a little fella in uganda on mother’s day

the last few years i’ve followed many of the compassion bloggers tours. ( “Compassion’s ministry is focused on the individual child and his or her development. By working holistically with individual children to address their spiritual, economic, social and physical needs, we present every child with an opportunity to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.”) several of my friends have traveled and met their sponsored child. their words & the images are such a powerful testimony.

may of 2012 my friend myquillyn was over in tanzania on one of the tours meeting her sponosored kiddos. i would sit at the computer and weep as she she poured out her heart. i’d catch myself smiling as tears streamed down my face. i probably sat here & shook my head as if to say, yes. this is what it’s always been all about. connecting with another person & loving them like jesus. that can come in all sorts of forms & can look completely different each time. it can be helping a handicapped person load her groceries, it can be serving in your local co-op. it can be using your purchasing power to empower the marginalized. or it can be through sending a monthly sponsorship to a child in another country. or it can writing about decorating truths from a 15-year old over in africa.

each morning i’d wake in hopes that she’d written again while i slept. i hoped that she would share more about these children and their stories. her raw simple beautiful powerful words spoke to my heart.

it was mother’s day morning 2012. i was up before everyone else, we would soon be heading out to church to celebrate mother’s day. fancy food and handmade flowers. the works. in an airconditioned church. and i’d say goodnight to my own children later that day. things we probably take for granted most of the time. i knew i wanted to sponsor a child in uganda & began to search the faces. i landed upon brians sweet little face. as i read his bio i realized it listed the family members that he lived with, but didn’t mention a mama. so i signed up to sponsor that sweet little man who i assumed didn’t have one, on mother’s day.

i don’t know all his story but i know he likes to play with soccer balls & is doing well in school. i email him letters & pictures and tell him about brinkley.

below is the image from that day two years ago on the compassion website. i loved his red checkered shirt and wonder if he’s bashful or mischievous. silly or serious. the image on the right is the most recent that i have. is he precious???? oh my. and we’re twins because i have the same sandals. i’m certain if he thought some mom in america had birks just like him he’d probably roll his eyes and grin.

i pray he knows how wide & deep & high is the Father’s love for him. and i pray perhaps he knows how much the mama in america who has four daughters & a big furry dog, who wears birkenstocks as well, loves & prays for him too.