Why Show Up? A Life Lesson from a Sister in Uganda

When I, along with four others, flew to Uganda earlier this month, I was more excited than a raccoon at an all-you-can-eat crawfish café. And in spite of the 20-hours spent on two planes, the GSM mission schools I visited were even better than I expected. 

Can you spot me and my cousin, Patty in
this "Welcome to Uganda" parade?

        The teachers, kids, and all other workers treated us like royalty all week long. But my favorite moment took place the final night I was there. Most of the 1,500 students and dozens of teachers had repeatedly thanked us for coming. 

        Finally I asked Peace, the lady who served our meals, why it was so important to them that we five Americans visited the schools. "Wouldn't it have made more sense to send you the thousands of dollars it took to travel here? Wouldn't it have gone farther?" 

       Her answer brought tears to my eyes. 

Peace and I as we said "goodbye" on
my final day in Uganda. 

       "Mama Jen," she said, "you can't put a price tag on love. The fact that you saved your money for a year and traveled across the globe to visit us in person shows that you love us. Anyone can send money. But the gift of your presence is priceless." 

Aha. The gift of your presence. That says it all. 

      Is there someone in your life who needs,  more than anything, the gift of your presence today? Fill their life with hope simply by showing up for them. 

A Secret I've Decided to Share

       It's time to share with you a secret I've kept under wraps for the last 18 months. I've not told anyone about it before this because I didn't want to come across as boastful. Now the Lord is prompting me to share with you what I've been doing. 

Perhaps you'll even want to join me!

Patty at Nabrizi School in Uganda

   When we visited my cousin, Del, and his wife Patty, in Portland, Oregon in September of 2016, Patty told us about the mission work she helps support in Uganda. Patty manages Sam's Attic, an eclectic thrift store in the Portland area, fully staffed by volunteers, to fund schools and orphanages in Uganda through Good Samaritan Ministries.  Patty has flown to Uganda and visited the schools they support many times and has fallen in love with the kids there. They call her "Mama Patty." 

Here is a wee bit from their website: "GSM Uganda empowers people through education.  We have educated over 6,000 students since our beginnings in 1990, with over 1,500 children currently in Nursery, Primary or Secondary School programs.  We continue relationships with our alumni students, many who have come back to teach at the GSM Schools.  We provide counseling and Bible training, HIV/AIDS education; senior citizens programs; Bible study; GOGO Piggery project (Get One, Give One); Community farming projects; Community Fishing projects; and Hospital Ministry.

GSM Uganda has over 300 students in orphan homes.  These homes are able to provide family to many of these students.  We provide housing, porridge and food for the students living on campus, medical, life skills training, and gospel centered community."

As I listened that September night to Patty's stories of some of the children GSM has helped, my heart swelled with compassion. "I want to partner with you," I said. On the spot, I committed to giving 15% of all my book and article sales to this worthy ministry. 

Of course you won't be surprised to learn that since I committed to helping GSM, my book & article sales have increased! 

This is not a pitch for you to buy my books, although that is part of my income. I simply want you to know that when you do buy a book (or many), 15% of what I make goes to help needy kids in Uganda. 

And that makes Jesus and me very happy.