A Celebration of Mutual Discipling
BY CHERYL RUTGERS
Driving along the winding, rutted dirt road through the sugar cane fields, we noticed that the children who usually waved and hollered out to our van were not present. We knew we were late for the celebration. The celebration where we would be seated in the tent for the guests of honour. The celebration that would last for the entire day. The celebration where dignitaries from the village and government education agencies would speak about the accomplishments of SACU Nursery and Primary School (SACU stands for Save African Child Uganda). The celebration that would be attended by the family members of the students-parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles-to give thanks for the opportunities that their children would have in their future. The celebration that would be attended by the people of the surrounding village, even those children who were not selected to attend the free schooling offered by our organization The celebration where a feast would be served to all who attended. And we were late. We still had to get dressed into our traditional outfits before we could be seated.
When we turned into the school driveway, we could see the transformation that had taken place overnight. Three large tents had been erected, filled with rows of chairs for the audience, decorated in the school colours-red and white. Music filled the air, and the stage was set for all the student performances: poetry readings, skits, traditional dances, all showcasing the talents of every grade of the school. Hurry! Get ready! Enter stage left!
We were introduced and then led past the crowd of about 500 already seated. By the time the lunch meal was served, we estimated that the crowd had swelled to over 1,000, with all chairs filled and rows of people lined up at the back of the tents. Every person present was fed, and the celebration continued-and still the number of people continued to grow. We were witnessing the love and support of a community for their children for their future and the future of the village itself. As the sun set the excitement grew. The final and most important part of the celebration was the graduation ceremony for the top class.” Yes, the five year old kindergarten students were the stars of the day. This day had been a celebration of things that we take for granted the chance to be educated and the health to attain the age of five. Praise and thanks were given to God throughout the celebration for the blessings bestowed upon the people of the village.
This celebration took place last November; four of us traveled to Uganda as directors of a grass-roots organization formed ten years ago to provide education, nutrition, shelter, and medical care to underprivileged children of the village and surrounding area of Buwundo, Uganda, Africa. Three of us-Rick and Kathy Vriesen and me-are members of Faith Reformed Church in Kingsville, Ontario, and Ingrid Heugh is from SACU. With the help of family, friends sponsors, and churches such as Faith Reformed, we have raised funds to purchase land and move from the original three rented classrooms to build a now almost completed school; provide a quality education for 175 children; provide two meals each day for all of the students, provide housing, nutrition, and clothing for 27 children who have been abandoned abused, or orphaned; and provide financial support to pay tuition for 22 high school students. We often refer to Matthew 25:31-47 as a guideline for what we are expected to fulfill as disciples of Christ. And we believe it is also a guideline for what we are to receive from our generous hosts. Discipleship is so often reciprocal, after all.
We came with so many material things: 20 suitcases filled with clothing, shoes, school supplies, gifts from sponsors, laptops, a sewing machine, soccer uniforms and balls, and a few of our own personal belongings. We returned with much less in our suitcases but much more in our hearts. Not only were we able to share our blessings, but we received blessings from each of these families too. They showed us how to be disciples of Christ by modeling Jesus’s welcome, generosity, and joy. So much mutual learning was accomplished in our short time in Uganda, yet there is still so much more to be done. And with the grace of God, the continued encouragement of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus in our hearts, we will return one day and learn about Jesus together once again.
Reprinted from the SPRING 2020 I DISCIPLESHIP ISSUE p. 46-47