Joyce

Meet Joyce!

This is the nine year old little girl I am blessed to sponsor. She lives in a house the size of my bedroom with her mother and father and eleven brothers and sisters. Not too long ago her mother left her father and took seven of the children to work in a stone quarry. When Joyce’s father learned of the situation, he found his children, rescued them from the quarry and brought them home to raise by himself. It is very rare for a father in Uganda to take on the responsibility of raising his children, let alone twelve children! But this man is different. Recently Joyce’s mother returned to the family and is currently still living with them. Joyce doesn't smile very often; under the circumstances I can understand why. But every now and then you see her joy and it is as the clouds revealing the sun. I experienced this yesterday when I pulled up in van and parked across from Joyce's house. Her eyes caught mine through the van window and instantly her face lit up; I had to hold back the tears. This beautiful little girl is stealing my heart.

The home Joyce and her 11 brothers and sisters live in

I was able to meet Joyce's entire family last week and share some pictures of my family with them. Just as we were leaving the neighborhood, Joyce’s sister ran up and placed two photographs in my hand. They were old and worn and had the negatives attached to the back. One was of the family and the other was of a much younger Joyce. I wondered, “Where in the World did this family get these photographs? They do not have cameras and they definitely don’t have means to develop pictures.” I can only assume the pictures were of great worth to the family and yet they gave them to me. How humbling. I wanted to decline, but I understood they were trying to honor me so I gratefully accepted the gift.

Sharing a peanut butter sandwich

I am so happy Joyce has the opportunity to attend school; the village she lives in is known as a prostitute village. Without an education she would most likely succumb to the same fate as the rest of her community. Two of her other siblings also attend school; we are praying for sponsors for the other nine children and I continue to pray that Joyce will walk in the vision and plan God has laid out for her.

Manicure time!