know we have a Mighty God that has a perfect plan for these sweet children. Thankful for how he is using you and your willingness to respond.
Sula Bulungi, Nnyabo!!
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Liliana, Charlie, and Erin
I received the email above along with one from a dear friend in Portland who said they would be willing to help with the financial needs!! What i was jumping up and down, crying, laughing, and just in awe of the Lord. What other doors was he going to open? I had just been doubting him on my jog that morning praying, ” Okay God if we can’t get things together before I leave, maybe we can at least connect them to the church so they know their faces…etc..” and then God drops this huge ” I am able” on my lap. How legit is He! We had prayer meeting at the church in just a couple of minutes, so I told the team what had just happened, has another party dance, and took of for prayer. There was still so much more to be done, and prayed about! I was practically skipping down the street so full of Joy. Prayer was so powerful in the evening. Getting to pray together as a team, and then as a congregation for these boys in one mind and spirit was incredible. I have no doubt the Lord is going to provide every need for them. After the meeting I walked hand in had with pastor Rosemary to get her up to speed on all that had happened. She was so excited for the boys, and said the church would be there to support them, and make sure things went according to plan. They were the churches responsibility now was well.
I saw Steve that evening, Friday, and he said he had seen both the boys during the day and they had asked about me. “When was I coming back to see them?” My heart melted. Sooner than you think!! I arranged with Steve to go and meet the boys the next morning to get more details about their lives, and let them know what God was working on providing in their lives. They have no idea how changed their lives are about to be! Tomorrow at 9 am we would sit down and discuss the bright and beautiful futures! SO excited I could pee my pants.
I woke up late Saturday. It was 9 am and I jumped out of bed and threw on my things, I didn’t want to miss them. Luckily we are on African time, so I was waiting for them for a good twenty minutes before they finally came sauntering down the road. Ran up to them and hugged them both, and we headed to a hotel to sit down. It was one of the best mornings of my life. Not only did I get to sit and talk with Rajab and Juseph for 4 hours, but Steve and I got to witness to two of the servers at the hotel (restaurant), pray with them, and one of them accepted Christ. The owner was Muslim and wasn’t too happy, but the Lord had his hand over every place we went this morning, and his Spirit could not be stopped. While we were talking to the servers the boys passed out, full bellies, on the table. They never get a good night sleep, so I was sad to wake them, but we needed to go get each of them a pair of shoes, and some necessary bubble gum. From there Steve went with them to talk to the only family they do have left in town and inform them the boys would be leaving, and although they had not been involved much in their lives prior, give them the opportunity to do so now. We also wanted to see if he could arrange for both of the boys to stay together in one location. I went home to try and get ahold of Rosalie with all the new information, and wait for Steve to come tell me the update after meeting with them.
