Week
1 was absolutely full of blessings and full of the Lord’s teaching. It all
started with my plane ride from Amsterdam to Entebbe, Uganda. When I sat down
in my seat I realized that the 2 people on my left both had bibles on their
tray tables and quickly introduced themselves to me. One was a missionary from
Colorado named Scott and the other was a Ugandan native, pastor and professor
named Marvin Ssempa. Marvin was on his way back to Uganda after a visit to the
USA to see family. After the first 30 minutes of discussion realizing our
similar passions for ministry we began to talk about scripture, God, the world
and our similar desires to share the gospel. It was awesome to see it because
the plan ride from Atlanta to Amsterdam and the whole lay over in Amsterdam I
felt so alone without anyone by my side. The Lord quickly reminded me that I am
by no means alone with Him and He put two amazing people in my life for 8 hours
who encouraged me, prayed over me and followed by each one of us teaching the
other 2 scripture for 2 hours.
After
departing from the airplane and getting our visas we prayed together once more
and left on our separate journeys. After waiting nervously for my bags because
of the lost bag that I had to wait 4 days for last year I finally got them
both, met my ride and left the airport. Last year I stayed 2 months in our
first home with SOZO and got so close to the kids there and was so excited to
see them. As we drove I was suddenly informed that a few hours before they had
switched me to House 2. For a few moments I was pretty let down and confused of
why I was going to House 2 and questioning the plan of my Lord but soon was
filled with comfort and excitement to meet the new 2 kids at House 2. As we
arrived at the house at midnight I was greeted by the Uncle of the house and
discovered that the kids and aunts had already gone to bed and I was going to
have to wait and meet them in the morning. I volunteered to get up at 4:00am to
give them breakfast, and that was a huge step for me because I was coming off
just a few hours of sleep in the past 36 hours.
When
I woke up I was surprisingly refreshed and ready to arise at 4:00. As Stephanie
and I were making breakfast each kid slowly came down one by one and I was told
a name to remember and after more came it was harder and harder to remember the
kids names but I promised myself I would try my best to remember. About 8 kids
into the line up one of the best surprises yet happened.
To
back track, last year while I was in Uganda Jon Brennan and I visited Mercy
Home where the original 17 came from. There unfortunately still many kids there
so we brought food for all of the kids and stayed while they cooked it to make
sure they oldest 3 boys and the pastor would actually give them the food. Everything
that came into that home was taken by the 4 and the kids rarely received any of
it making going to the Home and hanging out and playing with the around 22 kids
such a huge blessing. When I was there I has a strong connection with a boy. He
told me his name was Raymond, who was about 11 years old, and for the 4 hours I
was there he held my hand and talked to me every moment except for the 30 or so
minutes I played soccer with all the kids. When I left for the second time I
looked him in the face and promised him I would come back and see him. As I was
leaving he ran up to me and gave me, what is some kind of fake jewel he kept in
his pocket and told me to keep it, and it has been in my backpack ever since.
When I left I said a prayer, praying I would see him again not knowing what
would happen to him within the year I was gone………
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| Remmy |
And
down come the stairs was Raymond, with me COMPLETY forgetting Jon told me a
month earlier we had taken him for Mercy Home and I must have had the biggest
smile on my face when he said, “I remember you Will.” Raymond, who is now
called Remmy has developed into an amazing, smart child of God and we have
connected even more. The kids of House of 2 are incredible…Solomon, John,
Ambros, Rosco, Benjamin, Enock, Benard, Marvin, Remmy, Rolland, Eddie (who now
laughs all the time, when last year at Airfield he never smiled or said a word.
The Lord has transformed him so much) Pheiona, Sharon, Nila, Joan, Faith,
Josephine, Janet, Florence and Winnie (who 4 and so precious). They have been
such a blessing these past 2 weeks and have given me so many reasons to smile,
laugh and play until I can’t move at night!
As
week 1 came to a close I started to think about all the reasons I am here. Not
only does my heart long for every child to be loved, but also I desire to see
Africa change for Christ as a country. To be here and love on these kids in the
slums or in Sozo, I am honored by the privilege to watch them grow up to be men
and women of God. That transforms in to Godly leaders of there own country. These
kids have 1/5 of what most kids in America have, but yet they smile and laugh
as if they have everything they need…and they do. The don’t fill there time
with games and toys but fill there lives with the love and mercy of Jesus
Christ! The may pick on each other but when it come to showing affection to
there Lord, no fingers are pointed and no remarks are made. Only hands raised
and voices crying out to their Father with praise, thankfulness and love. That
is what I long for to happen in America. For America to change to a country
that doesn’t ridicule others for worshiping, reading there bible on the quad or
being a Jesus Freak, but a desire to rise up along side one another and worship
a God that has created all things, knows all things and sees all things. To
have a love for one another that is without ridicule, but with a voice of
affirmation and commitment to serve along side of them for the Kingdom of God.
People
say that these kids can learn a lot from what America does, but my response
would be the opposite. To sit and watch them love Jesus with every inch of
there body, I would say we have a lot to learn from them!
“Every day, I make a choice
To be led, only by your voice
To be bold and unafraid
Knowing I am covered, I am safe
For even now, in my need
You are proving yet again to me,
You are there, You are there, Always there”
-Jeremy Riddle-
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with
which he loved us, even when we were
dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have
been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4-6
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| SOZO House 2 |
