Grace

Meet Grace.  A beautiful Ugandan woman who has given her life to care for precious children at Adventure Village in Seeta, Uganda.  During our "celebration" day she gave her testimony of what God has done in her life.

Amy & Grace

At the age of 16 or 17 (not many really know their real age in Uganda) she was married off to an older man because her parents could no longer afford to take care of her.  Being educated was her only dream, and being married off so young only squandered it.  Her husband was not a man of good character and in her words she "never had a good time in the marriage."  She had five children with this man and he never supported them.  Since she is uneducated it was really hard for her to find work, so she had to find odd jobs to support her children by herself.  She worked so hard and became so thin and diseased-like because she gave all the food she could grow and buy to her children.  She heard about Christian Life Ministries and went to apply to be a "mum".  She told us that if it weren't for Jackson Senyonga answering God's call her children wouldn't have the opportunity to go to school and she wouldn't have ever been able to go to the Ridar hotel (the place where we stay while we are in country). She said, "I never thought I would go to a place like that."

By most American standards the Ridar Hotel is nothing special (personally, I think it's a really nice hotel), but it meant so much to her that she was able to go. Because of her job at the orphanage she can pay her children's school fees, and when she visits her family they tell her she is so fat (which means you are healthy) and ask her how she is living so well.

I was so touched by her testimony because it reminded me of how fortunate I am.  I get to choose if and to whom I marry.  I had the opportunity to go to school, and had loving parents and family to support me.  I never thought I took all that for granted, but at times I do.  It sort of reminded me of my mom.  She may not have been encouraged to do well in school or pursue higher education, but she always encouraged us kids, always loved us through everything.  Going to college was non-negotiable in her eyes, and like Grace did for her kids, she did all that she could to equip us for that journey.

It's women like Grace that remind me to be thankful in all circumstances.