Ultimate Encounter

I must share with you the story of a girl at Kutamba. This is the most evident, direct, spiritual encounter of my actual journey (God's faithfulness before the trip was another huge spiritual lesson-see early posts) . There were other spiritual moments on the trip, but this was the most impacting for me. I really wish I knew her name. I think I was so surprised when we met because of what she did, I didn’t think to even ask at the time. I did manage to ask Eric to take our picture together.

The day of the groundbreaking for the Kutamba AIDS Orphans School, we also visited the temporary facilities. We had visited with the kids for a bit, then it was time to go. The kids sang us one more song, and we began to walk back down the path toward the van. Instead of the kids just standing in front of their buildings and waving as we left, they sang and escorted us down the path. I was about a fourth of the way, clapping along and enjoying the music when I felt a tug on my backpack purse. I wondered who was doing it and why. I turned around, and it was the girl in the attached picture. She took my purse and wanted to carry it for me to the end of the path. Once I understood her offer, I helped her position it so she had both straps over her shoulders. I was so honored, humbled, and blessed that she chose to serve me in this way. It still brings tears to my eyes. I shared this at church at communion time at church as a wonderful example of how Jesus chose to serve--to carry our burdens to the end—for him, it was to the cross. It was also wonderful confirmation of the effectiveness of ministry with children—they “get” faith and they "get" service, and often far more clearly and with less reservation than we do as adults. I will never forget that experience.