We are seven adults taking care of the Mwangaza children as they tour USA. They call us uncles and aunties, e.g. Uncle Henry, Auntie Kathryn, Auntie Grace. While on tour, we are their parents and they are our children.
Now, as parents we know that we must teach our children. We must teach them how to tie their shoes and brush their teeth. We must teach them their ABC’s and their 1, 2, 3’s. We must teach them to respect others and make wise choices. And we must teach them first and foremost the gospel and their need for salvation. But along the way, we often forget that God gives us children not just so that we could teach them, but so that they could teach us.
Being with the Mwangaza Children makes you realize that “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
Just looking at these Ugandan children as a case study, you realize that children teach us how to love others regardless of skin color, personality, and abilities.
They teach us to be real and sincere in our emotions-not being afraid to laugh or to cry when we need to.
They teach us that status and significance mean nothing compared to kindness and tenderness.
And they teach us to enjoy life and not worry so much about tomorrow because right now is the moment that really matters.
-Henry Muguluma
When the Choir stayed with us I understood how simple and free God's spirit is through the mouths of these babes. Open, unashamed to feel God, sharing God's love with those around them, the excitement of their dance for Him, pure happiness without materialism, and last but not least an everlasting bond with those touched by their presence.
ReplyDeleteSuch wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThe life of my family was changed in so many ways by our much too short hosting of 3 of the Mwangaza choir boys and their awesome Chaperone Henry. How often we forget to thank God each day for the "little" things that are really such "big" parts of our lives (e.g., food, family, friends, a roof over our heads) and yet our 3 young house guests never forgot to thank God (and their temporary Auntie) for everything (including their lives). Their simple but meaningful nightly devotion where they pick a bible verse and explain its special meaning to them is something every Christian parent should do with their own kids. Thank you Mwangaza for showing us God's Grace and Goodness. You are gone... but will never be forgotten!!
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