However, every journey has a low moment. A point in time where you begin to question the work or wonder if you can take another step forward. For many members of the team, today was a difficult day. Nothing catastrophic happened, but after six full days...we were tired. The needs of our schools in Gulu are great. As we visit each campus the head teacher shares with us a long list of challenges and needs. Electricity, fencing, curriculum materials, classroom space, etc. What we consider basic necessities are items of luxury in Uganda. It's humbling to realize we take so much for granted in America.
Today after visiting two of our partner schools and seeing the same level of needs I thought...how are we ever going to make this right? How can we adequately serve and help these children and teachers? Are we making an impact? These questions were running through my mind as we made the turn into the driveway of our lodging and immediately all of those thoughts left my mind. Lining the driveway were 30 JOYOUS faces.
The players from New Kaabale Busega, one of our partner schools in Kampala, and our Kampala coaches were lining the driveway clapping and singing to welcome us home. Their faces were glowing. Huge smiles. Warm hugs and handshakes. It reminded me that hope is alive and progress is possible. As the champion team in the Kampala region, the team from New Kaabale traveled to Gulu to participate in the tournament. Over the last two years, our Ugandan staff and Amercian staff/team members have invested time, love, and resources into the lives of these children...and you can see the fruits of this labor of love. These young men have grown not only as soccer players. They have grown as leaders, scholars, and young men of great character. I wish you could have seen how excited they were to be in on the surprise to bring such a great blessing to us. The team piled back on the bus to head to Gulu PTC, their hosts for the tournament, and we returned the favor. We lined the driveway to clap for them as they left...and they loved it!
As I watched them drive away, it hit me. In two to three years, our children in Gulu will hopefully have the same spirit, love, and joy. Each time we invest in their dreams, hope grows. Each time we host a tournament for them, hope grows. Each time we are able to meet a challenge or need on their campus, hope grows. Today started at ground zero, but it ended in a place of joy. It was a great reminder that change takes time...but hope can blossom.
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