Ok, it wasn’t the sea, but Lake Victoria might as well be one, being the largest Lake on the continent of Africa. I’ve seen this quote to many times, it’s always intrigued me and I still remember a night we ‘debated’ its meaning at a small group at CCU. I don’t know if C.S. Lewis ever meant for us to apply this literally and I’m probably taking it out of context, but the other day at the Christmas Retreat with the entire Children’s Home this quote was brought to life for me.
If you can just imagine how excited a 7-year-old gets when you go to the beach? Or on Christmas? Now just multiply that by about 80 (and change the color of the kids in your mind!) and combine Christmas AND the beach – and remember it’s their first “holiday at sea”. Add that all to the knowledge that most of these kids actually did play with “mud pies” in the slums because I’ve see it: Katanga or Kisenye Slums. But today they’ve blown the lid of their expectations of how good life can be … after today they’ll never settle with just surviving on Christmas.
The real meaning behind a day like this runs deep … about 4 years deep. Looking back there are to many friends and way to many failures to mention that lead up to this point. Before I write more I have to tell you that I (CLD) didn’t do one thing to make this day happen. Other than receiving the budget and dates and funding this special day (thank you Dave!) all we had to do was show up!
Wilfred, the Leader/Director of the Children’s Home, has become an incredible leader. There’s a lot that goes into a day like this -- first you have to learn to dream and envision something better, believe in it’s importance because you’ll have to convince a lot of people who don’t see it yet, plan WAY ahead, research the logistics, understand where the money is coming from, make a budget and get it to the right people in time … then, rally the people to come. I’m not sure if that’s exactly how it unfolds, but I’m 100% sure that’s what most ministry Leaders have to learn how to do – but it’s ten times more difficult in Africa, where (leader or not) people are just trying to find food for dinner, let alone dreaming about a holiday at sea for Christmas in 3 months.
We made sand castles, a memory I’ve already tucked away in my heart rainy days. We learned how to play at the beach. So many new experiences. We dug holes and buried each other. No sunscreen needed with that dark skin: ) There were camels on the beach!? There were no compounds, no walls … but lots of space to play soccer and all day to swim, swim, swim. When we were saying good-bye that night, two taxi’s loaded with about 30 exhausted little bodies in each, I hear Elisha’s voice amongst the dark faces say “Mama Julie!! … Our house!” He was still on a high from the house of sand him and I built especially - and I just laugh now as I remember that epic moment when I responded as dramatically as I could “Forever!!”
To my surprise, Wilfred had planned to do baptisms that day too. He held a 40-minute class for anyone who wanted to recognize their new life in Christ by being baptized. No doctrine read or robes or official ceremonies – in the simplest way about 15 older kids made a line in the shore of Lake Victoria and one by one Pastor Wilfred and Josh prayed with them before they went under water for a brief moment... but a powerful moment they’ll treat as their new Birthdays from now on. Amen.
One the best parts is knowing how many people have been involved in this story that leads up to a day like this. No one was sick (maybe partly because of the fresh veggies they get ever week from the Farm), they all had clothes, they all just got out of school and were immediately headed to whatever real families they have left for Christmas, the CLD taxi’s and all their drivers who transported the kids were doing great, their Leaders have purpose and direction (studying at University, taking classes to learn English, ect) … all of these things are directly connected to someone who believed that it was important (Medical, the Farm, Education, Housing… Christmas Parties). So many faces come to my heart right now. Thank you!
Last week I wrote about Ben and how he’s restoring his village and family in Kaliro. Like WiIfred, he is no longer settling with ‘mud pies in the slums’, his Desires are strong and he’s got Dreams he believes in. To my surprise, he read my email and wrote me back! He was actually out in Kaliro leading a crusade when he read it (in the first ever internet café recently started in the town and he had to test it out). In light of everything I’ve been trying to convey with my own words, I just have to share his email:
“You can’t believe we now have internet in kaliro. I visited this cafe in kaliro town to check out if it works so well. I was happy it did and i was glad to read my story from you. I‘m not really good at writing my personal stories but thanks for writing this. Every one here is just looking at me, I don't know why because Im so happy but instead tears are coming out of my eyes. On reading this story, i found it hard to control my tears flowing out of my eyes. I really don't know how i will ever thank God for bringing all the people he brought in my life that have helped me in this battle and putting my family together.
This week here is going so well and as usual many people gather in the front yard to watch movies and see how much God can change them and bless them through the testimonies that we share. The whole team here is so amazing. Yesterday one terrible witchdoctor turned to Christ and almost the whole village escorted him to my yard which is where the church is so that he can confess his sins. Tomorrow we are planning on baptizing 200 people.
Thanks for your prayers Julie.
Bless you”
Right now I’m in Chicago, stuck in the airport. My flight to Syracuse, NY last night was cancelled and because it’s Christmas season “everything is full”. So close to being home, I feel like I’ve been traveling for days. My mom tried to cheer me up on the phone by saying that at least I have a lot of time to think and reflect! I guess it’s privilege to sit still and think, not that I have a choice, so here I am thinking about whole villages getting baptized as if I were recalling something out of the New Testament … while music plays overhead as if I’m living an a Christmas music video, lots of lights and shiny things advertised around every corner and more white people than I’ve seen in months - dressed perfectly and rushing home for the holidays.
I’m defiantly not fitting in with my flip-flops and dirty clothes, but unlike them I get to reflect on things like -- Worship Night ’09 where 50,000+ voices rang through the city of Kampala … planting 8,000 trees and acres of vegetables on a Farm in the middle of nowhere Uganda … fixing water wells down long dirt roads … living in real Community and serving with an incredible team of friends with the most willing hearts ... cleaning infected wounds during a Medical Outreach in the Slums … assembling and watching 100 Christmas gifts being given out to children that I know will cherish them like gold, children who dance, dance, dance to express how happy they are about it…
“You have turned by mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
That I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!” Ps. 30:11-12
I’m about to send this email and I should tell you I managed to squeeze on a flight and made it home! Now I’m watching the snowfall out the window wearing sweaters and slippers. And just like every year I clumsily adjust to the life here of microwaves, driving on the right side of the road, automatic everything, and understanding every conversation around me. And to think, it was only last week that my routine consisted of driving the truck home from the Farm on dirt roads that were more like cow paths, the back full of veggies for the Kids (and all my friends), Jeremy riding shot-gun, no one is talking with the windows down and that endless summer-sun, and little kids are shouting for the 100th time ‘mzungu!!’ (white person) … and our favorite song is NOT playing because we’re lucky if we don’t have to push it to get it started, let alone play our favorite song : )
So as I transition back to this side of the world, I’m forced to search for the only common ground between the two, and I remember what Josh Brink said in devotions a few days ago – I have no idea what will remain tomorrow, or next year, or in 3-5 years. I can’t guarantee where I will be or if I’ll be serving with CLD, and the people I think that I can’t live without might be gone … but what I can be confident in is that God remains the same. My call to love Him and love His people is my only common ground between Uganda and America … and somehow that’s enough for me.
Merry Christmas everyone – thank you for following me over the last few months. It’s good to be back!
Julie
No comments:
Post a Comment