Forever Changed

4 years ago I started my time as a teacher at Heritage International School in Uganda.  Little did I know I would meet people within the first few weeks of my time who would change my life.  I had seen them at the school before classes started, their guardians getting them all registered.  They were scrawny little guys with very dark chocolate skin, and bright, shiny, hopeful eyes.  Within the first week of school, my friend Nick was asked to hang out with the them while their guardians went back to the States for a few weeks.

We had a random holiday in the middle of the 2nd or 3rd week of school.  Nick asked myself and my roommate to come hang out with him and the guys.  We went with Nick to pick them up and then 6 of us (one of the other guys came too) headed to the beach to play volleyball and football (soccer).  The boys were pretty quiet and a bit reserved.  We played volleyball for a few hours before getting some dinner... and some sodas which was a treat!  While sitting around the table just off the shore of Lake Victoria, the guys began to open up a bit.  They answered my never-ending line of questions with their low English skills, smiling all the while.  The boys were so sweet and thoughtful, very obedient and helpful.

Lino and I with some other random dudes

Jean, Saudi, Lino, Angelo, Nick, me

Dinner  and sodas near Lake Victoria

From that point on, I hung out with Lino and Angelo every now and then.  I saw them at school everyday, playing basketball with them during their lunch hour.  Then came the fall retreat for the high schoolers.  I was asked to help lead worship and come as a chaperone.  On that retreat, Lino kept to himself quite a bit so I made it a point to go and sit with him while all the other kids were swimming or socializing.  Some times we didn't speak much, other times once Lino got going, there was no stopping him.  I learned many "African-English" phrases pretty quickly.  I think he enjoyed trying to explain his English to me and laughing at me when I just didn't get it.  A friendship was being formed, trust being built.

Sitting and chatting around the pool.  Photo bomb by Elijah.

Bonfire on the last night of the retreat

Unfortunately their story, though amazing and incredibly difficult, is not unlike many from boys their age from their area.  I slowly got bits and pieces of their story as time went on.

Lino got sick on November 9th, 2008.  I got the call during a prayer meeting.  The next day, as soon as school ended I went to the hospital to see him.  Aside from his amazing guardians, (now parents) Jade and Shelah, Nick and I were the only ones welcome to visit him.  When he was finally able to go home, he still wasn't able to go to school.  I made it my business to go and sit with him, help him with homework, hang out and watch movies.  I "babysat" him, for lack of a better term when Jade and Shelah had things to do, as he couldn't be alone.  Though it was really hard and mentally, emotionally, and spiritually draining, I feel very privileged to have seen him through some very, VERY scary times. There were days when he didn't say much of anything to anyone... but it always seemed like he was willing to talk to me.
As he got better and things went back to normal, or as normal as they get in Africa, I felt very bonded to the family.  It wasn't uncommon to find me there in the evenings getting to know all of the guys Jade and Shelah sponsor.

Some of the guys at our house for dinner

Last youth group, Lino trying stilts for the 1st time

Over that year I saw those guys go through a lot, more than I can say here, but I also saw them overcome a lot.  Just the improvement in their English skills alone was amazing.  I left Uganda in June of 2009, beyond sad and terrified that I wouldn't see them ever again.  Quite a dramatic way of thinking, but when people and a place change you so irreversibly, it's hard to imagine not seeing them again.  I got most of my emotions out before I landed in America and I had resolved that I was getting back to Uganda, one way or another, SOON.  It had become apparent to me that God placed me in Uganda not only to teach that year, but to be someone that Lino could trust and feel comfortable with as he went through the illness.  Who woulda thunk?

Thanks to facebook, email, and skype I was able to keep in touch while I was in the States.  Upon returning to Uganda January, 2011, a lot had changed!  The guys were no longer scrawny little guys, but young men, juniors in high school.  Things went back to the way they left off, except that I didn't teach at the school this last time... I taught ESL at a refugee center, and worked with WGM Africa doing marketing.  We went back to being good friends, hanging out, playing volleyball, and cooking yummy food.  They allowed me to record each of their life stories (5 of the guys), 3 of whom are former child soldiers.  I learned a LOT about Sundanese culture, general culture in East Africa, and thoughts on the outside world from their point of view.

When school started back up, Lino and Angelo were given the opportunity to go Canada for their senior year of high school.  Not an opportunity to be passed up, they went.  It was weird to say goodbye to them as they left Africa and I stayed, but I was proud of them.

At their going away party before leaving for Canada

When I got home in December last year, the guys were in Alabama on school holiday.  I flew down there on New Years Eve, just 12 days after I had gotten home from Uganda.  I spent about 4 days with them, Jade and Shelah, and their family.  It was quite different seeing them here in the States, but what a blessing!

At the movies in Birmingham

What brought on this blog post?  Last night I talked to the guys on the phone for about an hour from their dorm room at college in Atlanta!  It was crazy to think how much has happened in the last 4 years that I've known them... to see how much they've changed, how far they've come, and the type of men they are becoming. I'M SO PROUD OF THEM!  I know their histories, I know where they've come from, and to see them where they are today is incredible.  Jade and Shelah must be overwhelmed when they think about their journey with these guys.  It's not been without struggles... dealing with teenage guys is no easy feat... and these boys are NO exception!

Would you join me in praying for these guys as they adjust to life at university, deal with classes, friends, temptations, etc.?  Also, more importantly would you pray for their souls?

Africa by Paul Coleman Trio

Africa, I came to change you, but instead you changed me
And I confess, I came to frame in a photograph
But you showed me why
And you turned this heart around
And I see your smile, how it can be
So much brighter than me

And your silent eyes, they scream
Of hunger and meaning and eternal dreaming
Africa

Africa, we smiled at you from behind the glass
And without reserve and whiter than snow
You smiled back at us
And you showed me who
And you turned this mind around
And I see your hands reach out to God
So much higher than ours


And your silent eyes, they scream
Of hunger and meaning and eternal dreaming
Africa

Afrika mimi nakupenda