(click on pics to see better resolution)
Lydia is 16. She loves to sing praises to God. As we walk down the street she hums or sings under her breath. While she helps us work she sings bits and pieces of worship songs. At VBS she helped me lead the children in the song rotation. Even during my first trip to Buloba she sang. She lead the other children in songs. Slightly hesitant and looking unsure because they had never seen white people before, they sang.
During the team’s visit in October she explained how the people working beside the trail to the well were simply trying to survive. They made bricks in the equatorial sun to try to make a living. She laughed with us as we struggled uphill with jerry cans full of water. She sang and laughed with us as we proved to her that Muzungus (white people) really don’t have African rhythm. 
Then I asked her about the rest of her story last week. I asked her about the rest of her family. The family members I had not met yet. Her father? He left to go to Kampala to find work. He only returns on holidays- mostly just at Christmas. He doesn’t write, he doesn’t send money, he doesn’t bring money when he comes at Christmas. He is living for himself. She doesn’t say this with bitterness, just matter of factness, because she knows there is not really anything she can do about it. It is just the way it is for her.
Lydia goes to school. She loves school. Last year she skipped a few days to spend time with us when we came to Buloba. This year she said she had to go to school and would not be able to say goodbye to us. She was sad that she couldn’t be there the last time we came but she knew that school was more important. I agreed with her.
I later found out that her “sister” (aunt) Esther has quite a story. I won’t tell the story here because I have it on video and am working on getting it tidyed up for viewing. But let me say this family amazes me. They have gone through so much- yet they praise the Lord, lead others in the church, and speak of His goodness and provision.
Lydia asked me to call her or to email her. She said she doesn’t get email very much because she had to save money to travel the 45 minutes into Kampala to go where she could check her email which she had to pay for. I told her that I did not want her to pay all that money to check her email from me- she said she loves us that much. I told her I would send a letter instead and to save her money for something she needed.
Lydia is such a beautiful sister in Christ. I cannot relate to you how much she loves Jesus. Her faith is amazing. Her servant heart is amazing. And her songs to the Lord are sweet not only unto the Lord but to those around who hear them.
Lydia is one of the beautiful believers who live in Buloba. Pray for her, her family and those in the Buloba Community Church. And pray for God’s love and light to shine through them to their whole community.
Leave a Reply