Last month, I had the opportunity and privilege to travel with Uganda Tree of Life Ministries to the Bulabandi Children’s Village. During our two-week stay, I witnessed firsthand the resiliency of the human spirit and the very real good that can be found in people. Here were children who live with much less than what most people consider the bare essentials. Yet, each day without fail, they greeted me and the other volunteers with huge smiles and inspiring enthusiasm. The most important part of this trip was the personal time spent with these children who were hungry for love and affection. The majority of the children at Bulabandi Children’s Village were either orphaned or separated from their parents, so most of them simply wanted to hold your hand and talk with you. I believe this was the most powerful way I got to show Jesus’ love. With these children I have never seen such great pain, sickness and neediness before, but I have also never seen such great joy and faith. I was amazed by how they gave God the glory for every blessing. Through them, I discovered that, although they have nothing in terms of material wealth, they have everything in terms of a deep and close relationship with their God.
As you may know, I’m a water enthusiast. My trip to Uganda made me see water differently. Water can change lives. When we installed a solar-powered water well and water retention tank to provide clean running water to the village, it meant those smiling children were able to take a shower for the first time in their lives! With the addition of a UV water purification system, clean drinking water will always be available for the Bulabandi Children’s Village and the surrounding community.
I realize that I have learned so much more from the beautiful people of Uganda I served than they did from me. I also see much need and look forward to returning to Uganda in the near future through Uganda Tree of Life Ministries in efforts to continue an ongoing relationship with the people of Uganda and to help them with critical water needs. Uganda Tree of Life plans to return to Uganda for two more missions later this year – one in September and again in October. I highly encourage you to donate your time to this wonderful cause. For more information, visit UTOLM.org.
