Dear friends and family,
I know it has been less than a week since my last letter, but I write again today in the hopes that you could help me carry my heart’s newest burdens and echo my earnest prayers.
Monday marked the beginning of the Street Boy Ministry for 2009. Yet that day of joyful reunions was marred by some disheartening news; many of the boys had been removed from the streets by the police and taken to jail just a few days before. The law is that if they are found to be “idle” or “disorderly”, they are taken into custody. We were left to wonder if that is why many familiar faces were unseen that day. Even though their actions may have earned them such a fate, I think of the additional fear and danger that must accompany them there, and I can’t help but worry some. Still another burden on my heart from Monday is the number of new boys, boys not yet in their teens. What has brought these young boys to the streets? Did they run away because they stole from their family? Did their new Stepmother treat them badly? Is it simply rebellion or the hunt for adventure? I have yet to find out…
Derrick is one of these new boys. On Tuesday as I led the school portion of the day, it didn’t take long for him to make his way over to me with his completed work. As I marked his answers, not only did I realize that he was well educated, but I also noticed that his English was quite good. I said to him; “Derrick, you should not be on the streets; you should be in school. You need to think about this.” The next day he came over to show me his work after Luke had signed it with a red, “Very Good”. Again I told him that he shouldn’t be on the streets. I pray that this clever and cheerful young boy will seriously consider his decision to move to the streets before he is lured in by the “freedom” that such a life offers.
Sharif is another who is constantly in my thoughts and prayers. This young boy of ten has captured my heart with his charming grin and boisterous spirit, and especially as he reminds me so much of my oldest nephew. I was worried when he didn’t come to the shelter on Monday and Tuesday, but on Wednesday we found out why. He arrived with a story of his arrest and how a few days later he had climbed the tall outer wall of the prison, jumped and ran. He admittedly was very afraid, and he was very lucky not to have sustained any injuries from that high jump. I can’t decide which emotion is stronger: anger that a ten year old would even be in such a situation, or concern for his safety and future. But I don’t doubt that the tears that I am fighting back right now are those of concern and love for this lost little one.
Marvin has been on my heart from my first week at the shelter. He is a delightful boy, gentle with the little children that wander in and kind to the boys that others tend to ignore. He is also very smart with excellent English skills. But Marvin’s story is a bit different. I am not sure if he moved to the streets by choice, but his stay has been lengthened for lack of a place for him to go. His Mother and Father have no interest in him, and he has also been recently rejected by one of his Uncles. Jim insists that there are other relatives who can be approached to take him in, but how much rejection can a young boy take? It is hard not to take him seriously when he speaks of wanting to die; his hope seems to be fading.
Sserwa da (Joel) is one who brings my heart a lot of joy. He is always giving testimony of God’s goodness in his life or showing off by singing or dancing. What a delightful young man. But, during the teaching time this Tuesday, my concern for him grew. Last year I had noticed that he would only copy the questions from the board but not answer them; I thought he was just being lazy or stubborn. However, when I saw him doing this on Tuesday, I questioned him through another boy’s translation and found out that he is only at a P1 level. They told me that in P1 they are taught the alphabet and simple math. Taking his book I wrote “2 + 3 =”, and when I saw him start counting on his fingers to find the answer, I knew he wasn’t lying. Sserwa da is in his early teens but still does not know the alphabet! This should not be… I hope to work alongside him to help him learn these basics and improve his English.
Jakulin is a cute little thing who lives near the church that houses the Shelter. To me, she embodies the children that I would watch on those World Vision commercials with tears falling down my cheeks unchecked. Dirty and often bottomless, she will greet me with outstretched arms, her heart full of trust that I will not reject her. To be honest, sometimes the smell of her unwashed body is hard to handle, but nevertheless I lift her to my lap and hold her close. If my sin can’t keep me from knowing God’s love, how could I let a little dirt stop her from knowing it also?
The tears are still there, but I no longer carry these burdens alone. Thank you, my friends, for your faithfulness and care.
As you keep these young ones in prayer, and my future interactions with them, please could you also be praying about supporting me financially in my ministry here in Kampala? I have resisted making a direct plea for funds until now, but I would not be here if it were not for your gifts. To give you an update, I am still in need of funds for March through to June at $1350 CDN a month. In other words, if each of you who receives this letter were to give $30, the costs would be covered. That being said, please do not feel pressured to give. But if you do, let it be a gift offered cheerfully at the feet of Jesus.
His willing servant,
Erin Spring (www.actionintl.org/spring --- erinrachelspring.blogspot.com)
Mailing Address: c/o Robinette, PO Box 71249 Clock Tower, Kampala Uganda, East Africa
To support financially:
~ Cheques are to be made out to “Action International Ministries” and mailed to: 3015A
~ Donations can also be made by credit card over the phone or debited monthly from your bank account or credit card. Simply call 403.204.1421 or 1.888.443.2221 (toll-free), and they will assist you.
~ Online donations are also possible. Go to www.actionintl.org/spring for my page.
Photo Descriptions:
~ Class 1: School time. Sserwa da is in the middle in the black sleeveless shirt looking at the camera. Derrick is on the right in the light green plaid shirt.
~ Class 2: Copying the questions from the boards.
~ Snakes & Ladders: Marvin.
~ Choir: Sharif is the small one on the left who is looking at the camera.
~ With Jakulin: Me holding my smallest African friend – Jackulin.
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