God's Fingerprints

This post has been in progress for some time now. I discovered that I didn't have many pictures of the friends I hang out with the most. This edition of God's Fingerprints focuses on the teenagers that live around me and fill my life with so much joy! Many of these teenagers and young adults are cousins, but their personal stories and current situations are very unique. 

                      

Iliu Glades is my best friend in the village. She lives right down the path from me and we often spend the afternoon talking. She and I started doing children's ministry at the same. Glades recently moved to a nearby village to work in a salon. 

My friend Katie (far left) moved to our village for school. She lived with Glades' family for a couple years. She got married a year ago and we participated in her traditional marriage. She is now very pregnant and is due any time! 

Apeso Mary (on my right) has been my close friend for many years. We spend many days laughing, talking, and listening to music. Her laugh is contagious. She currently goes to Light Academy - a Christian school assisted by Set Free Ministries in Rakai, a town in Southern Uganda along the Tanzania border. 

(From left to right) Mary, Rhoda, Me, Iliu Frida, Aguti Faith. The two girls on my right are two of Mary's older sisters. All the girls in their family go to boarding school. We enjoy spending time with them because they have some "outside" - at least outside the village - experience. We love to watch movies, listen to music, talk, and go to town for outings. 

Their oldest sister, Akol Priscilla, is full of personality. She will always make you laugh. Akol loves to take pictures and sing. She is in her final year of university (unless she goes for a master's degree). Her fearless personality nominated her to be the girls' youth leader.

(From left to right) Me, Akello Ruth, Barbara, Among Naomi, Katie, Glades, Lydia. 

Barbara's father passed away a few years ago from a mysterious and painful disease. He had been sick for several years and no doctor had a diagnosis nor a treatment. Barbara's father recieved Christ at a point where many people thought he would die. However, he lived a few more years before he passed. His wife had seven children, the youngest still a baby when he went to be with Jesus. Barbara and her brother got scholarships to go to Light Academy. 

Acili Sarah (on my left) is usually very quiet and shies away from attention. However, when she is with people she is comfortable around, Sarah is funny and energetic. Naomi is full of personality and exspression. She loves to make jokes and spend time with her dad.

Agumo Loyce got married to her husband, Emmanuel, a year ago. Since then, Loyce has fought malaria several times and was in a motorcycle accident. She has experienced two miscarriages. This new couple has remained faithful to one another and selflessly care for each other. Please join us in prayer for protection over Loyce and that they will be blessed with a child. 

Pius is a teacher at the Christian school just down the path from our house. Pius has an impressive relationship with his students and you will often find them walking together to the trading center or sitting together at church.

(From left to right) Epilu Elijah, Lydia, Esiku Tom, Me, Arika Samson, Aaron. 

Elijah and I teach children's church together. He is the happiest person you will ever meet and always has a big smile on his face!  

Tom and Samson are my Ugandan brothers. Tom's mother died when he was very young. His dad remarried but did not treat his children very well. Recently Tom's dad started coming to church and his whole family has noticed a change. Tom is currently a student at Bible College. Samson has faced many challenges academically. These struggles caused him to stumble in his faith. After a couple years of wandering, Samson has confessed and is now growing in his faith. Samson is very musically talented. He leads choirs and praise in church every week. He and Tom are cousins and do everything together. 

(From left to right) Akio Maliamu, Me, Aggie, Rebecca. Akio and Rebecca are two of Tom's sisters. Rebecca is married and has two young children. Akio has begun secondary school. She loves to spend time with friends and is very hard working. Aggie is Rebecca's sister-in-law and was Akio's classmate in Primary 7 (about sixth grade). Aggie is very gentle and makes you feel loved. She is filled with joy.

Whinnie came to our live with relatives a couple miles from our house. Her dad was abusive and involved in witchcraft. Last year, Whinnie's mother died. They believe her husband visited the witchdoctor who cursed Whinnie's mother. Her death was a form of human-sacrifice. We were told Whinnie's father was promised riches if his wife or daughter died. The funeral was tense; so many people wanted to kill the father that the imediate family had police present to keep the peace. 

This story is hard to read and difficult to process. How can such evil things happen to God's people? Whinnie frequently struggled with feeling loved and safe. The past two years, Whinnie has grown incredibly in her relationship with Jesus. She is grasping her identity in Christ and is relating to God as her father. She is also enrolled at Light Academy which provided a safe place for her to develope her faith and build friendships. Whinnie values relationships and quality time. She is very soft spoken but loves to laugh. She has the kindest heart and gives love to those who are forgotten or ignored. Whinnie is a blessing to have around. 

Iceda Judith (far left) always makes me laugh. Her exciting personality somehow fits into her little body. Judith is always giggling as we walk down the path or sitting together. Her fashion sense is very unique for the village. She gets many compliments on her shoes, skirts, and hair. She gives great hugs! Her sister-in-law recently had a baby boy. Judith carries little Ethan everywhere! 

When Judith is comfortable, her sassy side comes out! 

This is just a snapshot of the young adults I interact with on a weekly basis. Each one of these inidivduals has a special place in my heart! They are my community and my friends. I love walking with them in their faith journey and encouraging them. I love hearing their stories and I am so blessed they are a part of mine!