Since our last meeting at FOCUS, this Adopt Uganda team member has increasingly felt the weight of the mission that lies before us. Linda Griffith, our team leader/mentor/guru/woman of awesomeness, laid some heavy stuff on us about what the local Pastor was hoping we could bring during our short stay. It wasn't something simple like teaching the parables or the story of the loaves and fishes. No. His number one concern was the continued brutalizing of the local children. That's right.
I'm with kids ALL THE TIME. I live with one, easily count another 25 as my own at school, and hang out with yet another 15 or so at church every Sunday. Children are at the very core of my existence. I've been a whistle blower on occasion having seen my share of kids from abusive homes or those who'd been sorely neglected in other ways. In our society, this behavior is simply not acceptable - whether you're a Believer or not. Ethics are ethics. You don't beat a child.
Linda explained more to us that Pastor Lucas had shared with her. In their society, it's perfectly acceptable for a child to be caned. Where women are essentially second class citizens in their world, children rank far below. His desire for our team is to communicate, somehow, Christ's compassion and character. How do you change a culture? This is a monumental task.
Please be in prayer for me, for our team, as we plan our conference for the children's leaders.
As we in the US wrap up another Super Bowl Sunday, the kids in Uganda might be kicking around another ball. Like so many other countries around the globe, the national sport in Uganda is football (read: soccer); however, they love their cricket, too. In fact, the Uganda national cricket has become quite popular lately. Not to mention, the Uganda national rugby union team won the 2007 Africa Cup.
One way we hope to reach the children when in Busia is through play: sports, imaginative, song, dance and maybe just being still. One way we hope to help the children's leaders is to show them how to connect with their children through play and how it ties with scripture and the stories of Jesus. A concept so simple to us, but still so foreign to them.
Please be in prayer for our team as we prepare our minds and hearts for the task ahead!
