Squatting in the hot African sun, Rebecca wondered what God would do through her and her teammates to communicate His love to this rural community. Deep in thought, she reflected in the foreground of the useless dilapidated toilet. It had served its purpose historically in the impoverished school He had brought her way. And there was no hope for a replacement.
But God is the God of Hope. He put yet another dream inside Rebecca to believe that a new permanent toilet could be provided for the students and staff of God’s Plan Nursery and Primary School. Rebecca has learned that when God guides He also provides. What God originates God orchestrates. The idea grew to be a plan and a strategy was executed to accomplish the plan.
To many people from developed nations, this may seem like a small project, but to the students, staff, parents, and people of this community, it is a hugely significant development. Of course, it will go unnoticed by the rest of the nation and world. But in the heart and souls of those in this community, it would tell a story that will change perspective. People would begin to believe perceive that God has not forgotten them. Followers of Jesus who don’t care who gets noticed are willing to be His hands and feet … thereby communicating His heart.
Early this week, supplies had been delivered on-site for the completion of the new toilet. Rebecca’s team assisted in the loading and unloading of heavy concrete slabs that would serve as the floor of the five-stall improvement.
Without this toilet, the students and staff have been relieving themselves in a most primitive fashion. Now a 20 feet hole had been dug which would be covered with the slabs. A brick structure will be built on and above them. Better sanitation will result and this normally private necessity would be as it should be.
One of the best features of the SOZO Dream Foundation is that it is a ministry motivated by hearts that are committed to following Jesus. He is the Owner and Director of all the efforts. He is the Benefactor and the people of Uganda are the beneficiaries. The SOZO team is simply a conduit for the goodness and grace of Jesus Christ.
Consequently, the team takes pleasure in all aspects of the work. They are not enlisted in SOZO for personal gain or any measure of notoriety. Though others will be blessed to see their heart and applaud their efforts, the motivation is for God’s pleasure and others’ benefit.
Having said that, please let us introduce you to Alfred, whose back is to you in this photo of him paying for the supplies needed to complete the toilet project. Rebecca wants all of her friends to meet him as she believes him to be one of the best examples of a follower of Jesus who is all about the Kingdom of God.
It is our prayer that the latrine will be completed by the end of this week. Bringing Jesus Christ into an environment more often than not is the result of an individual responding to a call of God upon their life to do something practical that meets a need and which will communicate God’s love in a practical way. To repeat an often-used slogan … “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Imagine with us … through these two topical photos the glory of God here in the beautiful plains of Northern Uganda and how much He cares for the people who reside there.
