Monday, October 15, 2007

April 18


Uwamahoro


... be happy ... your names are written in heaven.


Luke 10:20 (NCV)



I love Uwamahoro. I can’t help it. Though we’ve never met, I feel like we’re kin which, seems strange since she has a happy, inviting, black face while my bare, white legs are known to blind friends and family, and send complete strangers running! But enough about me, what about her?

Uwamahoro lives in the small African nation of Rwanda in an AIDS/HIV affected area. She lost both her mom and dad there and now she and grandma barely get by. After we sponsored her, she responded with gratitude and told me about herself. She enjoys church and school, but especially loves singing in the choir ... and running. One look at her picture and I can see she was built for speed! She just looks fast, but there’s more here. There is a kindness in her eyes, and she looks like a leader. A kind leader, but one not to fool with!

I love Uwamahoro’s letters and in one, she told how she celebrated Christmas. On Christmas Day, Her friends came over to her place, they sat around and ate a little candy. That was it. And they were happy!

Uwamahoro may not have a lot of things, but she has friends, and she has a lot of love. And now I love her. She stirred my heart. This poem is for my African friend....

Uwamahoro

What is in a name?
And what is in this name?
Uwamahoro....

Uwamahoro means one thing to you
But something more to me
For there’s music in this name

Uwamahoro, your name sings
A happy, cheerful chorus
A village of voices

Jubilant jumping, singing, running
Proclaiming God’s greatest glory
The joy of friends in celebration

Uwamahoro, your name sings
Like wind-blown rain
Pounding a path to me

One of God’s great gifts
Like nature itself
Pure and clean

Uwamahoro sings
Not a lonely solo
But a happy, cheerful chorus

A rising tune that says,
With God we can
With God we will

Uwamahoro
Sing with smiling face
Life so good, life so free

Uwamahoro ...
A beautiful life sound
Sing to me!


Father, thank You for all Your children and for the pleasure of a friend’s name.