Meet Kadenge.
Kadenge is 2 years old and goes to Kyampisi Children School.
He has a little brother and an older sister and an incredible mom that loves the Lord and him.
Kadenge was the first child that I picked up in Africa and as soon as I picked him up…
I had a feeling that part of me just wasn't going to come back.
I don't think I could have been anymore right.
Everytime I come into the village the other kids yell for Kadenge and he come running across the compound and jumps up into my arms. He holds on for a little while- runs around for a little while and then typically comes back and sits in my lap with some type of food… mandazi or rice balls or corn or something. You would be blown away with the amount of food he can eat.
Last Tuesday, I had the honor of going with Kadenge into Kampala with the Kyampisi Children's Choir and some other KCM staff and Real Life teammates. I spent most of the day taking pictures and holding him.
In the car, he sat in my lap. At the church, he sat in my lap or listened to my ipod/watched Ratattoui on my ipod. In the city, he held my hand or rode on my back. On the ride home, he slept in my lap.
I seriously cannot tell you how much Kadenge has taught me about God and His children.
We somewhere get this idea that we have to perform for God and that God is either this huge man that sits on a throne and judges us cruely all the time or as some wimp that we can walk all over. The truth couldn't be further. God is like this incredible Father that just wants to watch you enjoy what He is going to give you and then He sits in His glory and invites you in.
The trust and the love that Kadenge has taught me has legitimately changed the way that I see relationships and the way that I see a childlike faith and an unconditional love. It doesn't matter what Kadenge does, I will always love him. How much more love does God have for us? While I am Kadenge's sponsor… God is our creator and sustainer. It is incredible to see the bond that is created when we recognize that we are fully reliant on God to provide all things.
So my challenge to you– is when God presents you with a gift even for a time- like an ipod for two hours. Sit down. Listen close. and Accept all that He wants to give you.
