Temporary World, Eternal God
Fittingly, Restore International and International Justice Mission both crossed my path here in Uganda over the past 24 hours. I spent Monday afternoon and evening with the Kampala Field Office Director of IJM, Jesse Rudy, and had breakfast on Tuesday morning with a Restore International team, most of whom had flown in the night before. (Bob arrives on Friday night, minutes before I lift off for home). At breakfast, I met a young lady who now works for Restore who lived with Lizz and the other Pepperdine students during that first summer in 2007.
Small world, big God.
Because Henry’s mom had traveled from Hoima with Henry’s one year-old brother on Monday evening to join Henry and his older brother Kegan, there was no room on the floor between the hospital beds for all of them to sleep on Monday night. (I, of course, had offered to pay for a hotel for them on previous nights, but they insisted they needed to be there during the night to attend Henry’s ailing father, David). Accordingly, Henry stayed with me at the conference hotel on Monday night, and set off on an 8:00 a.m. three-hour bus ride to his hometown of Hoima on Tuesday morning where he planned to stay for 24 hours before returning to Kampala to be with his father.
When I walked into the mediation conference room at 9:40 a.m. after the breakfast with Restore, Pepperdine’s Nootbaar Fellow in Uganda, Susan Vincent, was sitting at the back of the room looking at her phone. As I sat down next to her, she whispered, “have you seen this yet?” and set her phone down on the table in front of me. It was a text from Henry addressed to both Susan and me. Three simple words that took my breath away.
“Dad is dead.”
Henry had received this devastating news from his mother while he was bouncing around on a crowded bus. I stepped out into the hallway to call him, but I received no answer. My mind resumed its racing through the “what if” questions that had been ricocheting around my mind for several weeks. Once again, I received no answer. I suspect this sort of second guessing is hard-wired into many situations of medical uncertainty preceding the passing of a loved one. But it doesn’t make it any easier to fight off feelings of guilt and confusion. I am not sure those emotions will ever fully subside, however, as we are all forced to confront the inescapable truth that we are not meant to have all the answers. Not yet, anyway.
Temporary world, eternal God.
Over the course of the day, Henry and I texted much, but spoke little. Understandably, he is taking it hard. I suspect he is wrestling with same “what if” thoughts. I did my best to assist with the arrangements of claiming and transporting David’s body back to his ancestral burial place a mile from Henry’s home.
In the early afternoon, I met with the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss a variety of planned and potential points of collaboration in the near and distant future. We also had a chance to discuss at length some rather controversial legislation Uganda has recently passed. During our visit, he made a call and secured a meeting for me with a veterinarian doctor on Thursday. I am quite excited and hopeful about where that meeting might lead. More on that front on Thursday.
Following my meeting with the DPP, I had lunch with someone who is fast becoming an old friend – a Welshman living in Uganda who is pouring his heart and soul into securing families for Uganda’s orphans.
After lunch, I had a chance to watch a fair bit of the mediation training the Pepperdine team is delivering to the judges and lawyers. It is nothing short of fascinating, and the trainers are nothing short of spectacular. The participants are attentive and engaged as they strategize and envision how they can use the tools they are acquiring to serve the people of Uganda.
On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of meeting a very special young man for the first time. Shortly after lunch, I had received a text from Justice Kiryabwire – a man who has become like a brother, which said:
“Your God child made a perfect landing on this planet. Thanks for your prayers.”
Brilliant, as they often say here. Last month, Justice K had asked me to be the Godfather to his third child, who was providentially scheduled to arrive during the week I was here. After dinner, I had a chance to hold baby Mark and congratulate the family.
It feels too trite to write all about the circle of life, joyful beginnings and tearful endings, comings and goings, etc. But those are the thoughts swirling inside my head right now.
- Baby Mark Kiryabwire and his Proud Godfather
Newly arrived Mark Kiryabwire
Jim, what a blessing for you and baby Mark. As his godfather you will get to help him know the Father of us all.
Love to you, Aunt Kay and Uncle Don
An abundance of rich experiences and raw emotions presented today!
Praying Henry’s family and friends will endure, and soon come up from the depths of sorrow, you’ve been thrust into due to David’s death.
Delighting in the arrival of the Kiryabwire’s beautiful baby, Mark!
Yes = brilliant!
. . . and certainly not the least important, just last in order – struck by and appreciative of the many good hours you and others spent serving and encouraging others.
Thank you for sharing.
May every good blessing of God be yours, Jim!
I offer deep sympathy to Henry and his family, which I know includes you.How devastating. You wrote about how gravely ill David was but I thought sure that all would be righted. If I am in shock that God did not answer the prayers in the way I thought he would, I can only imagine how Henry, his mom, and his brothers feel. God is in control and keep each of us his children sheltered in the safety of his care. Praying that will feel real to all right now.
Hearty congratulations to baby Mark, his family, and his godfather. What an amazing blessing for you to be there and share in the joy of his birth. What an honor for you to be named godfather.
I remember Lizz Alvarez. I always thought of her as a modern day prophet. I didn’t remember that she was involved in the beginning of this good work.
God be with you.
Jim — What an intense time you are having this visit. Thank you for facing not only the “normal” uncertainties that would go with a visit to a foreign culture, but for facing the pain and joys that come with authentic friendships and love for the people you have grown to know there through your repeated visits. It is amazing to see how God has performed so many transformations — in your own heart, in the hearts and lives of Henry and his family and the officials you have worked with, in the families who are now at home with their adopted children. How do we ever know how God will use us? But he does! What a remarkable world. What a remarkable God.
God’s hand shows in that you were in Uganda at two very important events, David going to be with the Lord and your new Godchild arriving. We are praying for Henry’s family during this sad time and for all who grieve for their loss. God has blessed them through your presence and assistance. Glory to Him!
Jim, this is lovely!
We thank God for the opportunity to get to know you
and your family.
Great pictures of Mark. Winnie