A LESSON IN THE DARK

32 children, two weeks without any electricity, and almost five days without water. Does it sound outrageous to you? Well this was a reality to me, this was my life. We had no electricity because thieves were stealing oil from the transformers which would lead them to blow. Our neighborhoods transformer was not in stock so had to be ordered. The water department was also carrying out maintenance at the same time, so no water. During this period of time the children were in school so it was difficult to get 30 kids up before 6am, in the dark, just by candlelight and warming water for them on a charcoal stove to make sure they don't bathe in cold water because of course there are no water heaters working. Two weeks without electricity also means that communication is down to almost nil. No electricity to run the 8 year old computer or the laptop. No electricity to charge my mobile phone which is our only means of communication. We used
the car charger to try and keep the phone from dying completely or we drive 15 minutes to the pastor's house to try and charge the phone for a short time while in town running errands. Then when the water stopped coming, not only do you do all the above but also get about fifteen 20 litre plastic jugs filled from the lake and bring it home to boil for usage for bathing and for using for the toilets. That process is called fetching water. I fetched water three times a day to have water for bathing, toilets, cleaning and cooking. I have had tough times in Uganda before but this was one of the toughest.



One evening as I was coming home from buying a few items in town. I pulled into our newly graveled driveway. It was about 8:OOpm and the kids were running out of the house chanting "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!
"
It's a regular occurrence whenever I leave the house and come back and it normally puts a smile on my face but not tonight. I was really tired and not happy about the situation at home with the lack of utilities. As I backed in the headlights (the only lights around) shined on the perimeter wall of the compound. The kids took the opportunity to run out and start making funny dances and hand puppets in the lights. I turned off the van and sat there, but let the kids play in the dark with the headlights on. I began to laugh. Some where dancing, some where just making funny motions, others were making hand puppets. After a few minutes of this, they began to sing. They were still dancing around and being silly but they began to sing. They began with "I am a friend of God." A few of the words are "Who am I that you are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call. Is it true that you are thinking of me? Oh how you love me . . . " I was just enjoying them playing not really realizing what they were doing. The kids kept singing other praise & worship songs. This went on for a good 45 minutes. I was really enjoying it when I heard that still small voice, "I want you to be like them. Praise me even when it's dark." That's all that was said and that is all that needed to be said.



My kids at that moment could care less that there was no electricity and that there was no water. They could care less that they couldn't sleep with the hall light on so they could have light when they go to the bathroom at night. At that moment they were singing and praising God in the dark. It was such a blow to me. I need to be more like them. Praising the Lord and giving thanks even in the "dark". Even when times are as tough as they were, I still needed to give glory to God and sing praises to Him. Why? Because regardless of the situation, He is still greater than any hurdle and He is still my Father who has great plans for me. So no matter what, it won't always be dark. Days won't always be hard. And joy will come in the morning. But when joy comes in the morning, I should have still praised Him in the night.



I will always remember April 25, 2009-when I learned from my children, to Praise and Worship the Lord, even in the dark.