ekissa: "Success"...how do you measure it?

January 26, 2015

Arriving in Uganda was like taking a refreshing drink of cold water. Nine months is too long to go without the gracious smiles and welcoming embraces of our Ugandan family. The warm gentle breezes...the dry African dirt...my heart was finally at home again.

We've come with an agenda of several meetings, but the meetings have been nothing short of rich fellowship. After five years of coming and going, the local people are finally freely sharing their lives with us. They've begun to offer pieces of themselves---and what an humbling gift it has been.

Much like the pride of a mother when her child takes his first steps, my eyes have seen Bweya Community Church begin to independently walk. The steps have been slow in coming but the cautious, deliberate forward movement is obvious.

This small population has come into understanding that ekissa can not eradicate their struggles, but have realized the value of identifying local resources and maximizing potential. Instead of being hungry, they're using the land around the church to grow crops. Individuals, as well as families, are not only able to feed themselves, but are able to use their vegetables as a source of income, and pay school tuition fees.

The piggery (pig farm) that once sat empty, is filled with pigs and an additional pig pen has been erected. Like the agricultural projects, the pigs are also providing food and a source of income for families.

While poverty remains evident, the level of pride and personal satisfaction is rising. They are implementing avenues of sustainability for themselves instead of waiting on someone to "fix" their situations. Rather than waiting on change to come, they are ushering it in! Our refusal to invade their village, creating dependency, is working. After giving basic essentials, by the grace of God, they are succeeding!!

Sarah-

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison