The Power of Love

Here are two stories of love penetrating through communication, as well as other barriers, and making a difference in my life and the lives of others.

1. Pastor Victor and I chose to take in two orphans and begin caring for them from our home. Our hearts had been touched with compassion as we heard about the physical, emotional, and mental abuse they were enduring simply because they were orphans. We felt a special connection to them when we first met and saw great potential in them. We wanted to offer them a better life and future.

When we first took them in, it was especially difficult for me because I could only speak short conversations with them. They also seemed so independent and distant in some ways. It did not seem to matter if they received special love from us or not. When we would come home, they did not even seem to be very excited. Even in the times that I would travel to Kampala for doctor's appointments, they did not seem to miss me. It seemed that all they needed was a safe place to live and food to eat. I tried to remind myself that they were not accustomed to receiving tender love and probably did not know how to respond. I understood that it had to also be difficult for them to communicate to me because of their limited English vocabulary. (Although Pastor Victor had mentioned to me that they were not responsive to him either.)

I continued to pray that God would help these children feel loved in a special way and that the love they received from Pastor Victor and I would change their lives. I decided to do as much as I could to show them love, even if they did not react to it or seem to appreciate it. I would tell them I loved them before they went to bed, and they would laugh. I would tell them I missed them, but they would only smile or cover their faces. I would give them a hug, but they would simply act very shy. I would try to speak what I could to them and show them that I cared, but it did not seem to be making a difference.

Then one night (It was actually the night I returned from Kampala after being admitted in the hospital for the first time.), I saw a glimpse of hope as the boy expressed his heart to me. I had come into the house, but neither of the children greeted me or acted happy to see me. I greeted them, but I was feeling quite sad because it did not seem they missed me even a little bit. Later that night, when the boy and I were sitting in our living room, he looked at me and spoke these words in very clear English. "Thank you for coming back. I love you so much. I kept wondering, 'When is Abooki coming back?' I now feel much joy in my heart." I could not believe my ears. I was so touched I wanted to cry! I realized that I had made some impact on this child's life, and he did care for me. I said a very thankful prayer to God for this special moment and asked that He would send many more like it.

2. Due to health reasons, I have been away from Kyenjojo for over a month. I decided to call one of the ladies in the church just to see how she was doing. When I called her, she sounded very happy to hear from me. We only talked for a couple of minutes, but the joy that filled my heart as I heard her excitement lasted all evening. Then, shortly before I fell asleep I received a message on my phone that brought even greater delight to my heart. It said, "Though I don't visit you a lot, neither talk much to you, I do love you mommy. I miss you, and I pray for you always. Hope to meet you soon. God bless you mommy. (In Uganda, Pastors' wives are considered to be mothers to everyone in the congregation.)"

In this short message love was communicated more vividly to me than other messages or letters with many words. Once again, I find myself learning more about love. I learned… The value of loving others cannot be measured. The method of loving others cannot be clearly defined. It has no method or formula--it has to be a part of you. As love lives inside of you, it is freely expressed outside of you. You embrace others not just with your hands, but with your eyes, your ears, your words, your face, your heart, your actions, and your life. Finally, as you continue to freely give love to others, you find that somehow, somewhere, love is given back to you.  May God help us all live a life of love that we may leave permanent footprints on the hearts of others.