part 3 of 3
While in Uganda for three months, just prior to coming back to Sudan, I spent a lot of time with young men and peers. Once a week I had guys, ranging in age 15 – 30 years old, over to my house. All five or ten or fifteen of us would spend most of the day on Saturdays cooking, laughing, joking, and telling stories. Then we would share in a meal that evening and often watch a video afterwards. Several of the guys would sleep at my house, and we would attend church together on Sundays. I loved these days and moments in Uganda, spending time with friends.
These young guys often encouraged me much more than I think I encouraged them. As they spoke of their joys and sufferings, it was obvious that my upbringing and life circumstances were very much different than theirs. I have never known a life of poverty, death, and cycles of continuing generational despair. I did not choose to be born in America, and they did not choose to be born in Uganda into such situations.
Yet we share the same God.
One friend, Jackson, a man in Uganda I befriended many years ago, walked over three hours one-way to visit me! He had moved away from Bundibugyo to a town many miles away, but when he heard I was back in town he said, “I must come.” And so he did. He was such an encouragement to me!
Jackson is another young man in his mid-twenties, married with small a child, whom provides shelter, food, and care for many of his relatives. He has known sufferings beyond what I can comprehend, yet he remains joyful and optimistic.
Jackson told me, “Scott, you have a very unusual heart.” I did not understand what he meant, so I asked him to explain. He said, “Your heart is so big. I’m not sure why you are so nice to me, but I love you so much. God created you very differently and the way you love me, and so many others, is really amazing. Most people are not like you. When God created your heart, he made it very special.”
Interactions with Jackson, and countless other youth and young men, have only confirmed my belief that mentoring and discipleship is crucial. Relationships often take time to develop, sometimes years or even decades. But they are worth the investment. Most people I know have dreams or desires for a better future. Unfortunately, many people I know do not have people that intentionally invest in them, challenging and encouraging them in whom they are and whom God created them to be – trying to point them to the love of Jesus.
I’ve shared with Alex B., Billi, Jackson, and numerous others that my biggest desire is to share eternity with them in Heaven. I desire for them to experience joy here on Earth, but more so I long for them to give their lives over to share eternal joy with God in Heaven.
As I think about Easter, I am again reminded of the remarkable gift that God has given us. He loves us so much, and desires to be with us, that he willingly sacrificed his only son to die for us, for me. I love these young men that God has put in my life, but my love for them is only a miniscule fraction of the love that God has for them. Please join me in praying for these young men, and countless others around the world, that they would know Jesus. And not only know him, but willingly give of themselves to love him and be loved by him.
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