john

john is a 12 year old boy who lives at the Raising Up Hope Safe House. the first thing you notice when you observe john, is his enthusiasm and cheerfulness. he is bright, and loving, he is energetic and caring, he has an infectious smile, and he is one of the uncounted, ignored and vulnerable street children of kampala. i love john....i love him with all my heart.
the first time i met john, he was a bit aloof...not knowing whether to trust me, not knowing whether i wanted to befriend him for a selfish purpose. i think now he understands...and though he may not love me, i can tell from his huge hugs and hand holding moments, that he likes me and that is absolutely perfect, i could not ask for more.

john comes form the city of fort portal. he was taken from school and forced to work in the family garden all day, often without food. his father beat him. one day he decided that he had endured all he could and he left with his friend for kampala, he thought life would be better there....that he would eat rice provided by his friend. but, of course it wasn't.....no food, no shelter, only the clothes he was wearing and no money, but at least he wasn't being beaten by his father and the police had not found him and taken him to kampiringisa, the infamous children's prison. patrick found john and brought him to the Safe House, and now John is happy. He says he misses his parents and 5 siblings, that he would like to visit them sometime, but he will never live with them again. the Safe House provides a home and a loving family. He is eager to learn and enjoys school....he says that one day he wants to be a pilot.
it's hard for me to imagine that anyone could mistreat this child....that no one has come looking for him and probably no one ever will. it is even more inconceivable that more isn't being done to rescue these CHILDREN from the harsh, horrible life on the street. some are sleeping in condemned buildings, some are sleeping under bushes, all are pencil thin and dirty and wearing everything they own, starving, and in need of medical attention. they will all tell you the same thing...they left home to find something better. if this life is better, i can't imagine how awful life was before.
The Safe House is home to 35 street children. some live there around the clock...sleeping, eating studying there while some go back to the streets during the day to try to earn money. the choice is theirs. the Safe House is small...3 little bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen and bath. there aren't enough beds for everyone, not even enough mattresses for everyone, but no one seems to complain. there is no other furniture..no chairs, no tables, no desks.....but what is there, is love and a sense of family and a sense of safety. the children appreciate everything you give them whether it's a slice of bread or a t-shirt or a hug. they freely and fully worship God and give praise for their blessings. i am auntie kathy to some, jajja (grandparent) to others. andrew is uncle andrew.
i wish with all my heart that these kids had a cleaner, bigger, more comfortable place to live. i guess more than that, i wish their parents hadn't thrown them away because they didn't want the responsibility of raising another child. but i know that our dear Lord has a purpose and a reason for bringing these beautiful children through these trials. i know He has a plan for them that is perfectly perfect. I know that when He looks at them He sees their souls and not their dirty faces and ragged clothes. come to uganda and meet these children...sit in a corner on the floor and tell them how special and unique they are. tell them how proud you are of them and that you love them. they really do need you...and let me tell you this, you really do need them. your lives will be richer, fuller and more complete when you bring a street child into your heart. as for me....they make me laugh, they make me cry, they bring me joy, and they bring me pain. but i am forever changed. thank you Jesus.
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