The Pearl of Africa

If you know me at all, you probably know I have a slight obsession with pearls. Maybe I should’ve known I’d wind up in Uganda eventually since it is known as “The Pearl of Africa”. This past week I have truly glimpsed why.

Having my parents here along with Sarah and I was such a treat. I would’ve never imagined that I would get to experience Africa with them. We started our week in Kampala, Uganda’s biggest city. Here we saw two of the Watoto Ministries campuses: a baby home and a children’s village. I first heard about Watoto two years ago at Passion. Marilynn Skinner, the woman who started this ministry, spoke with fervor about their mission of caring for orphans. Watoto is home to over 2,000 of these children and their vision is to bring these kiddos up in the traditional Ugandan way. They do not adopt out but raise these kids from birth through age 25. Watoto seeks to provide and supply every need from food and education to a family lifestyle. It was a truly beautiful place to visit that housed an inspiring mission. I was both blessed and encouraged to see the work of Watoto. As we traveled back to the city from the village, discomfort set in as we were repeatedly approached by beggars and unsure of what to do. Christ has called us to feed those that are hungry and clothe those that are naked, but in the long-run, a handout be of no benefit. Hunger will set in again. Clothing will be tattered. I just kept thinking that they need Jesus. Fortunately there are programs established for people living on the streets; our drivers told us it is often a ploy to trick tourists or missionaries to just giving them money. However, it was a tough feeling to reckon with as we drove through the crowded streets and sought to determine our response. Honestly, I’m still working on what that entails…

After spending some time in Kampala, we journeyed north to Murchison Falls. This is a game-park lush with natural beauty. Upon arriving, we were able to see these Falls which house the Nile River. I have not had the opportunity to step foot in many places that are mentioned in the Bible so to be in such a place was truly incredible. How often is this mighty river Nile spoken of within God’s Word? I felt privileged and in awe to be in such a place. After experiencing the falls, we made our way to our lodge. Gosh, talk about being spoiled: it was so nice! From here we were able to take two game drives. We saw hundreds of giraffes, thousands of deer-like creatures, elephants, lions, hippos, warthogs, and so much more. It reminded me that this place, this huge continent of Africa, was specially created by God and holds such majestic beauty. As I sat atop a safari vehicle, next to my sister and mom, with the Nile ahead and the sunset behind, I felt God’s presence overwhelm me. I truly couldn’t believe that it was real life! Here we were, half-way around the world, in a third world country, experiencing such unscathed beauty created by our Lord…it was a moment of wonder for sure!

After our time at Murchison, we traveled back to Jinja (my home away from home for the summer). While here Sarah was our resident tour-guide; she took us to many ministries and places that are living out God’s Word and loving on the least of these. It was a privilege to get to again experience it together as a family. There is so much injustice in this world: why do millions of children live with HIV or malaria or malnutrition? Or worse yet, all three? Why do parents abandon their kiddos? Why is the Church not responding in a greater way? After coming face to face with such atrocities, we repeatedly returned to one question: what will our response be? So for now, I’m here: living with question, pondering what the Lord is calling me to, and enthralled with this Pearl of a country that surrounds me.