Many of us can't imagine eating only one meal a day-not even snacks in between. Nevertheless, this is the normal routine for many people in Uganda. I still have many moments where my heart breaks for the suffering, and I just can't imagine what it would be like to live the way that some of these people live. I've always said that in the US we take so many things for granted. For example, running water and clean drinking water are two things I think those of us in America don't appreciate enough. In Kyenjojo, it is a true struggle to have both of these necessities. I have had many days where I have struggled to find good water or have not had water to wash my clothes or mop my floor. Although the town does have water taps in some places throughout the town, you have to pay to use that water source and the water quickly runs dry or is just not there some days. In addition, I can never drink the water that I receive either from the tap or the well.
In America, it may be easier to forget the struggles the people face here, but I personally have some continual reminders of the neediness of this area, and in some ways I am bombarded by it-even in my own home. Since I have returned to Kyenjojo, I have had visitors at my door or window crying out my petty name "Abooki". They always come for something, such as food, soap, lotion, money, etc. They are very persistent. In fact, many of them will stay around my house all day, and they may even come early in the morning or late at night. The neighbors have complained about these children and people, threatening to cane (beat) them. They want these children and people to stop disturbing me. They tell Victor, "She can't even understand what they are saying. She just laughs, and they keep disturbing her." It is true that I cannot understand most of their words. I try to get what I can, but mostly I am unable to understand what they are asking or telling me. I cannot wait until I can fully understand the language!!!
It makes my heart so sad that these children are not going to school and that no one is caring for them. I just cannot imagine what it would be like to experience the childhood that these children face. Their parents are not minding whether they go to school or where they are. These chidren are just wondering around themselves, and many of them are very young.
Two days ago when I had just finished preparing my lunch and had sat down to eat, I heard their familiar voices. I was so moved in my heart that I thought "I cannot eat this lunch and not give them any." The problem was that there were many of them, and I had only prepared a small amount for myself. Unfortunately, I did not see the Mircale of the Five Thousand, and there was no multiplication. As a result, I ended up giving away almost all of the lunch I had prepared. (I had taken a couple of bites before they appeared, but after they came there was no more left for me.)
I have to say that the delight in my heart as I watched them eat erased my feelings of hunger, and I was glad that I had given them my lunch. I also knew that I would easily be able to get food for supper, but I could not confidently say this about these children. The only challenge I face here with food is that cooking meals takes hours becuase I only have a charcoal stove!
Every time I am given the opportunity to give to others, I always experience joy in my heart, and I am quickly reminded of the principle of the Bible that says, "It is more blessed to give than receive." I am confident that if more of us would live our lives according to Biblical principles such as these, we would experience a deeper sense of satisfaction in our daily lives. I know that Kingdom philosphy appears to be backwards, but in the end, it is the most rewarding!
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