Smile Africa

Smile has been as wonderful, chaotic, beautiful, and awful as ever. Kids fighting, kids dancing and singing, kids using my body as a jungle gym, kids crying, kids yelling with joy over bubbles, and kids that are sick... that’s just a little piece of Smile. I’m so thankful I had the chance to revisit the kids there, and I look forward to doing so in the future during my breaks from school.

so happy to have their wudje (porridge)!

reading a book about bnguni (heaven)

Abuchay and Roberto

One of the most heartbreaking things when at Smile is the babies. Their mouths are covered with filth, they have a hacking cough, they are constantly swarmed by flies, they sit in their pee with no diapers, and they just sit/sleep on the cement with no one looking after them. Now, I do want to say that some of them have older brothers or sisters that take care of them. And if the babies weren’t at Smile, I don’t think they would be alive at all. Yet I think the majority of them have to fend for themselves and have a very hard life. I’ve been struggling with what I should do about it. Compassion moves you to action. Pity makes you feel sorry for them for a while before you more onto your everyday life. I want to have the same compassion that Jesus showed to us. Yet, I just don’t know what to do about it… especially when I’m only at Smile in short increments. Please pray for protection for the kids at Smile and that they would all experience the love of the Father.

sweet baby Sarah... so tiny!

Something really awesome that has been going on at Smile is that they created a boys’ soccer team. There was a group from the states that donated soccer jerseys, and the team has been playing in tournaments and doing quite well. In a lot of their spare time, they practice, and they practice with such passion, excitement, and hope. I was talking with Andrew, their soccer coach, about it, and they can get scholarships to school if they’re good at soccer. This has given a lot of the boys purpose and hope for their future, and they work all the harder to do well. If anyone has old soccer cleats or shin guards that they would like to donate, let me know! Especially shoe sizes 7, 8, 9, and 10. I can guarantee you the boys would be thrilled and that they would put them to good use.

This is Eric. Both of his parents died, and he was living on the streets before Pasor Ruth found him and invited him to Smile. He says playing soccer has changed his life, and he wants to help people by training them to play soccer.

This is Alepel. He is an awesome soccer player! Both of his parents died, and he was left to fend for himself on the streets when Andrew found him. Alepel says playing soccer has helped him to heal and forget the painful memories of the past. He wants to play professional soccer in the future!

gotta love playing soccer with the boys... in a skirt.

Abuchay knew it was my last day at Smile, and when I left to go back to the Crystal hotel, he ran up and took my hand. Thinking maybe he was going home, I asked him, “Abuchay, where are you going?” He said, “America!” I smiled and said, “Where is your home?” All he would say was “America!” I felt so bad, but I kept letting go of his hand and saying, “Abuchay, I love you, but you need to go home.” But then he would re-grab my hand and keep walking. Finally, I had to get on a boda (motorcycle), and once again I told him that I loved him but that he needed to go home. He just stood there, frozen in place until I couldn’t see him anymore. I felt like I was one more person in their life who had abandoned them. I hate that.

Alupot and Abuchay... Love these boys SO much!

This is Dennis. When I asked him what he wanted to do after his studies finished, he told me he wanted to be a preacher. Then, he plunged right into a full one hour sermon! He has so much passion for the Lord and such a heart to tell others about him. I can only imagine God is going to do great things through him!

That night, I went to the internet café. While I was there, a little boy named Isaac hung out with me. I let him listen to music on my headphones, and he played with my hair. His mom came and told me I was a “good woman” and then proceeded to ask if I would take her son with me to America and take care of him. Now, this same thing happened on Sunday. I found about five boys from Smile on the street. They hadn’t eaten all day, so I got them each a chapatti. The man making the chapattis told me he had two sons and then asked if I would take them in. I don’t know if this was done out of love for their children because they honestly cannot provide for them or if they just want to get rid of their children. After talking with Pastor Ruth, it sounds like both reasons are quite common for the parents in Tororo, especially among the Karamajong tribe. So so sad.

This is Abay... such a cutie!

And, I am officially in Rwanda after a crazy day of traveling. More Rwanda updates to come later...

God bless!