Blessing

There is a school in the village called Blessing. There are three classes in all. Imagine one room school houses with no windows or doors, dirt and rock floors hardened over time, and next to nothing on the walls made of rock and brick and mud. There are student benches, attached to a thin top, though not plentiful enough to be shared by the large quantities of children seated in them. Each classroom contains a range of ages such as 1-3rd 4-6th and 7-8th. But even this system is loose. I have seen two teachers, but imagine there has to be at least one other. The classroom I am asked to teach in is a mixture of children ages 6-12. I’m sure there is a system for how this sort of works, but it eludes me. Some children speak some English, but most of it is so limited I have to use a translator. I love working with translators if the spirit is in it because we work synergistically, and have more to offer the children.

One day I went to teach this class, and noticed that the teacher was missing again… not sure if she had even been to school yet. Since the children know when to expect us however, they never seem to be late. We opened as usual with a few ice breakers, songs and prayers, then it was time for the lesson. I was going to teach them about the love of the Father, ways to use our gifts and service for others, His presence and all the many things that seem to want to spill from my heart at first sight of so many orphans. On this particular day, they were unusually quiet. (This class is a bit sassy, and they giggle and talk much mother tongue in spite of my best efforts.)

I noticed how subdued they were and decided to enlist their help to tell my story up front. They happily clamored to my side and began their best acting efforts. The remaining children watched with smiles. At the end of the story I asked a lot of questions and then decided to pursue them about some of what was on their heart.

I wish that I spoke Luganda, that I was there every day establishing safety and trust, I wish that they knew how much they are loved, and my wish list goes on for miles. All this to say, despite it all, I managed to elicit a number of responses about their “hearts desires, and thoughts about the unique way they are designed” but they came in the form of pilot, surgeon, lawyer, etc.. You may know this already, but these are super common answers from kindergartners to seniors as you ask them about themselves. I am sure these answers are real in a sense, but OH how my heart yearns for them to encounter true living that goes beyond a profession...aka survival.

I knew that the best way to pursue them was through prayer however, and to cry out for the Living God to overwhelm them un-mistakingly. So, one by one, I prayed over each and every one of these children, at least thirty in all, and shared the heart of the Father with them. No one spoke a word this entire time, all waiting for their turn. Imagine what it would be like to be taught to pray, but have no one to pursue you and pray specifically for you. Most of these children fall into this category, and knowing how desperately children need to be seen and known and heard, how can one respond but with a resounding yes! to Jesus. I admit that tears escaped my eyes as I held each child close and prayed, but my heart was so full as I realized what God was saying about each one. There was such palpable hunger and humility among most of the students… I was filled with hope and expectation.

At the end of it all, what rose up in my heart and drenched all those around me was that God wants His family whole and strong. These children  may not have intact families but they have each other. All that God wants is that we love our family and love the ones not yet in our family until they succumb to the beauty of being known and adopted. This is truly the great commission. His true heart is for everyone to know they belong. One of the ways we learn this is through our relationships with one another. I’m hopeful that these children will continue to grow in every wonderful way with one another being their primary goal. They have such bright futures ahead with God on their side. 

As I finished up, and gathered them once again together, I smiled with confidence, because I know the goodness of my Father and I know He will never stop pursuing these children with His unstoppable love. Love never fails. 

Pray for the children of Uganda. They are the future hope for this country. Thank you all for being a part of their story with me.