LIFE: joy in the midst of sorrow

As I knelt down in the dark room, they slowly pulled off a blanket to reveal his small, lifeless body. He was dead. He had drunk paraffin the day before and there was nothing that the doctors could do. He was 16 months old. I sat with my friend as she called out, "Why? Why?" I sat there and thought the same thing silently. I cried because my dear friend was hurting, and the thought that I'd never see her sweet boy with his beautiful smile again hurt me as well.

In the midst of it, I couldn't help but realize how blessed I was. I was allowed to mourn with my friend. I was allowed to see the brevity of life and how quickly it can pass away. It's in these moments when I've known the Lord. I've been known by Him. I've been held by Him. And He's still good.

My first week back has been amazing. The reality of life hit when I got the phone call to come quickly on Friday morning, but friends, God is good. Being in Masese again, even though it has been a rough couple of days, has been so good. Today was the burial and it is cultural for the family and friends of the family who lost a loved one to spend three to four days at the family's house, eating, sleeping, and mourning together. I was blessed to be a part of that today.

I sat next to my friend as they handed out the posho and beans and she asked me to pray before we ate. Jokingly, I asked if she preferred English or Karamojong, and she laughed as she told me to pray in her language. Recalling all I knew, I said, "Akuji Papa, alakara, amina". (Disclaimer: I don't know how to spell in Karamojong) which translates to, "Dear Father, thank you, amen." The girls laughed and laughed at the little that I could remember! One of them asked, "Katie, what are you thanking God for in this time?" As I looked around at so many dear friends seated in the dirt with me, I said, "This. I'm thanking Him for this." Community. I was soaking it in.

We ate, they tried to teach me how to deny a proposal in Karamojong, and the children came and we fell in a heap on the ground in a tickle fight. There was laughter, hope, l i f e. My friend spoke of seeing her son in heaven one day, and how she's happy that my jjaja (grandmother) is there to play with him until we get there. My friend became a believer back in January. Oh, the hope we find in Christ Jesus!

The amazing thing about life is that the sorrows and pains that we experience make the laughter and smiles all the more sweet. Life is so beautiful when you are able to allow the times of sorrow to lead you to Jesus and find joy in Him.

I watched The Giver for the first time last night and was struck with an underlying message of joy through sorrow. Jonas didn't know what love or joy was until he experienced the pain. In the book it reads, "They have never known pain, he thought. The realization made him feel desperately lonely." Our Savior has known pain. He has experienced it to the fullest. And now He is the source of our joy that is found even in the midst of that pain. 

Ways that you can be praying:

• My friends in Masese and myself as we grieve and grow together through this hard time
• School that starts up on Monday! M-F 9am-12. 
• Wisdom in knowing where God is leading in Masese

Thank you so, so much. This summer was amazing as I got to see so many of you. I'm honestly thankful for each one of you who has has taken the time to be a part of this ministry as well. I am honored to have each of you in my life. 

Kate