It rained today… Never would’ve guessed that by the title, would you?
The majority of the team was at the construction site for Hope Children’s Village. Dr. Yarber and his wife Debbie along with Pam Vidrine travelled to the Ugandan hospital to preform surgeries. It was a rather stark awakening for some to experience work on a construction site, and a second home to others. Andrew and Robin were quite at home and soon dove into the work with little difficulty and no inhibitions. The rest of us, those inexperienced, slightly lost few, who, basically had no clue what to do or how to do it, were graciously and expertly instructed by the Ugandans on how and what to do. Soon everyone found their strong suit and in no time at all we saw people in the team becoming: brick carriers, road pavers, wall builders, cleaner uppers, lunch fixers, and many other types of “ers”. Me, I was a ditch digger; One of the more glamorous jobs in construction, ditch digging is.
To return to point, we worked like plow-horses for the next 7-9 hours, breaking briefly for tea and lunch. It was difficult, but very fun work, and it was God’s work. The thought of why we were doing it, who we were doing it for, and the difference it would make in the lives of little children, drove us on many times during the day and gave us new energy to continue.
The story here happened when, during a very late lunch at 3:30, it rained. Building came to a standstill.
After a time, it was decided that the entire team would travel to a school to do ministry with the young children there, and not just the few that had been initially intended to go.
It was unbelievable! Lighting up those kiddos lives just by caring enough to come and see them. The feeling of being special just because you were there, just because you existed, is unparalleled. It was as if we had given them each a million dollars and freedom from their poverty. They sang for us, we taught them songs. They listened to the youngest of our team, Christian and Bailey, tell them about Jesus and we made crafts with them. The blessing we gave to them was significant, but the blessing they gave us was so much greater. We were beacons of God’s love, and that is the most incredible feeling on this earth. To be filled with the love of God so much that it shines through you to the world… It is a thrill unparalleled by anything we can fathom.
And, the blessing in the rain was, that those working the construction site would never have experienced that joy and happiness on the faces of those kids, had it not rained that day.
God knows just what we need and allows us to serve Him and serve with Him. But, sometimes, God throws in things that we may not need, but He knows we will enjoy, because He is a good Father. The hope He allowed us to bring that day, is the wonderful blessing in the rain.
Until next time, Jared Allen signing off.