This afternoon we went to another Compassion project solely for the purpose of playing with the kids. Since I usually do not excel at activities where there are 1) lots of strangers and 2) the possibility of participation in any sort of athletic activity, I was more than a little hesitant when we stepped off of the bus.
There were about eight girls playing a game I’ve come to refer to as Throw The Soccer Ball And Run, and Heather immediately joined in. Anne and I followed her lead, and for about 45 minutes, we all played Throw The Soccer Ball And Run with great abandon. We had a blast.
Look! I’m participating in a physical activity! On concrete! Without breaking any of my bones!
Jesus is alive and still in the business of miracles, my friends.
There were probably 50 kids at the project this afternoon, and their joy was absolutely contagious. Truth be told, they did my hurting heart a world of good.
The poverty here in Uganda is so profound that it’s almost impossible to process rationally, and this morning there was one point in particular when I thought the only proper response to what I’d seen was to get back on our bus and bawl my eyes out. It all seemed indescribably hopeless – more desolation than any person or community or state or country could possibly overcome.
But the good news is that there is a very practical way to help, and I saw that help firsthand this afternoon. Thanks to the work that Compassion is doing throughout the world, the kids we saw today – and so many others – can be released from poverty. You can help to release a child from poverty in Uganda or any other country you choose – just click on the picture of the little boy in my sidebar or go here to find out how.
And you know what else?
These kids? They rock.
I’m forever grateful for the privilege of meeting them. They don’t know it, but they changed my life today.
So here’s to hoping – and praying – that we can change their lives, too.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Soph, I love you, and I know those kids do, too!!! I’m so glad to hear from you and actually see you. Glad all is well. Keep up the good work…
February 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I can only imagine…
LOVE seeing all of the pictures!
xo,
J
February 13th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Thank you, thank you for doing this! My girls are praying over which child we should sponser. I had never even heard of the Compassion program before you. You’re changing lives Sophie!!
February 13th, 2008 at 8:16 am
HALLELUJAH! I’m excited Sophie! I’m excited about lives being changed already and then in the future. I’m praying for my new girl that we are sponsoring now….sweet little Sophia out there….this momma loves you and prays daily for you!
You go girl. Their eyes and smiles speak volumes.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Look at you and those kids!! What an amazing site to see this morning. You are still being lifted up in my prayers.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Glad the Lord is looking after you and kept you safe during the dangerous persuit of physical activity :)
I believe your trip will change your life and the lives of many children, and many of us reading it online too.
Hugs and blessings.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Sophie, you’re an inspiration. I’ve been waiting all morning for your update. We’re deciding from where to sponsor a child. Stay strong. What you and the group is doing is so important. God Bless you all.
On a side note – your purse is too cute and yet practical with it’s long wide strap. :)
February 13th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Sophie, you are so pretty.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I wondered how this whole blogging from Uganda thing would work, but I have to say, it’s far better than I anticipated. I appreciate your candor and thorough consideration. I respect your honesty.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Oh my heart just skips a beat as I read this with you! I went to Kenya a few years ago and had the same effects on my life!! You’ll NEVER be the same because of them……their little faces make my heart melt!! God’s using you Sophie!! He truly is!! Praise Him!!
February 13th, 2008 at 8:46 am
These pictures are incredible. Thank you for blessing me with them. May God bless you with safe travels.
Nikki
February 13th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Aw Sophie, you are just plain beautiful inside and out. I’d bawl with you, and then I’d do exactly what you are doing–tell everyone the way to help. You ROCK!
Continuing to pray for you and the group, but especially for those precious and beautiful children.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I’m so enjoying keeping up with you while you are on this life-changing journey! Thank you for including me! You are in my prayers!
To borrrow an old phrase from my 10 yr. old who thinks it’s new:
LYLAS,
Cheryl
February 13th, 2008 at 9:15 am
This is a blessing to your readers. Thanks for sharing.
Take care and safe travels.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Those children are beautiful! They make me want to break out in “Jesus loves the little children……………”
February 13th, 2008 at 9:23 am
And to think I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I’m ashamed.
Bless you, Sophie.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I remember leaving you a note after I saw you were going to Uganda that said how your life would forever be changed. My trip to Nicaragua was a eye-opener and a heart expansion for me! Soak in all you can and let us hear from your heart! I am praying for you, Sophie!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Oh the beauty of these sweet people! We all should be used by God to bring about His change in this world. And I’d totally be bawling with you…
February 13th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I’ll never forget that little girl in the red dress.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Sophie, you are doing an amazing job. An amazing job.
Praying for your safety, your health, and your journey.
February 13th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Sophie, you have been on my heart and in my prayers since I discovered your website…yesterday!!!! via Travis C.’s blog! I have not been hiding under a rock, I’m just new to the blogging world! As one Southern belle siesta to another, bless your heart for letting God work through you. What an awesome experience to love on these babies as you exemplify the body of Christ. Oh, girl, I wish that I could be there too! Enjoy this wonderful opportunity. Looking forward to your next blog!
Blessings,
Susan
February 13th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I love seeing these kids! This morning I read one of the other blogs and was moved to sponsor one of the kids, but when I went to the site I was overwhelmed with how do you pick out a child when right now we could only sponsor one. I couldn’t do it at that moment, but tonight when I’m home from work and can talk to my girls and let them see some of the pictures we are going to sponsor one.
