We Americans have a lesson or two to learn from the Ugandans. These are a beautiful people who know real joy and have smiles broader than it seems their faces could possibly hold. These are a people who are so loving that they hug and kiss a perfect stranger more warmly than I with my own brother. These are a people so gracious and giving with what they have that it seems they are without a care or need in this world. These are a people who have not forgotten what it is to live and share in community. Hmm…it seems to me Jesus was trying to address one or two of these. I am instantly in love them.
Today was our first day to spend with the children at the Top Hills School. So we took another long "bumpy" ride down red dirt roads, zigging and zagging between motor bikes carrying everything from water jugs to tin sheets to bunk bends, zipping past pedestrians so near the bus I wondered if they might get sucked in by the draft, and barely missing most on-coming traffic by mere inches. As we gawked out the window (looking like the tourists we are) we saw thousands going about their daily business. In what would pass for no more than shacks back home there are thriving businesses selling furniture, providing cell service, simple open-stove restaurants, and all manner of stores and shops. Almost every structure here is built from the same red dirt as the roads we rambled down in the bus. As we pass from village to village and town to town these brick structures can be seen everywhere among the lush greenery and fields of sugar cane and maze. In many of the villages large ovens have been created at some of the homes for making and baking these bricks. Many of the houses and shops can take as much as a few years to finish depending on flow of money and the ability to fabricate enough bricks at a time to build with. It seems there is a bustling marketplace around almost every bend.
Upon our arrival at Top Hills we were greeted with the same love and exuberance we had been shown the night before when the Pastors welcomed us to our hotel. As we piled off the bus saying hello to the Pastors and staff, suddenly a flood of children came pouring out of the school – and they just kept coming! I'm not a good judge of numbers but there were well over 100 students ranging in age from 3 years to 14 years old. I confess that for a brief moment there was a quick panic that came over me as the reality of the situation settled in. Here we were about to be mobbed by this throng of children who wanted to touch us and talk to us and we could barely understand anything we were saying to each other. After many "I'm sorry's" and "I don't understand what you're saying" the older children seemed to take a cue and began to help with translating. I was struck by how fascinated they were with us. It was as if they had never seen white people before (which I know is not true). Simple things would captivate them, like arm hair, and they would stroke our arms for minutes at a time. We soon moved into a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose." It was at this point that this blog story will take a very personal turn for me. Because at this point I went to grab the guitar we have purchased specifically for this trip.
From this time on until lunch I don't even know how much time passed. I couldn't even see what the others were doing. Guitar in hand I made my way out onto a portion of the grassy field and sat down, motioning for the children to come sit. There was an air of excitement and I could hear the children closest saying play something for us. The next part fills my eyes tears yet again as I think about it. I began to play the guitar. The children began to clap and cheer and scramble for the best places to be able to view what was happening on the guitar. Again, it was like they had never heard someone play a guitar before. The children pressed in on all sides vying for good positions as the older kids put little ones on their shoulders or made room for them down front. After a couple songs I prompted the children to sing a song as well. One of the staff led them in the most beautiful song. The words to the song went something like "welcome visitors, we are happy you are here" as the children gleefully sang and clapped along. Imagine yourself down on the field of the smallest stadium in the world. As I sat on the ground in the midst of these kids and looked up in every direction it was like looking at stadium rows of little people all singing across to each other and over me. Yes, I went all weepy with tears of joy! It was one of the most beautiful and powerful moments I've ever experienced. We went on to exchange songs back and forth for a long time like that. We eventually moved to some shade and continued to sing before being invited to a generous lunch of Matoke (plantains), eggplant, rice, avocado, chicken, beans, fruit, and flatbread.
Following lunch our team was assembled into 4 groups and assigned a translator. We then hit the dusty trails out into the surrounding village to go evangelize. We carried with us bags of staple foods to give to the families after ministering to them. I heard stories from a couple of the teams of some accepting Christ as their Savior and others who ministered to sick children. Our team was blessed to reaffirm God's goodness to those who already know Him. We prayed for many widows and orphans and reassured them that God sees them and hears them. It was a special time for every team that will be treasured memories for years to come.
As we came back to the school we quickly loaded the bus with many of the Pastors and staff to give them a lift home before making the long bumpy ride home ourselves. Our evening ended at the hotel with dinner and a warm reuniting with our friend Phil Jones from the Hope Orphanage. We head there tomorrow where many of us will have our first opportunity to meet our sponsored children. Needles to say, we are giddy with excitement.
All this has been Day 1 of ministry in Uganda– and God saw that it was good!
Be Blessed!
Glenn Green – 9/20/13
1 comment:
Good indeed!!! I love you Glenn Green!
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