Into the slums

Sunday was a beautiful day! It was warm and rainy, just they way I like it! Since the children do not come to Smile Africa on Sunday's, the typical routine is to attend church with Pastor Ruth and her family. However, this Sunday was a bit different since Mama Ruth is still in Soroti taking care of the final things for her mother's property. I knew that we were not going to attend church today, so I had a long quiet time with Jesus. I had praise and worship in my room and then read the Bible a lot. I then decided I was going to preach...to no one. Lol. I stood up and began preaching at the walls of my hotel room. It was really a sight to see. I was practicing...just in case. hehe.
I made some breakfast for Bogere and hopped on a boda and went to Smile, but my boy was not there. It was urgent that I find him because I had his medicine that he needs to take every single day for HIV. So I walked the way that I usually see him walking and I came upon his mother. She told me that Bogere wasn't there, she told me that he was with his friends in town. I asked her if this is where they stayed and she said nodded her head 'yes'. My heart melted in my chest. My son, my baby, was living in the poorest conditions. If it were to rain, he would get wet and could get very sick. It was devastating to see that. I saw a lot of the children that live in the same village as Bogere that also attend Smile. All of their houses were made of mud and cow dung. My son, the love of my life, was sleeping in poop every night. My heart started pounding, I did not like that at all. The only thought that came into my head was "There has to be something that I can do!"

I smiled at his mother and said thank you and I walked away. Then I heard my name shouted from behind. I turned and there was Bogere, running to me as fast as he could. I smiled at the sight of him sprinting to me. I bent down and swooped him up as he jumped into my arms. I walked away with him for a little bit. I gave him his breakfast and his medicine and I told him that I would be back tomorrow. Although I wanted to take him with me, I had to go back to Mama Ruth's house so that I could help the other girls prepare lunch. I hated leaving him, but I knew that I would be back, and so did he. As I got on the back of a boda, I looked back at Bogere and he smiled and waved at me and then ran back home. As I sat on the kitchen floor of Mama Ruth's house with the other girls to prepare lunch, I could not say much. Bogere was on my mind, his house, the conditions, all of it. It consumed me with worry. All of my "sisters" could tell that my mind was somewhere else and they asked in Swahili, "Sister, are you ok?" I snapped out of it and made a choice to change my attitude. Me sitting there and worrying about him, was not going to do anything for anyone! Then I heard the voice of my father speak to my heart. This is what he said to me, "My beloved daughter, why are you worrying about MY son. Do you really think that I have forgotten him? I moved Heaven and Earth so that you would meet for the first time, and I loved him so much that I sent you from the other side of the world just to show him the love of the Father. Do not worry about something that I am taking care of. For my word says, Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified because of them, for the Lord you God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:6
Thank you God for reminding me of Your great Love.