One week away from home! I am finally getting adjusted to the daily routine and all that goes with it. One thing I have not adjusted to, however, is what I see and experience anew every day. Overwhelming poverty. I have visited areas in the States that are run down and lacking those things that that average American takes for granted. I have travelled in Mexico and seen a greater level of poverty than their neighbors to the North.
But Uganda. I have not yet digested the level of poverty I have seen. I don't know if others who have more expertise in world poverty will concur, but these people may be the poorest of the poor. Children no older than 7 walking two miles to get water, many from streams of dirty water, and then carrying those 5 gallon jugs back to their village being careful not to spill. There are no caps on these jugs. Upon their return, many of these children will exchange the water jug for a sibling, holding and carrying their younger brother or sister wherever they go. Without mentioning the other issues and responsibilities these children have, you would think they would have no energy to muster a meager smile upon our arrival in their village. But such is not the case. At one of our visits the children ran alongside, in front of, and behind our bus - for nearly a mile - singing as they went! At another visit, we barely had enough room to step off the bus as throngs of children pressed toward us, hands outstretched, faces beaming, asking us in English, "how are you?" I guess I am overwhelmed in multiple ways. Overwhelmed with so many who could benefit from my abundance; overwhelmed with their gracious, kind, and loving demeanor. So, now what? I can't help but think of a couple of Scripture passages. One is from Matthew 25 where Jesus declares, "as you did to the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me." The other is from Philippians 4. "I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me." Even though what I a have seen is overwhelming and the task seems too great, I... you... we... have the One True God who can accomplish anything even when doing so through me and you, as overwhelmed and "under" qualified as we may be! May we all consider again how the Lord might accomplish His will using you and me!
4 Comments
Joann Massmann
2/8/2014 12:30:17 am
Hello! I'm reminded that it only takes one person to make a difference and one difference to change a life forever. A difference is being made in Uganda right now and that's definitely a blessing! All remain in our thoughts and prayers. We miss you!
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Toni Vogt
2/8/2014 02:20:30 am
Wow.... great description. Overwhelmed and under qualified...... love that. But our God is bigger!
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Tammy Brenningmeyer
2/8/2014 09:01:23 am
What a moving post! We have been looking at the website, following your journey. The first graders at Immanuel have been praying for you on this trip. Looking forward to hearing all about Uganda and the children you have visited.
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Laura and Michael Vaclavik (Blakes parents)
2/11/2014 01:09:32 am
We cannot wait to hear more about your trip and are excited we found this blog. I have shared this blog today with a friend at work who went with a group from Messiah this summer! She brought her photo album in and shared it with me. I was excited to tell her a couple weeks ago that you were venturing there. I have my favorite pictures in her album that speak a 1,000 words.....and brought a few tears to my eyes. She warned that anyone who goes there will come back a changed person! I'm sure all the emotion is overwhelming....seeing kids so happy with so little, but also taking in an environment that has the most sickness/ poverty in the world. Prayers for the most positive experiences for the rest of the week and a safe return!
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