One Less

My thoughts continually drift back to those busy streets. It's estimated that there are 1.4 million people in Kampala. But when Kampala contains close to 50 slums and 25,000 people claim to live life in those places that's hard to believe and probably inaccurate. God continues to remind me of our responsibility to care for the orphan and the widow. I can not tell you just how much I have thought and prayed about that this week. I remember being in my first grade sunday school class absolutely broken for the kids just like me in situations that were hard to comprehend at the time. And are quite honestly still hard to comprehend. Most of us have never even scratched the surface of suffering. Being in that first grade class, I knew I had to go and see for myself one day. I've always loved working with those who have no hope. I've always had some fascination and deep love for them. A fascination that has never ceased. The only way I know how to explain that is to say it is God breathed. And I'm so thankful. This week has been filled with studying and lots of it!! But when I was pilled under books, I thought of someone and I'd love for you to meet him...

This is Emmanuel or Emma (that's a boy's name in Uganda.) He lights up a room as soon as he enters, automatically speaking praises to the Father and thanking God for something every other sentence. He is such a light in a world full of desperate people. Anyone from our team that met him would tell you the same. You will often see him looking out for the best interests of other people before his own. Compassionate. That's the best word to describe him. I admire so much about his character. Unfortunately we were unable to spend much time with him because he is attending a university in Kampala. YAY :). He is studying to be an engineer and will be finishing school very soon. I wanted you to meet him because so often we hear the heartbreaking, tear jerking stories of anguish and despair but never hear the success stories. Both need to be told. Although he had quite a rough history, the outcome is compelling. Graduating from a university is something to be celebrated, even more so in a country like Uganda. He is going to have a FUTURE (God willing). One that is not stuck in a cycle of poverty. That is something to be excited about!!! And every time I think of that my heart rejoices with his. And I think of the lives he has the chance to impact and opportunities he has been given. He is one less that will go without an education. Which turns into one less that will go without food and one less who will not be able to provide a family. So I ask that you pray for Emma. 

Pray for his future. Pray for his exams (they start in November all over Uganda). Pray he will be able to find a job. And pray for his family so that one day he can learn to raise a family of his own. When I was there Emma and I talked a lot about Isaiah. It's one of my favorite books personally. Isaiah 26:8-9 says "Walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right." Let us bow down in obedience to His word and see Him for who He really is. Let's yearn for him day and night. Searching for truth. Because our Father in Heaven is so faithful in His word.