Thank you for all the posts on everyones blogs and making my heart very tendered to the need out there.
Jen
February 13th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hey Boo,
Wishing you would run into My adopted parents who are also there ministering. They are on a compound out in the thickets in villages so you may not. I am praying for your team, and that you will help many while there.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Thanks Sophie…beautiful, beautiful children.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
I absolutely love the picture of the girl in the red dress.
And I’m so captivated by all the bloggers on this trip. You are spilling over with great work — each in your own individual voices. I pray for you constantly — even in the middle of the night as I’m nursing the baby. (Maybe especially then.)
February 13th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I am praying for you every day. And for your family back home. If you meet a little girl named Namasinga Nasande give her a hug from her family in Oregon!
February 13th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Oh Thank you for showing the difference Compassion makes – my heart is breaking over the ocean of pain and poverty but you showed the life raft that Compassion offers. I didn’t think I could quit crying while reading the entire 16 bloggers’ entries – but you gave me back my heart. Thank you Sophie – my eyes hurt. BUT – please please please people who aren’t sponsoring yet – it is SOOOO little to do to change the entire universe of one precious soul.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Awesome, awesome, awesome. Last night I was looking for something in the attic and I randomly found a picture of my husband from when he went to Uganga at age 18. It was just fun timing to see that and know you are there right now. I hope you get some good sleep tonight and wake up with tons of energy and hope for your next full day.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Incredible journey. You are truly opening eyes and hearts.
Lots of love and good wishes being sent your way for strength (physical and emotional :)
February 13th, 2008 at 10:55 am
I LOVE the last picture of the little boy skipping down the road. One thing I have always heard from people that go on trips like these is that poverty does not steal joy — rather that these people in their poverty often have a level of joy that seems to be unattainable for most Americans.
Why is that? you might ask yourself. Who receives the greater blessing — those who have material wealth (and the burdens that come with it) or those who are burdened by the simplest of necessities: finding food, clothing and shelter? The latter group seems to have less trouble praising God and finding joy in life. Why?
Thank you, Sophie, for the images and the ocmmentary. You’re changing so many lives beyond your own.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Wow! What an incredible experience.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am
What an amazing story! I have read all of your “Africa” posts, and I just welled up with emotion, not even able to comprehend the things that you have seen. The photographs are beautiful and touching, and at the same time so very sad and full of despair. I’m so glad that there are people like you who are doing something to help the children in impoverished countries like Uganda. We are blessed that God has given us enough increase that we are able to support Children’s Hunger Fund. The stories are so overwhelming sometimes, but if everyone were to get involved, it would truly make a world of difference.
God bless you!!!
February 13th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Beautiful.
Well done, Sister.
xo
February 13th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Thank you for blessing these children (and us!) with your gifts of words and photography and compassion.
My daughter and I spent a long time looking through pictures of little ones yesterday. We sponsor a little girl with World Help and are praying about which one God wants us to help through Compassion. Soooooo exciting!
February 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Thank you for this message of need AND hope!
February 13th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Praise God Sophie!! I am so glad you guys are there. I am sure it is so much more humbling for you and that God is going to work yet another miracle in your sweet heart!
February 13th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Thank you so much for this. Thank you for your willingness to go. I have been truly blessed already. Keep it up.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I’m so proud of you, Sosobee! Thank you so much for doing this. I can’t imagine how tough/amazing/heartbreaking/wonderful it is to witness everything firsthand. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I can’t help but think “He has brought you there for such a time as this”….your obedience and soft heart will help to “set the captives free”! You inspire me.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
We adopted a Ugandan child this morning. A little girl names Esther. K picked her because of the blue beads i her hair in the picture. Then she asked if we could send her some real bows with our money. :-)
February 13th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I am really enjoying following you on your journey. Your words and photos are beyond moving. Thank you for sharing.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hey Boo…
God bless your sweet, tender heart. The pictures are beautiful. The children beautiful. I am so grateful you are sharing your journey with us. You already are changing their lives one smile at a time – and by the way – getting the word out is so important. I remember last spring when we selected our compassion child it was so hard, but we settled on an older girl since there were a lot of them and the younger cherubs were going quick. Her picture is in a frame on my shelf in the office cubby where I can see her regularly. She is so beautiful, my compassion child.
Blessings.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
these children are so beautiful and bright…thank you for sharing. Give each one a hug from little old me in Idaho!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
The Lord is certainly going to use this trip in many ways. I love that He will use our obedience to affect the lives of others. He is so awesome! Thanks for being obedient to His call.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Incredible!!!
Keep up the awesome work, we’re praying for you back here at home!
Sue
February 13th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
These pictures are absolutely gorgeous and heart-wrenching! I cannot wait to sponsor a child! I love seeing through your eyes and hearing through your words!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Beautiful, just beautiful! All of it–your words, those faces (including yours!), and the impact y’all are having on these precious ones just by loving on them. Praying for you all!
February 13th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
You are touching my heart.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Could those children BE any more beautiful???? I think not. Blessings to you on this journey.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
… Where does YOUR help come from? YOUR help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber;Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going – Both now and forevermore.
Just had to finish it, because it was very appropriate. Yes, your heart is hurting … but it is carrying a very strong global message through your words.
Still praying for you.