November 14, 2011
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Desensitized
Everyday, when we are shopping, we are harassed by vendors to buy from them. We are called by the same name, “Mzungu” (which means white person or english person). We are stared at, laughed at, and talked about. It was annoying, and still is a little bit, but it has become common and every day. So I would say we are desensitized. Wouldn’t you?
Sadly, I realized yesterday that not only are we getting desensitized to the every day mockery, but I am getting less sensitive to the needs of the schools and churches that I visit so regularly. I have unconsciously started minimizing the efforts of some schools over others. I have started “prioritizing” in my mind. I cannot believe that I have done such a thing. How dare I allow my personal, possibly evil, thoughts cloud what needs to be done at every school I visit! I have discounted the schools that have some sort of building and focused on the schools that have intention and nothing to show for it. I feel terrible! In fact, I think I have left out the updates and information about the visited schools and focused more on our lives and how we are effected. When I should be really focusing on the lives of the people here and how they NEED assistance.
For example, I regularly work with a pastor, Rev. Paul Ssemwanga. He is what I would consider our Ugandan pastor. He is also my colleague and friend. He acts as the Director of the Ugandan National Team for Worldwide Christian Schools. Passionate is not a strong enough word for his relationship with Christian Education. Not only does he act as the Pastor of a church, a Director of an international organization, he also directs the activities of a modest primary school in Luwafu, Kampala. Those are just a couple of roles he has as a minister. He actually does so much more! It is the perfect example, because I have unintentionally ignored his request to plan a dormitory on his campus. He has several orphans and dorm students. He currently has them sleeping in his church. He has a school built, partially with the aid of WWCS. He has a decent church. For some reason, my mind has discounted the need of his school. I feel pathetic. This school/church is a close-to-home example of how a Christian school can directly impact a community. How ministering to children ministers to a family.
His school, Luwafu Reformed Primary School, needs a dormitory! He needs a place that these kids can call “home.” They should not have to make a bed, a make shift mosquito net, and have to remove it the following morning. They should not be left outside while there are bible studies going on every other day until late in the evening. They should be able to rest so that they can do their very best in school to break a cycle of poverty.
The most annoying thing about this whole problem of mine… I know these children. They all know me. They do not call me Mzungu. They call me Mr. Chad. I feel like a jerk! I am sitting here in an internet cafe (because our power is off and I need to charge the PC) close to tears because I have neglected the needs of a friend and the needs of a hundred children. Pathetic!
Please pray for this school, and all of the others, that are trying to make their impact on the Kingdom of Christ. Please pray that they can serve their communities and children to the best of their God given abilities. Please pray that our impact is positive for them.
On a side note, the Christmas season is approaching. Surprise! If anyone wants to help a school, or a family in need, let us know. We have some pretty cool ideas of how to give little tokens of Christ’s love to the people we interact with. So if it is weighing on your hearts to help someone who would otherwise disregard Christmas because they are not thankful for anything, let us know. For about $10 you could give a family of 8 a very nice Christmas dinner. For about $40 you could get them a goat or 20 chickens to raise. If any of these strike your fancy, please email us. We would love (and so would the families) to have them know the reason we celebrate Christmas.
God bless you all and thank you for reading!
Chad Neeley
Construction Coordinator – WWCS Uganda/USA
