This morning Grace was working on a video for a potential scholarship. It was funny for us to hear him reciting a 3-minute synopsis of his story in the background of our morning. We had an extra hour due to the time-change, so I was making muffins, sewing a few scarfs for next week's holiday market, cleaning bottles, packing up Hannah's bag for the day, looking up directions to the soccer park, and buying more time on our calling card for Ugandan calls. Edith was undoing her braids, watching videos online, and periodically entertaining Hannah. Tim was doing something outside involving throwing rocks down the hill (that's what it looked like anyway), helping with Hannah, and getting ready for his first soccer league game with his hispanic friends from school. And, Grace was feeding Hannah, eating muffins, starting laundry, doing school reading, listening to political news, dressing for church, and jumping the van's dead battery. Actually, we all helped with that last one!
So, in the midst of all this every-day activity and competing priorities, Grace is trying to find a quiet space to record his voice telling his story. There is a scholarship opportunity available at his school that requires a 3-minute video to tell his story. As I listened to him tell the very basics, just scratching the surface of his story, it was a little surreal. I had this moment of deep respect and appreciation for him and all that he has sacrificed for our family and for pursuing his own dream. I often get caught up in the sacrifices that I have made...what I have given up. But, the reality is that we both have given up alot, and are gaining so much in the process.
Grace has gone from being an important person in Jinja, Uganda, to a man starting over again. He gave up an important reputation, being a visionary, and having leadership over a large secondary school as well as many other community projects. He is now starting in beginning level classes at a a community college, while working at an entry level job, cleaning up after other people. in family life, he is learning how to do EVERYTHING....how to navigate the city, use an ATM and credit/debit cards, shop at a huge grocery store, get gas, apply for benefits, etc. etc. etc....I often forget how amazing that is. He is 42 years old and is at a place that most 20 year olds are, as far as school and job. BUT, he has the responsibilities of someone his age....a wife and 3 kids to support with his time and money, family in Uganda to care for, assets to keep track of, and the future to plan for. It is nothing short of amazing that he is currently managing all of this...and we still like eachother...ALOT!
I guess I just wanted to take a moment and brag on him. We have so far to go, but are confident in getting there...mainly because we are willing to do what it takes.
So, in the midst of all this every-day activity and competing priorities, Grace is trying to find a quiet space to record his voice telling his story. There is a scholarship opportunity available at his school that requires a 3-minute video to tell his story. As I listened to him tell the very basics, just scratching the surface of his story, it was a little surreal. I had this moment of deep respect and appreciation for him and all that he has sacrificed for our family and for pursuing his own dream. I often get caught up in the sacrifices that I have made...what I have given up. But, the reality is that we both have given up alot, and are gaining so much in the process.
Grace has gone from being an important person in Jinja, Uganda, to a man starting over again. He gave up an important reputation, being a visionary, and having leadership over a large secondary school as well as many other community projects. He is now starting in beginning level classes at a a community college, while working at an entry level job, cleaning up after other people. in family life, he is learning how to do EVERYTHING....how to navigate the city, use an ATM and credit/debit cards, shop at a huge grocery store, get gas, apply for benefits, etc. etc. etc....I often forget how amazing that is. He is 42 years old and is at a place that most 20 year olds are, as far as school and job. BUT, he has the responsibilities of someone his age....a wife and 3 kids to support with his time and money, family in Uganda to care for, assets to keep track of, and the future to plan for. It is nothing short of amazing that he is currently managing all of this...and we still like eachother...ALOT!
I guess I just wanted to take a moment and brag on him. We have so far to go, but are confident in getting there...mainly because we are willing to do what it takes.
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