Going Home Well

A family compound in the village

For the past three weeks we have been on break between the second and third terms of the school year. During this time, the Ruth House girls leave the routine of school life at Amazima and return home to families and friends. These term breaks bring joy. Our girls all have someone who loves them dearly, someone our girls think and worry about constantly. These term breaks also deliver challenges. Compared to Amazima, the living quarters are sparse, the chores are physically demanding, and the food is less plentiful.

Ruth House. Empty. No girls in sight.

We try to inspire our girls to go home well. After Term Two exams were over, and before the students left the campus for the term break, we discussed during our morning devotions and evening house meetings what it means to go home well. We talked about being a light for Christ at home, behaving respectfully, serving happily, and choosing wisely. One evening we held a panel discussion about going home well. The panel members talked about what they liked best about going home and what they feared the most, about making wise choices and avoiding compromising situations, about working hard at home and serving as an example to their siblings, and about comforting and even teaching their parents.

This past week, before Term Three starts, we visited the girls' families. Family visits are vitally important to Amazima's mission. Amazima's goal is to create a ministry based on a partnership between Westerners and Ugandans, between Amazima school workers and students' family members. No school in Uganda visits with the parents of the students. No school in Uganda sends family mentors into students' homes to get to know the families, to ask how the families are doing, to pray for the families and provide encouragement and support with the love of Christ. Amazima is trying to be different.

Denny with two Ruth House girls and a grandma

All the families were visited. We saw the home life, we heard about family success stories and current difficulties, we answered questions about school requirements (supplies), and just generally saw how the families were doing.  Our Ugandan partner was side-by-side with us on these visits, overcoming language issues and helping us to act in culturally appropriate ways. We love these visits.  The families are so welcoming. They thank us and God for loving and caring for their children.  We talked to the parents about how their children behaved while at home.  We stressed that the Amazima school is more than an academic education, it is also a teaching ground to raise servant leaders who follow God.

Fetching water

We received such good reports about the Ruth House girls. They helped with chores without complaining, fetching water daily (which for many is a two to three kilometer walk), digging in the garden, helping with meals, and being an example for siblings. One grandma told Sandra that having her granddaughter home was like having a three-week holiday, the granddaughter helped so much.  Another parent said that the child was a pillar for the family the past few weeks.  One mom said her daughter comforted her and talked to her about trusting God and not worry, as the mom stressed over their family situation.

A harvest of corn and coffee beans

We saw the challenges. We heard a story about the husband who returned home only to beat his wife, and then left. We learned that a father of one our of girls was gravely ill in the hospital. The mother was gone, caring for him. Our girl was at home alone, caring for four little nieces and nephews that live with them. We prayed with her as she cried. We reminded her of all that she had learned at Amazima about trusting God and leaning on God's strength. We encouraged her that God was with her, that God prepared her for this, and that through this experience she would come to know God in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Today is the day the girls return to Ruth House to begin Term Three. We cannot wait until they arrive. We are so proud of these girls and the reports we received.  Proud of how they honor their parents and serve humbly, with joy not shame or complaint.