A year ago today, I was jumping for joy at the top of a small mountain, or rather, a very big hill! We called it Suubi Mountain. Watoto Children's Village, Suubi, is based in the Mpigi district of Uganda. A lushious, green area, with red dust road tracks. Homes hidden by the bush at the roadside, villages hiding deep within. It is beautiful.
Suubi.
A little boy has hydrocephalus. His physical development is delayed. He started to take some independent steps in February 2010.
Still unsure, still wobbling, still learning.
5 year old Moses, gives walking a go... SCORE!
Just a few months later, this precious little boy found the strength, courage and confidence to walk up a mountain to go to church. I can not explain, what a downright privilege and honour it was, to be the one holding his hand, encouraging him to keep on taking that next step. The walk to church would normally take around 20-30 minutes, it took Moses and I a little over an hour. He only needed to stop a couple of times for some refreshing sips of water, and he couldn't wait to keep going.
His little face when we got to the top, was enough to brighten any darkness. When he saw all the people, and heard the church worship, he jumped up and down, and squealed with delight! You could see in his eyes, just how proud he was of himself. What an achievement for him! Not only did we go to church, but it gave him the chance to play with some of the village boys. Such a beautiful moment to witness.
Friends.
I was, I am, and forever more shall be so very proud of Moses and all he achieved whilst I was able to work with him. He is such an inspiration to me. That day taught me so much. It spoke to the very depths of my heart, mind and soul. Something within my inner being cried out for this moment, a moment that has been imprinted on my heart, and will be with me for the rest of my days.
I can't help but think of this scripture when I think of this day...
"I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:10-14
I don't know all the ins and outs of Moses' story, but I know that some people wrote him off. It was said he wouldn't reach certain milestones and personal achievements, they probably said, that he was nothing. Such words should never be spoken over anyone, let alone a child... I wish those people could have been there, on Suubi Mountain, looking into the eyes of that beautiful child, to see his heart, his spirit, his smile and his potential.
Looking to his future.
This blog is getting harder to write. You see, that day, my life changed. That day, I found out who I truly was. I am the one praising God, for all, yes for ALL and every aspect of my life.
For You restore the joy of Your salvation... Psalm 54:12
I've almost been home for a year now. And I almost lost sight of who I am. I have felt isolated. Lost. Hurt. Broken. Confused as to where my identity truly lies. But I am learning again. This quote sums it up somewhat...
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"
You see, we actually, don't need to be anything other then ourselves. I am me. You are you. Moses is Moses. And hey, if a 5 year old boy, who has been walking for just a few months, can walk up a mountain, then there surely are no limitations!
Love.
