Another experience

Leaving behind Kampala, we exchanged the streets filled with “boda-bodas” (motorbikes) and lined with small shops for country roads still filled with “boda-bodas” but lined with lush, sloping farmlands. The road led us to Jinja, another well-traveled city of Uganda known for the nearby source of the Nile. We visited the large springs that afternoon via a packed wooden boat, but our primary destination was a local church that serves as a Compassion base for the area.
After a few minor navigating missteps, we found ourselves stepping off the bus to church overflowing with Compassion children who greeted us with a number of songs and dances. We returned the favor (though in a much less exuberant or flavorful manner), and proceeded to worship our one Lord and Savior together. I was marked by the moment where I sat down on the pew amidst a huddle of faces who were staring expectantly at the “mzungu” (white person) who was staring just as expectantly back at each of them. In that split-second I felt the awkwardness that comes right before the breaking of a barrier that previously blocked a God-intended oneness of His people.
After worship my group was ushered into the home of one the Compassion boys who lives with his mom. Though we saw her pride in her plant-selling business of which she made 1,000 Uganda shillings last week (less than a dollar), her heart for her son rang throughout the 10’ by 10’ home as she told of the passing of three other sons as well as her husband. However, her grip on the faithfulness of her Lord and Provider rang even louder as she works using what God has given and gives back all the glory.
Finally, the Lord would not let me leave without being reminded of the simple joy that oozes from the smiles of children as we joined the kids in a carnival consisting of face and nail painting, jump ropes, sack-races, bubbles, a Ugandan dominated soccer match and lots and lots of stickers.

Matt Larsen
Class of 2012
Journalism Major
Hometown: Katy, Texas
First time to Uganda and Africa