Soon after arriving in Uganda, it quickly became apparent that God had arranged this wild ride years before. I began to view my life differently, it was one big test strung together by experiences and lessons learned that would become invaluable here. To know that Jesus himself had made me for the very purpose of doing good works which he has planned and prepared in advance has become very exciting. All those years I thought I was wasting my life building houses day after day, I was being prepared. All those skills I was learning have become life changing to these people. I was being equipped wonderfully for the task laid before me and strangely enough, I never saw it coming.

 

I met Goretti in August.  She was just another widow in a sea of widows (I don’t think anyone has penned “sea of widows” before). She, like everyone else here was struggling to get by. Once I was called at the 11^th hour to pay her rent because her slumlord was demanding his money “now now” (“now now” means right this second and should not be confused with “now” which could mean 15 minutes to 3 days). We normally never pay rent for anyone because this is a very slippery slope to get on, paved with banana peels. If we pay rent, even once, they will count on us to swoop in and save the day and will tell all of their friends about the wonderful new rent assistance program from Canada. But when I listened to her story and saw her four children living in a house 4 feet by 8 feet, that’s right – it’s not a misprint – 4 feet by 8 feet for five people. My heart went out to her.

 

I did what was forbidden and reached into my pocket and handed her three months rent which was past due. For thirty-five Canadian dollars I managed to keep her and her sweet little family safe and off of the street for a short time, even if her home was no bigger than a closet. We knew this was only a bandaid solution, one that would have to be revisited.

 

When we started our micro loan project, we were pleased to find Goretti’s name on the list of applicants. We pulled some strings and moved her name to the top of the list and she now has a booming cassava business (see the story from Oct. 27 called Hand Up Not Hand Out in the archives).

 

One of our Canadian friends saw the video and read the story and asked if she help Goretti by paying for a new house for her. At the same time we were frantically trying to find land for her, not an easy task. We have found that there are so many people in Uganda who desire to be loved, but very few who desire to love but that is a whole other story. So after searching and searching, finding and losing, we finally came across a small plot for sale that would be perfect. All the pieces had fallen into place, and two of my new friends, Dave and Brett from Australia were eager to come along for the ride and do a house Hippo style.

 

Do you remember the short animated film “The Little Drummer Boy” which is probably airing right “now now” in Canada, it being Christmas and all. You know the one with those freaky little animals that actually look quite terrifying to a 5 year old not to mention that evil slave master who gave me nightmares until I was 18. Why did he have to be so cruel? The only gift the poor little drummer boy could offer to baby Jesus was a song – “pa rum pa pum pum”, it was all he had to give. The message in the story is to bring what you know how to do and place it before Jesus.. Know that he wants to use your individual abilities to help people. And oh yes, don’t forget to start drumming. Click on the youtube link to see Goretti’s house.