A Taxi Ride with Purpose...

My heart did a little happy dance last week on the way home from Bible Study.  I, with five of my kiddos, was crammed into an overloaded taxi.  (And by ‘overloaded’ I mean a 14-passenger van stuffed with 20 people, a toddler, two babies, and six chickens.)  Once we had boarded, my youthful little ones wasted no time with their typical, playful banter—joking, teasing and laughing with each other.  Immediately, I saw heads turning.  There were glances…and then double-takes from the other passengers as they observed this peculiar hand-gesturing communication that was happening. 

(Side note: It is a common misconception that Deaf people and their conversations are quiet.  Though sign language in and of itself is an unspoken language, it is still very animated and expressive.  Hence, sign language is not as silent as one might imagine.  Additionally, people who are profoundly deaf are often unaware of the sounds around them as well as the sounds they are making during a conversation.  To a person unfamiliar with deafness, these noises may sound strange and sometimes alarming.)

Needless to say, my kids were having a blast and as a result, they were making a little bit of noise...okay, maybe more than a little…

After all of the glances and stares, the comments soon began to follow; they hailed from all sides of the taxi.  And I’ll admit, most of what the other passengers were saying, I either didn’t hear clearly or I just didn’t understand.  (I am doing my best to learn Luganda, but I am far from fluent.  And my own hearing loss is an additional barrier sometimes.)

Still, I was able to clearly see that people were fascinated and quite intrigued by my kids and their unique language.  The curious onlookers were very quick to admit to each other that they had no idea what was being said (signed) and that they wished they knew.  (Welcome to MY world, folks.  And welcome to the world of my Deaf children.)

But remember when I said that my heart was doing a happy dance?...

Here’s why:  There was a woman sitting in the back of the taxi with us, smack dab in the middle of our (somewhat noisy) chatter.  She had been looking this way and that for several minutes, perplexed by the little hands that moved busily around her.  I watched as she paused for a moment, then a humble smile came to her face as she boldly announced to the other passengers, “These kids may be deaf, but you see, they sure are happy!”

And there it was—God’s light shining ever so brightly in that dimly-lit taxi.

Here in Uganda, and in communities around the world, people see a deaf child and automatically discount their value and potential.  It is often believed that because a child is unable to hear, they are also unable to read, write, learn, work, etc.   But Friday night was different.    

In the back of that crowded taxi, I trust that God spoke to hearts and affirmed in them what I have known in my own heart for a while:  We are all created for a purpose.  He knows each of us better than we know ourselves.  Scripture says that, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you.  Before you were born, I set you apart...” Jeremiah 1:5.  We are His workmanship, created to do good things (Eph 2:10) and a child’s deafness cannot stop Him from being glorified.  Our God is much bigger than that.  In fact, only He has the ability to turn their pain into praises and their rejection into rejoicing.  And for sure, He and the angels rejoice each time He is able to shine His light through those precious vessels. 

I realize that most people don’t want to admit that God intentionally made a child deaf…(I find it more common that people want to ‘pray away’ their deafness.) But could it be that my children’s deafness is just part of His elaborate plan? An opportunity for Him to receive praise and glory in unsuspecting places?  Is it possible that my children can be other examples of ‘nobodies’ that God has carefully chosen to follow Him and be a reflection of Himself.  We see numerous other examples of such transformations throughout scripture: Moses, Job, Joseph, Esther… People who came from nowhere, without a resume, and without the necessary skills.  But despite that, God uses each of them in profoundly powerful ways. Perhaps my babies are among them?

I believe that thousands of years ago, God saw all of us in that taxi and knew that a group of [cute] Deaf children would be the perfect way to show His love and mercy. Nothing about that taxi ride was an accident—not even my children’s deafness.  Everything was orchestrated by God, for God.

And the part about this story that I think I love most…my kids didn’t even realize the looks, the stares, the comments…they were too busy being full of joy to even recognize what had happened that night.  I truly believe that God has filled their hearts with an undeniable joy which has primed them and prepared them to be used by Him no matter what the circumstance.

Leading praise and worship at Bible study:

I am always amazed at how much I learn from my kiddos.  Friday night was no exception. 

Which leads me to this question: Are we finding joy and contentment in the circumstances of our lives?  Or are our impure hearts getting in the way of what God wants to do through us? 

Its Gonna Be Worth It...

