As we are near the end of our time here in East Africa, there is so much to reflect on. So many things God has done. So many challenge. So many times where i had to fight my flesh. But for now, I want to tell you about a beautiful and transformative experience I had in service during our time in Uganda for SLAM.
I was put as the service project lead for a group who would be going to serve at a local primary school. The kids ranged from 5 years old to 8 or 9. It was called “Divine foundation school.” I expected it to be a good experience, not for it to completely change my life.
When we arrived, all of the kids came out and sang songs for us. We were all filled with immense joy hearing the voices of precious children. The teacher told us that in the 10 years the school has been running, they have never had visitors come to their school. Literally all the students and teachers were freaking out that we had come to serve them.
We spent 2 days going to that school. We played games with them. We built a trash hole so they can in a proper way dispose garbage. We fixed their fence that was old and leaning over in an inhospitable way. We also took care of some gardening so the school looked more presentable. But the most powerful moment was the last few minutes we were there.
The lead teacher stops us and thanks hs for coming. She said she knows God has sent us and that she had been praying the Lord will show her she was with them; that’s when we came. She expressed how much she loved us and how much she is praying that the Lord will use and protect us. My heart was filled with love. The way she was speaking in gratitude filled my life. As i looked in her eyes, I had seen how God sees her. A woman who is having to lead these students, in the midst of darkness and poverty, but she keeps going. I seen how God sees her, she is the laborer of the kingdom in which no one builds her up. But we were there to build that up, give her a space where she can feel loved and cared for.
As I develop into my capacity as a teacher in the states, she gives me drive. I am committing myself to remember her as I serve children all over the world. I want my kids and friends to know her, and serve with that same heart.