Boda Guy

“I did not go to school all those years just to be a boda driver for the rest of my life.”

Sobering words from one of the youth I discovered on a harrowing boda ride through downtown Kampala recently. Honestly, having the depth of conversation that we had made the ride completely worth it. He shared about his dismay for his country, his desire to see it become what it is meant to be, and the chance for young people to build a different Uganda. But the whole conversation started when I asked him to take me home.

You see, I live near the slum where I’m serving, and it is known for a young man named Bobi Wine. He has become the symbol of change, rebellion, hope and everything in between to the young people of Uganda. My boda driver was fully alive to what could and should be with regard to this nation. When I was here last, there were riots incited by Bobi Wines followers against the current Ugandan president. Bobi Wine boldly challenged the power structure and prevailing attitudes of the day. He was beaten almost to death, imprisoned and wrongfully charged because of his initiative to bring in new officials. Thus the riots. There is more to this story, but he was raised in the slum where I am working and now has a music studio across the street. It is called Bobi Wines Ghetto. Yes.

My boda driver, Bobi Wine, and a few other young people that I have had the opportunity to spend time with, are a sign of the possibilities and changes I believe God wants to usher into this country. It caused me pause to have this young man pour out his heart to me with such passion, totally unprovoked by me, and I considered it a great honor. I poured my heartfelt belief back into him to carry on with his cause, to use his vote, his voice and his passion to believe for the Uganda he has only dreamed of.

But what about all of the children running in and out of the gates of Faithfully Nurturing Children Academy? I eagerly look around each classroom, looking at all the beautiful smiles, knowing there are children sitting there who will one day share their voice, their ideas and passions with their gifts. I get to wonder who the leaders, dreamers, creators and change makers are amongst the giggles and grins? So, every day I walk through the gates, I ask God to open my eyes and ears and to somehow enable me to serve, without hurting, the people He has sent me to live amongst. One thing I know about this wild city I find myself in, it is crucial for the children to get their adoption into the Maker’s family finalized. Then, and only then can every heart begin to learn who they truly are.

Imagine each child here like flowers forcing their way up through a concrete crack. Blooming in unlikely places, the beauty of the young is sometimes on full display, and it makes you stop in your tracks. Recently, I was standing under a tent watching and praying for all the children as they took their morning porridge. Some of them had other treats as well. One little boy whom I had never met smiled up at me with a grin so big, the food fell right out of his mouth. Then, he proceeded to rip off a piece of his chapoti and offer it to me, sharing. I.lost.my.breath. Cue crocodile tears here.

What if this sweet big heart learned that He has a true father who freely gives all good things to him and delights in his desire to share? Truly it is more blessed to give than to receive. What if he encountered the love of His true Father and discovered the beauty of belonging, sonship, identity? What if he not only shared his chapoti but this love with all of his classmates and friends because he was passionate about bringing others into his new family? What if as he grows up, he continues to give more than he gets and learns to teach this kingdom principle to others? What if one day he is president, and he shares with integrity, the resources poured into his country through all the benevolent governments and projects every year? What if he is meant to change his nation? What if?

To be honest, I don’t really want my new sweet school friend to be a boda driver when he leaves school at FNC. The truth is, He is in school to learn who he is, what he is capable of and to learn to be whatever his heart desires. But if in the end we have done our jobs well, and he still chooses to be a boda driver, then so be it. I trust he will continue to stretch out his hands to share whatever is there. I believe he has greatness inside of him. But then again, I believe that about all children.

Everyone serving the children in this slum has the potential to change this country, one child at a time. I’m grateful to be working with the team at Faithfully Nurturing School Academy, and dreaming about all that is sure to come. Will you pray for me that I remain true to my assignment each and every moment, that I will see with His eyes, hear with His ears and love well? The Pearl of Africa is brimming over with beauty, natural resources, creativity, resourcefulness, and too many young people to count. Boda driver or not, may God get the glory in his life and may his kind step up to the plate to lead this country on. #the future could be bright

Brave love to you all!

Haley

The blessing of favor resting upon the righteous influences a city to lift it higher, but wicked leaders tear it apart… Proverbs 11:11