So on Monday the 10th, we had the chance to go to the Discipleship House that is run by Frontline. Presently, there are 4 boys who have been removed from the street that live with two leaders. What an amazing night of worship, Bible study, and fellowship with our brothers!
The leaders are Derrick and Nathaniel. Derrick is currently in Bible College. He has been working with street children the last couple of years and has felt the call by God to become a pastor. His desire is to plant churches in China. Yeah, that’s right! He wants to go and plant churches in a country where Christians are persecuted. Nathaniel is from Indiana and has been teaching at an international school in Kampala for the last year and a half. You can see the respect he receives from the boys and the love they have for him.
Enough about the leaders, how about the night? It had been a long day for us already, and we were hoping to find our way through the city to be met by Nathaniel to go to the house. All our connections were made and we got a good walk in as we arrived. It is like most homes here, very modest. The kitchen is outside. The living room was big enough for a table and room to sit around it. The boys slept in bunks in one bedroom, and the leaders slept in bunks in the other. We were all pretty tired as we got there, but the joy of the boys soon changed our energy level.
After we got the tour, we had a chance to just sit and talk. Some played cards and others played guitar. It was fun to drop in on all the different conversations. A huge meal of posha (similar to grits, but at least with a little taste) and beans was served. There was soo much that none of us could eat it all. After dinner we went around the room asking each other questions.
Henry: he has a hidden smile that he withholds when he can. However, it is hard because the joy of God fills his face. This is also true of Robert. It was one of the clearest pictures I have had of someone who had the countenance of the Lord. He is broad shouldered but speaks very quietly as most Ugandans do. He wants to be a pilot when he grows up. When asked what makes him sad he answered when people mistreat each other, and being with God keeps his smile going. When he was asked what he does when he hurts he said worship. We ended the evening with a study in Acts chapter 8. I was so humbled as Henry spoke with such conviction, calling each one of us to take more seriously the call of God to fearlessly share our faith with others. He then talked about how much he looked up to Stephen and Peter for their willingness the die for the cause of Christ, and said he would love to have the opportunity if that was what God asked of Him. I have been around many people who have said such words, but I really felt this was such raw honesty. I love Henry.
Robert: he also has a smile that is hard to contain, and a desire to worship God. He is smaller in stature and height than the others, but he is the most talkative and outgoing. Robert, like most boys here would like to be a professional soccer player. But if that doesn’t happen he wants to help people. When he was asked what he does when he is hurting he simply said he goes to God. He asks why is this happening and what is it that you want me to learn. Robert led our Bible study and worship time. He added that it was essential for us as followers to take the message to those who have never heard it. Andwhen persecution comes, to make sure we rejoice in it.
Thomas: he is a little shyer. He sinks back when he sits and talks low. He is tall and slender, and is still working to understand and speak English because he was on the streets for so long. Thomas wants to be a pastor. He said when times are tuff he reads his Bible because it provides the encouragement he needs. He was equally concerned that all of us be ready to take the word of God to all people. To always be ready to share and do it with boldness as the early Christians did.
I still can’t put into words what an amazing night we had. Each boy said they are so happy to look back and see what their lives were in comparison to where they are now. And each one of them is a testimony to God’s desire to redeem. It is their stories that we seek for each boy on the street. One of a life thrown away, but now shining for the glory of God!
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