I am in Uganda for 3 ½ days, which seems about 3 days too long considering how much I miss my husband (and then it’s off to South Africa for 3 ½ days), but being here has its benefits (besides two of my guilty hotel room pleasures, room service and Bollywood music videos on the Indian channel). Like being able to meet with the orphan group.
The leader of the group and his brother came up to Kampala to see me, since I didn’t have time to go down there. We spent less than an hour together, yet I am feeling completely topsy-turvy with emotion—glad and sad and daunted and most of all humbled.
I was reminded today that I really have no idea what I’m doing, and no idea how this thing will keep going. (And for how long? What happens 10 years from now?) If you don’t know the back story, there are 25 orphans that I and some other generous souls in my life have supported over the past couple years. You can read more history here and here. In the beginning it was easy—I bought a few goats for a few kids. Then this time last year came the first big leap—with money from some friends we put as many kids in school as we could afford, 21 in primary and 4 in secondary. Once again, not that big a deal, we just spent what we had. Over the year, more money came in, a couple thousand to buy a piece of land that the kids could farm and learn agricultural skills on. Big milestone.
The school year starts again in January and this year, for the first time, it hits me that now we have commitments to these kids. Commitments to keep them in school. Two kids are passing from primary to secondary school this year, and tuition and supplies increase ten-fold. The group leader writes me up the most wonderfully professional budgets, and we’re looking at $2500 for next year. I look at the amount and think, Wow. Where will it come from, in the next 4-6 weeks, no less? I have no idea. Just faith—a mustard seed’s worth, maybe—that God is leading, baby step by baby step.
When I say baby step I mean baby step. I may work in the development field, but it amazes me what I don’t think of. How much I have to learn. When I saw the group in August I asked them what they needed. Keep in mind that we are communicating across vast language and culture barriers. (They more or less speak English, and understand me most of the time, I think.) In every conversation I am struggling to grasp what is really going on, what they are really trying to tell me. Don’t get me wrong—they are honest to the bone. But building communication is taking time. They probably feel even more unsure than I do, unsure of what to say and what to ask.
But finally last summer, when I asked them what they needed, they asked for Bibles. Of course I want every child who wants one to have a Bible (some of the kids are Muslim)-- yet it had never occurred to me to get them Bibles. I promised them I would get them Bibles. It finally occurred to me the weekend before I left on this trip that NOW would be a good time to give them Bibles. Christmas coming and all that. So Joel and I hit two Barnes & Nobles in Boston and carried home nearly 50 lbs of Bibles. Every reasonably good translation that was under $10 that they had. It came to exactly 40.
So, this is another thing I am learning—that God is in the details. 40 seemed like a good number, I thought it would be enough plus a few extra, but I didn’t really do the math. Finally on the plane over I looked at their last proposal. They were requesting 25 Bibles for the 25 orphans and 10 Bibles for the group leaders and caretakers. Another question in my mind has been how many, if any, kids we should add on for next year. Adding any at all seems risky when I don’t even know where the money will come from for the first 25. But a dear grandmother in my parents’ church had given us money when we got married, specifically for 5 goats. So today I heard myself saying to the group leader, “We have money for 5 goats, so why don’t we add on 5 more children.” At this point I've committed that every kid we give anything to will get school fees and a goat and a Bible. And only then did it hit me that 25 + 10 + 5 = 40, and we had exactly enough Bibles. (Even enough for the Muslim kids, if they want one.) Now how did God know that there would be exactly 40 Bibles at those two B&Ns on the day Joel and I went to buy them, and that those 40 Bibles would be exactly enough? Because he’s God, I guess. But to me, it’s reassurance, that he also knows exactly how many Ugandan shillings it will take to pay school fees for 30 kids. And that he has it covered.
The blanket bit. Another “How dumb could I be?” moment came today when I ran across this tidbit in their very nice quarterly report: “We are have managed to visit 25 (twenty-five) orphans and provided them with counseling services. Twelve (12) orphans out of 25 have no blankets and any other beddings for keeping them warm.” A blanket is 10,000 shillings, less than $6. I wanted to cry. I am crying as I write this. Why had it never occurred to me to ask if these kids had a blanket? So by the grace of God, the budget grows another $70. (By the way, it was a very good report. All the kids are healthy. None of the goats have died, and some have had babies, twins even.)
Anyone want to give? Here’s a rundown of “what is what” (as they say here). We have a bit left from money people gave when we got married, but there’s quite a bit left to go. We’re looking at 24 primary school students and 6 secondary school students for next year.
- School supplies (uniform, books, etc.) for a primary student = $25
- School fees and supplies for a secondary student = $265
- Blankets = $6 each
And of course there is still a huge need for funds to develop the land they have bought. We sent a couple hundred several months ago so they were able to plant maize, and will have a harvest this year! But they would love to buy tools, chickens, things like that. (Whatever one puts on a farm. I wouldn't know.) And they’re dying for a motorcycle so the group members don’t have to walk hours and hours when they visit the kids at home or visit them at school. I’m not sure I have enough faith for a motorcycle at this moment. But God is big.
One more thing (dear long-suffering reader): they are having a “Thanksgiving service” on Dec. 18. They wrote me out a very nice invitation, reading:
With great pleasure, you are invited to attend the prayers in which we are going to pray for our orphans for having ended the year while they are in school.
We are also to pray for our friends in America for the support they give to us that has pushed our orphans ahead academically and socially. The prayers will be conducted on 18th December, 2007 starting at 9:00am-6:00 pm.
We are waiting for you with vigor.
Of course, I told them I wouldn’t be able to attend, but would be praying with them in the States. And of course, no Ugandan party can happen without a meal and a couple crates of soda, so attached to the invitation was a budget, for about $125. Ha ha—they were both inviting me to their party and asking me to pay for it. I don’t mind. The kids need a Christmas party. (One more thing I never would have thought of without help.) They can get their Bibles (probably the only Christmas gift any of them will get) and the 5 new ones can get goats and they can all have a fun day and thank God. A real Thanksgiving Day. (Anyone want to sponsor the party?)
