HOME VISITS
One of the most meaningful aspects of our work in Uganda was the visits we made to children’s homes. Approximately 200 children are currently sponsored in Uganda, and each child receives regular visits and is delivered necessary supplies as provided for by their sponsorship.
It was special to me, because we were able to see the children and families in their natural environment, in their home, the way they live day to day. I received blessings over and over again at each home/hut we visited, as the children greeted us and opened their hearts to us.
At each stop we made, we had the name of a particular child or widow that we were to visit, including their family members, and we came always bearing gifts of one kind or another—clothes, candy, shoes, toys, etc., or delivering supplies—mattresses, storage lockers, etc. We found at each stop that as we lingered in that location, the crowd gradually swelled as word got out that the van had rolled in. Children seemed to appear from nowhere…everywhere! The longer we stayed, the larger the crowd grew! Finally, we would just have to say ‘enough’ and move on to our next stop. We realized that we would never be able to meet every child’s need at every stop—not even come close—but oh, we wanted to so much! It was so hard to pull away, knowing that there were still so many children to love!
Each home was different, with a different story to tell and different needs. Some were so heart-breaking that we went away weeping at what we had just seen; but others brought us absolute joy as we saw people who had nothing in terms of this world’s standards, but had such contentment and happiness in their hearts. All the homes were alike, however, in that they were so warm and receptive, and so grateful. (With the exception of a few children who were very frightened at the sight of a white face—a “Muzungu!”)
It was a special time when we sat down together in the yard of a hut and shared fellowship and prayer and often sang together. Some of the children we visited we had met at Awana and at Sunday School, so we could sing songs they knew and songs that we had taught them. It was special to see many of them still wearing their candy cane necklace from Awana!
Probably the most meaningful of all, being the Christmas season, we shared the wonderful story of how Jesus, the Savior of the whole world, came to this earth as a baby because of God’s great love for them. We shared the Good News of John 3:16 with every person in every home, and told them that unlike the gifts we were bringing, the gift that God gave the world on that first Christmas will never fade or grow old, it is eternal! Anyone with compassion could travel around and hand out clothes, but we believed if we “gave them Jesus,” they would know the Source of all good gifts!
If you want to be blessed to over flowing, beyond what your heart or mind can hold, come with us to Uganda, and just see what God has in store!
Cynthia
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