A teenagers perspective…
This afternoon has to be one of my highlights of the year so far. Nope let me correct that.. of the last 5 years!
I spent the afternoon sitting on our sofa with my son James, talking about all things life, Jesus and Africa.
As a missionary parent, you are more aware than anyone else, of the huge price your children pay to follow you to the mission field. In the last 5 years of living in Uganda I don’t think a day has passed where it hasn’t crossed my mind at least once and I have questioned whether I am doing the right thing for my kids or not?
I am so aware of the things my children miss out on, the challenges they face, the experiences they will never have, the western comforts they don’t get to enjoy.
My kids haven’t had the best toys, the most modern computers and all the luxuries their peers have back in England.
They haven’t had access to the worlds best education system and the opportunities that can bring… and some days that makes me sad.
But today as I sat talking with James, I was reminded once again that they have been given something else, that their lives are blessed in a different way and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
They haven’t been to the school dance and to friends birthday parties and celebrations. But they have had the honour of becoming friends with the poor and sitting inside a little dirt house eating simple food and sharing it with huge amounts of joy and laughter
They haven’t had the latest most fashionable clothes, trainers and haircuts. But they have had the joy of sharing what they do have with children who have nothing and they have learnt about the beautiful joy of giving.
They haven’t stood on a school stage and taken a lead role in the latest production or dance show. But they have stood in the middle of the slum and spoken about the healing power of Jesus and seen the sick healed and the blind see.
As I sat listening to my son talk today I felt overwhelmingly thankful for the privilege of raising my children here.
Here is a glimpse into some of how our conversation went:
‘Mum I have learnt to be thankful…. You and Dad do really really annoy me at times ( can’t fault his honesty! ) but to be honest I’m just so thankful that you are both alive and that I have parents that love me and that tops everything ‘
(yep that almost made me cry)
‘Mum I feel like Africa has put my life into perspective, the things I find hard here are nothing compared to what the families we work with have to deal with, so why moan and get all stressy about it, just be thankful and get on with life ‘
(I may have to occasionally remind him of this one!)
‘How can I complain when we have food and a home to live in’
(when you live amongst people who have neither – this is a pretty good point)
When we moved to live here I knew the poor had so much to teach me, but I never imagined just how much they would teach my children too.
They have fallen in love with Jesus and they have fallen in love with the broken and to me, that’s a pretty fantastic start to life! One I wouldn’t change it for anything…
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22 v 6
