I heard her telling another young Ugandan girl that she loved Karen Kingsbury.
I have a whole collection of her books.
On September 8th, I found Jane walking across the church parking lot. I handed her 4 of Karen's books.
Now, if she were an American child, she would probably shrug it off, and maybe add a simple, "Thanks."
But not Jane.
With tears in her eyes, she dropped to her knees, and threw her arms around me. After a few seconds, she put her hands in the air. "He has answered my prayer... I just asked God for books!"
I reached down, and pulled Jane to her feet. That day, she thanked me numerous times, all for something that I had sitting on a shelf for over a year, almost untouched.
She taught me a valuable lesson.
In general, many Americans worship God for what He has given us. We are blessed. These beautiful Ugandans have little to nothing... They worship God simply for who He is.
If one day you woke up, and you had nothing, would you still love God? Think about that for a minute.
If all you owned was a couple pairs of clothes and the shoes on your feet, would you consider yourself blessed?
I have never seen a more beautiful smile than that of a child whose world has been torn apart by complete poverty.
I want to share one more memory I have of these beautiful children.
Maureen is 9 years old. She has changed my life, and taught me lessons that I will forever cling to.
I sat down next to her as she was eating her hotdog. Half eaten, she held it near my face. I shook my head, and told her she should eat it. She pointed at something else on her plate, and again, I told her that she would be hungry later, and she should eat the food for herself.
She looked at me with those big brown eyes, and said, "Have you ever eaten anything from me?" My answer was quick... No.
She pointed to a pile of crackers on her plate. "At least eat a cracker."
So now, I was curious. "Why do you want me to eat your food?"
And her answer left me in tears.
"Because I love you, and I want to give you something."
Maureen had nothing to give. All she had was the food on her plate. Yet, she was willing to give even that away.
What about you? If you had little to give, could you still love enough to offer everything you had to someone else?
Maureen gave me more than a cracker that night. She changed my perception on life.
So I challenge you... Serve God for who He is. Love with complete abandon. And be all God intended you to be.
