Some people tell me that I'm too young to understand. And although I may only be twenty-three years old, after spending four short months living in a third world country, my eyes have been opened to the truth of the world. Returning to Uganda is not me caught up in some dream. It would not be possible for me to live in Uganda if I were doing it for myself.
There is a quote from the book Radical, by David Platt that states, "We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their face. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes."
I find complete truth in this. Before initially arriving in Uganda, I never though I would become as connected with the children as I did. Everything changed once I knew the names of the children. And my heart began to change even more once I was spending day in and day out with each of them.
I have come to realize that in America, I can teach in a class and at the end of the day my students will return to their homes where they will be provided a hot meal, clothes to wear, a warm bath, and fall into the arms of loving and supportive parents. As the school year ends, the students will move into a new class with a new teacher who will give them all they deserve. The simple truth is that the kids in America don't
need me.
I know that without teachers in America, our children would not be provided an education. But there are plenty of decent teachers here in America and the children have the support of their families. They are going to make it. There may be some hard times, but American children will make it if they put their mind to it.
The students at my school in Uganda walk to and from school alone each day. When arriving home they change into their ripped and torn clothes. Many not even seeing their parents because of numerous circumstances. I personally do not thing that is what a child
deserves.
One of my students has Dyslexia. She will
never be provided the help she needs to excel in the Ugandan culture. It was Isabella and I who realized she even had Dyslexia and were able to work with her. Vanesa
needs me. My class
needs me to excel and become something in their lives. I believe that Vanesa
deserves the helps she is receiving from me.
About a week before I left Uganda, Lawrence, one of the boys in the New Creation Family Home told me that he needed to tell me something. He proceeded to say that he was going to miss me when I left. And in a note from Margret Mae, I was informed that I was her favorite auntie she had ever had, and that it was our little secret. (Sorry sweet girl, I had to share). And although I told her that her secret was safe with me, the truth is, it was that note that opened my eyes. The note that truly made me understand.
These children don't have parents. They may have mamas and brothers and sisters. But they do not have someone in their life who is there to love them. To be there when they need someone to talk to. The way their eyes light up when you seek them out and take the time to notice and care for them is life changing.
These children
deserve to know that someone is proud of them. They
deserve to have someone who believes in them. To leave these children whom I have built strong relationships with, and and live back in America like nothing ever happened would be wrong. I would be abandoning the kids who God has called me to help.
I understand that God has called me to help the least of these.
I understand that orphans deserve love too.
I understand that the NCFH children
need me.
I understand that the NCFH children look up to me.
I understand that schooling is important for children.
I understand that I can teach those children.
I understand that I don't
need anything in the American culture.
I understand that people may call me crazy.
I understand that God doesn't find my crazy.
I understand that God is proud of me.
I understand that the only opinion that matters is God's.
I understand that the only place for me is Uganda.
As Mama Grace prayed for me before departing from Uganda, she said, "she is a blessing to Africa."
I have been blessed to bless the children of Africa.
Simple as that.
And that's what I'm
going to do.
That's what I've been
called to do.
And my only option is obedience.
