Kacey

Village Children

"Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed.  Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's Law."  Galatians 6:2 

I saw her walking with her friends from across the soccer field. The girl with big brown eyes, in the torn, ragged skirt, with a dirty, filthy shirt two sizes too big.  A little girl with a somber face, sad eyes, a thin body.  I was drawn to her, to who she was, to a little girl I didn't even know.  I had an urge inside my spirit to go over to her, say hi and give her a hug.  A hug she needed, a hug she had never experienced, something I was unaware of at that point but would quickly learn.  So I took a break from soccer and walked over to the village children who were watching us, all the beautiful children, the beautiful little girl with big brown eyes.  I touched each of their hands and said "Hi" asking them their names.  They each, in their own unique way, answered me, giggling because my skin is white, excited that I was actually interested in them.  Happiness in their hearts, on their faces unaware of their circumstances.  Then I came to the little girl with the sad eyes, the one I was drawn to.  I asked her name, she whispered back looking at the ground.  I asked her again and I faintly heard the name Kacey.  A name I knew well, a name that sounded much like my daughters whom I love so very much.  I then realized this little girl is different than the others.  She didn't giggle, she didn't smile, she was not excited that a white person was talking to her, she was sad. Something inside me drew me to her.  Now I know why.

Kacey

The next week we went to the soccer field I waited with much anticipation hoping Kacey would come to watch.  I tried my best to play but was distracted looking for her.  The game was over. Still no Kacey.  Then I saw her from the distance, with two other children, walking towards the field.  I recognized her well, same rags she wore last week, same sad somber eyes, same beautiful face.  I approached her and gave a hug to a limp body that did not hug back.  I spoke to her, she just looked at me, no smile, no emotion, a sad face.  I hugged her again and it was then I noticed the sores on her legs and arms.  Large round sores that appeared to be infected.  I asked Kacey what happened.  She didn't answer, she didn't know.  It was then I knew that God had placed Kacey before me, gave me the feeling in my heart to help her, to love her.  To do all I can to help her understand love, what it is and how it feels to be loved.  You see, Kacey doesn't know this because she hasn't experienced love as God wants.  She lives a neglected life with her father and stepmother.  She is expected, at 3 years old, to find her own food, bath herself, and daily take care of herself.  At that moment I knew I needed to take her home, bath her, put medicine on her sores and love her.  I searched for her father to ask permission.  He was more than happy to let Kacey go with a mzungu.  We started on our journey home, Kacey riding on my back, the girls that live in the compound with me explaining to her in her own language where we were going.  She wasn't scared, in fact she was happy the girls said, although I did not see happiness on her face.  When we arrived home I fed her, bathed her, gave her a new dress and loved her.  We all showed her love by talking to her, playing with her, holding her, telling her Bible stories and of course hugging her.  She experienced the love of God and will soon know exactly what it is to be loved.  I will make sure of that, I decided.  I will visit her every week, love her.  We walked her home with her new clothes, her clean body and her new experience of love.  I gave her stepmother medication to put on the sores and we hugged and kissed Kacey goodbye.  A sad face that didn't want us to go.

We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean.  But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.  

Mother Teresa

Sores we found on Kacey's body

The next week I was so excited to visit Kacey, hoping the sores on her body were healed and hoping to find a happy face.   I went to visit Kacey on Wednesday but my heart fell very sad when I found her very sick.  She was running a high fever and the sores on her body were even worse.  The stepmother hadn't put the medication on her sores and was not interested in taking her to the doctor.  I spoke with the father and offered to pay for the doctor visit if he would take her.  He refused saying he was too busy.  That spoke loudly to me.  It was in my hands, I needed to get her to the doctor.  The father gave me permission to take her.  I gave money to Auntie Millie, our wonderful house mother who lives with us.  She took Kacey to the doctor.  We decided it best that a Ugandan take her due to comfort and raising of prices when a mzungu is involved.  I waited patiently for Auntie Millie to return. Upon return Auntie Millie explained that Kacey had a bacterial infection and the doctor prescribed medication to help her.  I wanted to keep her, nurse her back to health, love her but I knew I must take her home.  We took her home, gave her stepmother the prognosis and the medication.  We all said a prayer for Kacey and bid our farewells.  She is in God's hands now.  I trust He will heal her and protect her.

The honorary duty of a human being is to love.

If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.

My relationship with Kacey continues.  I visit her every week sometimes more and share His love with her.  We bring her to our home when we can to help her understand the feeling of a family and to experience love from many people.  Two weeks ago she came to our home for a birthday celebration.  She danced, played, ate chocolate cake and actually smiled and giggled as a normal 3 year old girl.  She is now learning how to receive a hug and return the hug in her own way.  Her face lights up with joy now when she sees me.  I know God is at work and will continue to work in Kacey's life.  Kacey's stepmother is also starting to be receptive and friendly to us.  I believe God is working in her as well and will teach her how to love Kacey properly.  That is my goal, to help the whole family understand God's love and how to share it with each other and others.  I know God will transform them all to that understanding!  Kacey attends church every Sunday now with the girls I live with.  They look forward to picking her up every Sunday and taking her with them.  One day I know the stepmother and father will accept our invitation to join us.  I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.  As long as God continues to put children before me I will continue to be kind and merciful.  I will let no one ever come to me without coming away better and happier.  I want to be the living expression of God's kindness, His fragrance, His love.

Mother Teresa put it best when she said, “The world today is hungry not only for bread but hungry for love; hungry to be wanted, to be loved.  They’re hungry to feel that presence of Christ.  In many countries, people have everything except that presence, that understanding.  That’s why the life of prayer and sacrifice comes to give that love.  By being contemplative, you are to be that presence, that bread of God to break.”