I really wish you could come and see for yourself just how human beings live here. Of course it’s sad, but at times it is remarkable and truly amazing. We have seen so many inventive contraptions and gizmos and toys made from garbage that leave us smiling and marvelling at the ingenuity of mankind. From the guy who has converted a bicycle to a knife and scissor sharpener to the child who made a race car toy out of old discarded wire with bottle caps for wheels.

 

We know that our God is creative by his handiwork all around us so it should be of no surprise to see us, his image bearers showing signs of inventiveness and creativity no matter where we are. However, in a place like this, I still find it shocking. It is tough for all of us to remember that we are the image bearers of a loving God in a world filled with so much pain and strife but nevertheless, we are. I have become aware that our enemy also knows this and delights in mocking the creator by reducing us to our lowest denominator through poverty. Many live on streets, in muddy houses, and cardboard boxes, eating garbage, shivering from cold and disease. And that is just in Canada. Anytime we share, help and lift one of these brothers or sisters out of despair, we are restoring dignity to man and I believe, fighting on the frontlines in a war that is raging all around us. When we help the poor, love abounds and hell is pushed back.

 

It was so exciting to help a small village called Buloba. I spent a Saturday travelling there and visiting with children, widows and elderly men investigating their houses and living conditions. All had many stories to tell and were very pleased just to have someone to listen. Their problems were great, critical and overwhelming and I couldn’t do much at the time but promised to ask my friends if they would help. I made a list of all the needs and Karen posted them on our website and we waited for you to respond. Thanks to an awesome Aussie named Dave, we just delivered a whole truckload of blankets, mattresses, mosquito nets and clothes.   Also, Hussein received his new wheelchair thanks to Drew & Barb from Canada. Hussein is a man who has spent his entire 18 years crawling around on his hands as his legs are non-functional and inoperable. 

 

What a great day it was to finally have everything organized and sent with Wycliffe. He was so proud to dispense all the goods and did an amazing job.

 

It went so well that we have compiled another list for another small village in Mukono district just outside of Kampala. Our last website update chronicled the story of “The School with No School Gets a School”. Likewise, many of their homes are desperate and many children and the elderly sleep under horrible conditions. Check out the Help the Kids page if you would like to help with Mukono and see the Photos page to see pictures of delivery day in Buloba. It truly was Christmas in March.