Faith Like A Child

We have enjoyed a weekend full of time at all of the Sozo Houses. The weekends are our time to really focus on education with our kids, other than just doing their nightly homework. Many of them started school late or did their first years at a village school, so many of them are behind where they need to be in their classes. One of the things that Rebecca and I knew would focus on this summer was tutoring with our Sozo kids. We spent this week doing some assessments and getting to know their individual needs. Rebecca has been focusing on Reading and I have been focusing on Math, just for the simplicity of knowing that we are hitting both areas with each child.

Saturday morning we spent time at House 1 with the younger ones (baby class through Primary 2) because they do not have school in the mornings like the older ones. When Mato returned from the market with the food for the week, we hopped on the van and they dropped us off at House 3. The older boys trickled in from school throughout the afternoon. We were able to work with one who knows very little English, is 16 years old, and in Primary 4. After spending a couple hours with him, attempting some upper level math (that I finally had to admit that I couldn’t help with…) we were coaxed into playing basketball and then volleyball. Let’s just say that volleyball is not Rebecca’s cup of tea… The one that we were helping with English said, “Auntie, you will improve” and “Do not fear” as she screamed and ducked every time the ball came her way. We are left today with bruised forearms and fun memories as evidence of our long afternoon on the court.

Today we had church at the Sozo Houses as Watoto Church was having a big celebration for their anniversary and they were not holding services at the location that we normally attend. 

After church we went with the team to lunch and then to House 2. We were able to get in some good education activities with the kids there and enjoy devotion and dinner with them. One of the older girls fried a turkey egg for us to sample after I told her I had never eaten one.

I love how I was able to really connect with kids at all of the houses this weekend, each in a different and unique way. Many of the nightly devotions since we arrived have focused on how God created each person differently, that He made us “very good,” and that we should use our unique gifts to bring Him glory. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10) I love that every home has a different feel to it, and that the unique gifts and talents of the aunties, uncles, and children that live there.

One of the highlights of my time serving with Sozo this summer is with We have been doing a lot of reading with the young ones from House 1 since we are there most afternoons when they get home from school. Victoria (aka Victo, Vicky-to, Victor, or any other variation you can come up with…) is one of the kids that we knew would need a lot of attention this summer. Rebecca and I have both been very intentional about reading “beginning reader” books with her over and over to build her confidence. She even “keeps” a book for a day to practice reading to others around the house. Victoria also happens to be one of the girls that I pray with at bedtime every night that I am at House 1. Every night she has been asking me to pray that she will learn at school. On Friday, that transitioned to praying for her to “do well with reading.” Saturday night, she said, “Pray that God will help me keep learning to read. And he will help me love to read. And he will help me read so I can read [the Bible] and learn about God. And that I love him more.”

That, my friends, is what it is all about. These children have taught me so much about how to have faith and hope in Jesus Christ, how to seek Him with my whole heart, and how to live life with joy and peace despite the circumstances around me. So many times this week I have been reminded of Luke 18:16, “But Jesus called them to him, saying ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’”