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A Home of Hope

143 Million. It’s a big number- yes- but what if I told you it represented the number of orphans in our world today?

It’s a reality check. Our personal lives most likely reflect the American dream, maybe they don’t, either way we cannot live in a bubble. We cannot ignore the truth that stands before us.

I wake up in the morning, talk to my mom over coffee at breakfast, and hang out with my dad at night. I have been blessed with a family. Yet, I forget that most kids- even in America- don’t have that gift.

It’s easy to get caught up in my own life and my own problems. Where will I get a job? Who will I hang out with on Friday? Will I make an “A” in Finance? Blah blah blah. Although Christ DOES care about my life- the big and little things- I too easily get sucked up into myself.

I wish that everyday I woke up with a sense of urgency. I wonder what my life would look like if I started my day genuinely realizing there are injustices occurring to millions and millions all over the world, and that I am here for a purpose and there is more to life than myself.

In the small village of Wakiso sits an orange building. But to twelve orphans, it is more than a building….it is home. They have a house father and mother. It is a small model purposed to encourage a family type living situation. These children consider each other brothers and sisters, and today I am going to introduce you to a few of these beautiful children!

Meet….

Sharon. This girl loves to read and has two siblings. She is 10 years old and enjoys playing catch.

Godva. She enjoys playing hide and go seek and when she grows up she wants to be a doctor!

Amos. He loves to sing and play soccer. He has one brother and one sister.

Patrick. His favorite food is bread and likes to play games. He also likes math.

Jovan. He has two older sisters and he likes English and soccer.

These are such beautiful children who have scars because of our fallen world. Death, sickness, greed, and selfishness only name a few of the causes that left them broken and alone. However, because we serve a sovereign God, there IS redemption and healing from the wounds that have cut deep into these young hearts. The Lord is using his faithful servants on this earth as His hands and feet for the poor and needy. Thankfully, these children are now being cared for emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. They have hope. Tragically, there are so many who don’t. The Bible tells us, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27.

I ask that you take action upon the injustices in our world. YOU have been given specific gifts that can and will make a difference if you USE them!! The opportunity to sponsor a child is available through Wakiso Beads, but maybe you have a heart for somewhere else… your own city, the elderly, another country, drugs/prison…. wherever it may be I encourage you to do something!

For more information on getting involved in Uganda please email Olivia at oliviajharris@gmail.com.

The Beauty of Wakiso

Uganda has a distinct smell. From the moment I step off of the plane it’s there. The thing is… it kind of smells like burning trash & coal. The only way I ever figured this out was when I was driving in the country and said to my dad, “it smells like Africa!” He agreed and noted someone was burning trash. I love what that scent makes me feel and remember.

When I go to Uganda, I stay in Kampala, Uganda- the capital- home to over 3 million people by day. It’s buzzing with life, high-risers, women selling bananas, insane driving, and local markets. It’s not what a lot of people envision when they think of Africa (or at least what I imagined before I visited): straw huts with people dressed in traditional African attire dancing around a fire with their faces painted. Maybe I was ignorant.

If the geography alone does not make you fall in love -rich, dense foliage, strong mountains, and torrential rain fall- then the people will. Uganda is known as “the pearl of Africa” not only because of its beauty, but because of it’s people. They are genuine, gracious, welcoming and incredibly friendly. They welcome us “mzungus” –aka “white people.”

Here is where Uganda is located in relation to Africa:

Here is where Wakiso is located within relation to Kampala:

A thirty-minute drive out of Kampala takes us to Wakiso. After turning off the main road, it’s a bit bumpy and muddy to the local church we partner with. We pass by many homes made mostly from concrete. Little children either peep from behind windows or run, wave and scream with huge grins on their faces “Mzungu! Mzungu!”

We pull up and on the property is a children’s home, school, church, and medical clinic that all work together.

This is the church on the left with a school room on the right. Not pictured to the right is the church. Where the picture is being taken is another line of classrooms.

This a picture of some classrooms.

This is only the beginning of getting to know Wakiso!