As a born-again Christian I know that I cannot escape the grip of of God's hand. Nor can I be hidden from his sight. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omniprisent.
Still, there are times when it doesn't quite feel that way.  There are days when full-time ministry is exhausting--physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  There are times when life in a foreign country is lonely, when nothing seems to be going right, and the presence of God seems miles away.  And there are times when it really tough and really ugly and packing up and going home sounds like a good idea...
Then, there are days when all of the tears, the pain, and hours upon hours of prayer is finally worth it.
Today was one of those days.
I was asked to teach P6 R.E. (6th grade Religious Education)  As the substitute teacher, I grabbed a hold of the teacher's guide and skimmed over the curriculum to see what was planned for the day.
The topic: Jesus fed the hungry
It was suggested that the teacher use John 2:1-11 (Jesus turned water to wine) and Matthew 14:13-21 (Jesus feeds 5,000) to teach the subject.
I began with John 2.  The students were somewhat familiar with the story, but reading and understanding the words in the Bible often proves to be difficult for them--it can be tough, even, for a native English-speaking person to understand scripture...even harder if English is your second language...that you can't hear. So, we spent some good time transforming the words on the pages into a tangible picture for them to see and better comprehend.
After interpreting the first story into Ugandan Sign Language, we moved on to the second story.  I first let them read the passage of scripture...determined that they didn't understand...and began to interpret it for them.
We started with the events leading up to the story and discussed the issue of John the Baptist being imprisoned, which later lead to his death.  Slowly, we made our way through the whole story.  And what happened from there...my goodness, my heart is still smiling!  Before I could ask them a single question, their hands were being thrust into the air.  I immediately began getting questions like, "Did John the Baptist go to heaven?" "Why didn't God save John from being killed?" "Did Jesus go to secondary school? or college?" "Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?"
I was in awe of how their young, inquisitive minds had been able to see beyond the words on a page and begin to interact with the people, places, and events withing the story.  John the Baptist was not a story character to them.  He was a real person and they were concerned for him and his eternity!
One question would lead to another, which lead to even more.  I found myself in the middle of such an amazing conversation!  At one point I was answering a question and telling my students that God knows the number of hairs on each of their heads; that God can hear (and see) everyone's prayers...all at the same time!  I could see the bewilderment in their eyes and I smiled as one of my girls sweetly replied, "Wow, God must have  realllllly big eyes!"
Their body language began to change as they became more and more captivated by the conversation.  I repeatedly had to tell them to take turns; that, unlike God, I could not see all of their questions at the same time.  But they were all so curious and eager to know more that questions overlapped and comments were being hurled at me from multiple directions.
They asked about the disciples and I was able to tell them that many of the disciples didn't have an education, but God still used them in a powerful way.  And similarly, they might be deaf, but GOd has made them that way and He has plans to use each of them in a unique way too.
The conversation eventually flowed into the miracle of creation.  We talked about how God created everything, from the smallest baby bird to the largest of elephants.  From the littlest fish in the sea, to the giant sun, moon, and stars.
"But who created God?" one of them asked...Oh, to have the heart of a child.  The innocent, unblemished perspective of God and all His glory.  What an unbelievable blessing it is, that God has called me here for such a time as this. I can't imagine NOT walking this journey with Him.
I will be the first to admit, life over here is not easy--for me, or for the people God has called me to serve.  This road all-too-often becomes messy and uncomfortable and down-right scary.  But I am learning to be thankful despite the circumstances that surround me.  I am learning to trust Him when the road I am walking isn't clearly marked.  And I am learning to wait on Him.  Because at just the right time, He gives me days like this--reassuring me of His presence and reminding me that these kids, their hearts, and their eternities are worth it.  They are worth every tear, every busted toe, every heartbreak, every sleepless night...
They are worth it to me.
And they are worth it to Him.

Your Mission Should You Choose To Accept It...

I believe that we have all been created for a purpose. Ultimately, we were made to glorify God.  The avenue in which we accomplish this goal varies for each of us.

Often, what we are doing is comfortable and “fitting” for us. But, how often do we stop to think that perhaps God might just have more for us…if only we follow his lead?  After all, he does promise to faithfully lead and care for us, right?  Paul tells us in Phil 4:19  “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ.” And we are reminded in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you.” Says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you hope and a future.”

 

I recently heard this quote: “We must let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

Well, I am letting go…because God is calling me to Uganda.  I got the MI:2 talk with God.  “Your mission, should you choose to accept it,” He said to me, “is to move to Uganda.  Seek out the lost and hurting deaf children and empower them with sign language.  Show them how much I love them and tell them about me.”

Let me back up a few months to the days when God’s story for my life began to unfold before my eyes.  I was on a mission trip with Arise Africa via Journey Church.  It was a Wednesday when our team rolled into the village of Makutu in the Iganga District.  Our team served diligently all day teaching about the miracles of Jesus and the faithful, loving character of God.  We played games with the kids, ran like crazy, cuddled babies, and my heart smiled from the flood of the kids' laughter and joy.  Among all of the fun and games, amazing stories, and chaos of hundreds of kids, one little girl repeatedly caught my eye.  She didn’t giggle and yell like the other kids. She didn’t sing during worship time and the other kids seemed to ignore her.

This sweet girl's name is Mutesa and she is deaf.

My heart broke as I pulled her aside and realized that she had never been taught language.  She had never been enrolled in school.  I peered into her eyes and could see her longing for acceptance, longing to be loved, longing to understand her place in this world.

We walked hand-in-hand until we found a quiet doorstep and sat down.  A crowd of children gathered around as I introduced Mutesa to sign language for the first time.  What a blessing it was to watch the sadness and desperation in her eyes turn to hope and excitement.  My heart leaped when she proudly marched to a pastor, tugged on his shirt, looked up at him and used her newly acquired signs to tell him that he was a boy!  Such a simple concept that we take for granted but proof of a brand new world opening for Mutesa.

When it was time to load the van and leave, I would be lying if I said I was okay.  To be honest, for a moment (or two…or three…) I just wanted to scoop her up in my arms, take her with me, and hold her forever. After all, how could she go one

more day without language? Without genuine love? Without knowing the name of Jesus?!

Then God shook me back to reality—I could not take her with me. So I trust that God is protecting her, leading her, and teaching her about himself in ways that I never could, even with sign language.

Meanwhile, in the days and months to follow God and I spent a lot of time together. I was asking a lot of questions while He was silently preparing my heart.  Then the time came when my questions were answered and God said to go. He has an awesome road ahead of me--nothing that I could have ever dreamed or imagined on my own, but I also could not imagine turning my back to a front row seat to witness countless deaf children learning sign language and experiencing Jesus’ love as they become followers of Him!

This is not Mission: Difficult.  It is Mission: Impossible.  I cannot do this of my own strength.  Jesus says, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26  I trust that God will be with me every step of the way, revealing himself and drawing hearts into His redemptive relationship every moment of every day. 

What a blessing it is to be a child of God and to serve the Lord.