Wow, I can't believe how long it has taken me to actually be able to write about this since I returned from Africa. However, I feel like it is time for me to share the experience that changed my life this summer.
On July 24th, we went to an area outside of Kampala called Masaka in Uganda. One of the pastors from One Love Church, Jerome, told us we were going to an orphanage for special needs children. Of course, I was absolutely ecstatic about loving on some sweet children. After riding on a bus for about an hour, we arrived at a village. The bus had to park on one side of the road so we had to cross the street to the where the orphanage was (that was an experience in itself since pedestrians DO NOT have the right a way in Uganda). We all started walking when out of nowhere, these children run up to us and hug us with big smiles on their faces. I didn't even look at the children, I just remember doing the same thing and hugging them back! One particular little girl wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly. I fell in love immediately, no question about it.
We finally made it to the orphanage which was a small house with three small bedrooms. Right away this little girl and I found a place to sit on the floor right outside their house. I looked her right in the eyes and told her "You are beautiful!". She then caressed my face and said, "You too!". We kept telling each other this for a few minutes and then I asked her for her name. She said, "My name is Elizabeth." with the biggest smile I have ever seen in my life. I hugged her and told her "I love you Elizabeth!". It was the kind of love that had no explanation or needed time to develop, it simply flowed between us. I truly fell in love with her instantly.
This is Elizabeth...
That's exactly how we hugged each other the whole time I was there.
Jerome then called us and told us that the woman who started the orphanage wanted to tell us her story. Her name is Noelina and this is a picture of her...
Noelina does not have legs and gets around by crawling with her arms. This has not stopped her from being obedient to God's calling for her life. Noelina told us that God called her to care for orphans when she met a little girl also with disabilities. This little girl was treated like an outcast by her family. Her family built a hut away from their home and kept her there naked. She was fed like a dog by her family and had no interactions with anyone. Noelina found her and God told her to take this little girl under her care. As Noelina talked to this little girl and tried to convince her to go with her, the little girl had many questions for her. Questions such as "What did I steal from God?" and "Why do you want to care for me?" Noelina told her that she also had disabilities and that together they could survive. Noelina told her that God loved her more than she could imagine, and that it wasn't God that did that to her. After talking to the little girl for hours, she finally agreed to go with Noelina. Noelina started to take care of her and raised her as her own daughter. This little girl grew up and started her own business in the capital of Kampala. Before she left she told her mother "Momma, you can't stop here. We have to help more children like me." Noelina agreed and started the orphanage out of her home.
Children with special needs are abandoned in Uganda because their parents do not know how to care for them. It is easier for them to abandon them rather than to figure out how to take care of them. Many of them are afraid and take the easy way out. Noelina has her own disabilities, she is unable to walk and is also deaf. Nevertheless, she listened to God's call and obeyed Him. Now she has 27 orphans under her care in a small three bedroom home. She tries her best to send them all to school, feed them and care for them. However, the needs are many. As I spoke more to Elizabeth, I found out that these children have one meal a day most of the time because that is all they can afford. These children would love to go to school but there is no money to send them. In Uganda, you have to pay to go to school, buy uniforms, books, and school supplies.
As I spoke to Elizabeth, I asked her if she liked school. She immediately looked at me and said, "Yes! I want to be a doctor!" I answered, "I believe you can be a doctor, Elizabeth." Elizabeth smiled again, hugged me, and said, "I love you!"
My heart broke and I didn't know how I could make a difference in the lives of these children, of Noelina, who has given her entire life for the sake of these children. She gave everything up in order to take care of the children who no one else wanted. What impacted me the most about all this was how happy the children are even though they only eat once a day and will most likely not go to school again this year because of the lack of resources. That is what is all about. Noelina tries her best to provide for these children but above all, she loves them with the kind of love that only God can offer. Noelina understands that because of the love Jesus has for her, she is able to offer that kind of love to these precious children.
The hardest part about relating to these children is having to say goodbye to them. Our leader came around and told us it was time to go, and to start saying our goodbyes. I dreaded telling Elizabeth that but I had no choice. As we walked back to the front of the orphanage, I asked Elizabeth if she would make a heart with her hands with me and take a picture. She smiled and said, "Yes!" Here is the picture...
After we took the picture, I turned around and realized Elizabeth was crying. That's when I lost it and I just hugged her. I kept telling her that I loved her and that I would never forget her. I told her I would tell her story and that God would make a way to bring us back together. My friend was snapping pictures and she got this one...
This is what inspired me to come back to the United States and not just tell Elizabeth's story. I wanted to take my faith and put it into action. I cried so much after I left. My heart was truly broken for what breaks God's heart.
So, here I am telling you about Elizabeth. I did some research with the people in Uganda and found out that it costs $100 per year to send a child to school in Uganda. That cost pays for school fees, uniforms, shoes, books, and school supplies for an entire year. I want US to ask ourselves this question. Let's take a few seconds to look around and ask "How much did I pay for this phone/computer/ipad/ipod/lap top I am using to read this blog right now? $100? $200? $300? Perhaps even $400? I know that I paid $300 for this lap top I am using to type up this blog. It's so easy to spend that amount of money in a few minutes. We spend $20 in going out to eat.
Friends, I have answered to God's call and have decided to sponsor Elizabeth so she can go to school and continue her way to becoming a doctor in the future. I want to help her achieve her dreams because I know she can do it. The most awesome thing about it was when she told me she wanted to be a doctor so she can help people with disabilities like herself.
As part of my answer to God's call to help, I have decided to tell people Elizabeth's story at churches, homes, meetings, etc... There are many who went on this mission trip who have been called in different ways to help Noelina, this orphanage, and the precious children who live there. I would LOVE to tell you about those plans if you are interested.
If God has touched your heart as you read this and would like to help, please let me know. I would love to talk to you about how together we can make a difference in the lives of these children. The need is there, all we need to do is to be obedient and answer to God's command to take care of His orphans.
Thank you again for allowing me to pour out my heart to you tonight. God bless you!
San Juanita
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