A warning before reading: Words can’t really express what I felt in my heart this week, but I will do my best to try and convey it.
We all knew the day was going to come when I found the child I wanted to bring back home with me. What I didn’t know was how much little 7 year old Allan Ssembatya would affect me. I heard Allan’s story while we were in the car on the way to Kyampisi. I seriously could not believe what Pastor Peter was telling me and my heart was aching with emotions. When Allan was 6 years old he was walking home from school and was attacked by a group of men as an attempted child sacrifice. Allan was left for dead after an axe was put through his skull, he was castrated, and a machette went through his throat. By the grace of God Allan did not die from these terrible injuries and today Allan is a charismatic and energetic boy that is a HUGE testimate to God’s love!
The moment I arrived at the Jesus House in Kyampisi and met Allan I knew part of my heart was going to be left there. I spent all week hanging out with this little guy and he never ceased to amaze me. He loves all of the same things any 7 year old enjoys, and even though he is now partially paralyzed on the left side of his body, he can kick a soccer ball with the best of them! He also loves listening to music, (his favorite artist on my ipod was George Strait oddly enough:) he has the appetite of an 18 year old boy, and he sings and plays the drums constantly! This little boy has been through so much in his life, but you would never know it from his joyful nature and funny personality! An example: Once during the week at dinner Pastor Peter asked Allan if he had eaten yet and Allan replied back with “Pastor, have you seen the size of my stomach!?”. Allan is only one of many children that Peter and Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) have rescued and it was such an honor working along side them for the past week!
Today Allan was suppose to go in for his final surgery on the damage done to his skull, but with the recent bombings and business of the hospitals in Kampala that has been postponed. I was able to go with Allan for his pre-operation appointments though and let me tell you. He is such a strong little boy and I have no fears that when he is able to have the operation he will recover with flying colors! Allan was sitting on my lap while a blood sample was being taken from him last week, and it hit me. I feel so much love for him and it broke my heart to watch him in pain. This is how the Lord feels for all of us (his sons and daughters) only on a scale a million times of what I could ever fathom! I started writing this blog not wanting to make it a sad one, but to tell of the amazing life of little Allan and the joy he has forever left in my heart. I know God has big BIG plans for him and because myself and my friend Katie are going to begin sponsoring him from the U.S. we will be able to continue to invest into his life :)! The Lord showed me SO many miracles this week and I have a new understanding of his abounding love for me.
-You can read more of Allan’s story and many other amazing kids on KCM’s website www.kyampisi.org! I greatly encourage all of you to check it out:)
I had such an amazing week in Kyampisi and it is a place that will never be far from my mind or my heart! But i still have three more weeks here in Africa and I can’t wait to see what else God has to show me!
LOVE YOU ALL!!
xoxo Jodie
