It is a lovely African night. We just finished eating a traditional African dinner of matoke, rice and beans and my African siblings are currently outside running around playing and enjoying taking pictures with my camera as they pop in and out of the house every so often pulling at my arm trying to get me to play with them. Usually I would join them as playing games with my siblings holds some of the greatest memories of my Study abroad experience. However, tonight is different. As I sit with my host father, I am fully captured by the conversation as he shares what’s on his heart. His voice is filled with much zeal and his eyes have a deeply focused passion as if his vision to build a school for orphans was already fulfilled and he was staring directly at its completed structure. And through his real and hopeful explanation, I too was able to get a picture of what he envisions.
Last year I was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad in Uganda, Africa and developed a relationship with my Ugandan family through a five month host stay. This story, from only one of the many nights and conversations we had, has stuck with me since I have been back in America. It is heavy on my heart to partner with him to build a school in his village. However, John Joseph Bumanye is now a single dad to his four young children, as his wife passed away last year in a car accident; he is also a pastor, teacher, and student himself at the University. Above all else, he is deeply committed to the Lord and connected with the people of his community in Mukono, Uganda.
“Children are the future of the nation. Orphans are also with hidden potentials that need discovering. Mothers need education as they are the ones who really have a heart for children so they need to be equipped in all aspects: health, nutrition, sanitation etc. once they are equipped they will pass the knowledge to children.”- My Ugandan host father
According to the 2010 UNICEF report, there are over 2,700,000 orphaned children in Uganda. This number is overwhelming and when seeing the large number it’s easy to identify the need: millions of children without a mom and dad who need hope and care.
Knowing that my host father has such a heart for his people, I fully believe in his vision and trust that building a school is the Lord’s plan. On our own we are small individuals but together we can make a huge difference.
That is why on March 29th, 2012 I will be attempting the impossible in my mind of running the Badger Mountain 100 mile Ultra marathon, to help make my host father’s vision a reality. My goal is to encourage people to partner with me in raising money to build this school in Mukono. Through the pledges of people like you, I am confident that we will make my Ugandan father’s dream a reality. As I run each mile for the greater purpose, each step toward the finish line will be one step closer in enabling orphans and mothers to thrive and obtain an education in Uganda.
“There are not many people who would wish to take up the responsibility of caring for the needs of orphans as many say it is costly. Are we not going to deny this world the many gifts that these orphans have? Something should be done to help them out as their parents are no longer living.”-My Ugandan host father
“Nothing is small when we all contribute.”
As my host father said that night, with every ones contribution, no matter the size of the pledge, or the length of the prayer, when they are combined it can build an entire school and in turn change the lives of hundreds of orphans. My Ugandan father has a vision and when we all help, we can make a difference.
If you are interested in contributing or even joining me on a leg of the race, visit my blog for more information at Inthelongrunforuganda.blogspot.com or you can email me with any questions at meghall.is.44.5@gmail.com.
Megan Hall
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in POWER OF HUMAN LEGS; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
-Psalm147:10-11
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