Katanga

Gift

The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
 ~Fredierick Buechner

Today started off as every normal Ugandan morning. Beautiful, chilly, waking to birds singing and roosters crowing. Although as I woke this morning I knew that I was going on adventure that I would never forget. I did not know how much this adventure would touch my heart, but God did. Every day here is a new adventure for me, learning more about the culture, seeing and experiencing new life changing experiences, learning more words in Luganda, and experiencing the love that the Ugandan people poor out to us. Every new day opens my eyes to a new way of life, a simple way of life. Today my journey would take me to the Katanga slums. The scenery today was different for me. A new place, new sidewalks to walk, new streets to cross, new people to say "hello, how are you?" and smile. I don't even know where to begin to describe the poverty I experienced. Until you actually walk the dirt there you will not understand. As we walked up very small children ran and started to hug our legs. They smiled and were so happy to see us mzungus! white people. We walked in and around the slum area. In the slum there is a very narrow path to follow, with a ditch of water running through. I think there was probably urine and feces flowing there. We followed the path in and around corners leading us to the next group of huts. The huts were very small and on either side of us with people sitting in front of them leaving very little room for us to walk. The people were friendly but I'm sure were wondering what the mzungas were doing there. There were children everywhere as we walked. I had to wonder if they had parents and where they may have been. We arrived at Momma Rita's house. Her 2 year old daughter saw us round the corner and hugged our legs. I kneeled down to hug her. She was so happy. Momma Rita saw us and invited us into her hut. There was barely enough room for us all to fit. She had 2 very small beds and a very small area I think was her kitchen. The floor was dirt. Momma Rita has HIV. She was telling us she had been in the hospital with her 2 year old, Gift, for 2 weeks. She is pregnant and was sick and they diagnosed Gift with malaria. The doctors gave her a prescription of antibiotics for Gift but she didn't have any money to fill it. AC and Angeline gave her money to fill it.


We stayed and visited for awhile and then said our goodbyes, until next time. My heart and mind filled with a desperation to do something more for these people, these precious children. I had to realize that our presence alone was a blessing. They are people accustomed to their ways and their lifestyle. The greatest blessing of all was sharing God's light and love with them as we walked on the very narrow paths. I prayed in my heart the God would continue touch each and every one of the people with His presence and His love while we are away.


We do many outreaches to slums, hospitals and orphanages. If you are interested in helping by donating items for us to take or money to buy items here for the people please message me at kraliklynne@gmail.com. I will give you more information.


Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your goods works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16