As I drove home from church this week, my mind had drifted about 9,000 miles southeast, to a tiny house filled to the brim with love. Some of the most precious people I've ever met live in this house. People I had the privilege of knowing, loving, teaching, and serving over this past year. They have become apart of my family.
I’ve spent ten months serving as a volunteer English and writing teacher at the Center of Hope. Over the course of time, trust was built with my students. These relationships were built inside and outside of the classroom through center fellowship gatherings, sports events, weekly bible study and frequent home visits. This time spent together allowed friendship, trust and love to develop with my students. They became my family.
One day, during a game of volleyball, Sandy ( one of my English students) collapsed in immense pain. As she laid there crying, I held her hand and did my best tcommunicate with the others to try and figure out what was going on. I gathered from her family members that this was common occurrence and she'd be fine in a few minutes. A few of them shrugged it off, but a few looked very concerned. The game quickly ended and I took her immediately to the local clinic (after receiving permission from her mother). While doctors visits are very expensive in the US, a doctor visit in Uganda for an East African refugee family of 20 is next to impossible as all available money goes towards food, clean water and paying for rent.
Sandy and I spent 4 hours at the clinic that day while the doctors ran a series of tests to try to figure out what was wrong. Throughout this time, I held Sandy’s hand, wiped her tears, and prayed for her. Through the donation of friends, we were able to pay for the doctors visit and medicine for Sandy. I found out later that Sandy had suffered for several months and that her condition could have developed into something life threatening. Today, Sandy is healthy and pain free. Sandy is a dedicated student and a vibrant and integral part of our Center’s community. She holds a very special place in my heart. My life has been forever changed through meeting Sandy so many of my other students. We have become forever apart of one another’s lives.
Although difficulty will surely come again, as life as a refugee is full of uncertainty and hardship, Sandy walks through life with a community and extended family of friends, near and far. Through the ministry of the Center of Hope, Sandy and I, along with hundreds of others now have a deeper understanding of what love means. A love that transforms and empowers. A love that walks hand in hand through the difficulties and struggles of life. And through God, a love that transforms and endures.
This Valentine's Day would you consider making a $14 donation to Refuge and Hope International on behalf of your Valentine or someone that you love? Any donation makes ministries at the Center of Hope possible.
Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation…
Posted by: Christina
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