The Wisdom of Michael

Oddyseus has just been released from the island of the goddess Calypso and was off for "home at last" when the god of the sea Poseidon wrecked his ship and left him to his fate in the churning waters. But with the help of Athena and Ino he reached land on the coast of Phaeacia. It is here that he is welcomed by king Alcinous with the utmost hospitality... I can say that I have felt the same here in Northern Uganda among the Acholi, as Oddyseus felt among the Phaeacians. We spent a couple hours this afternoon at St. Jude's Orphanage playing with the children there. I had a blast playing soccer with Joshua and Paul. These kids are ballers. When I missed the ball on our record setting attempt of kicking it to each other in the air, I was assured that "there is no need to sweat." The only thing that can rival their coolness on the field is their suave personalities; joyful dudes to be sure. It seems odd or even awkward dropping into an orphanage for a few hours and then leaving. However I was very glad to hear that Invisible Children has developed a relationship with this orphanage for several years and we will have an opportunity to go back each week. At the least, it was humans interacting with humans, all with smiles on their faces. This afternoon I sat underneath the well built pavillion in our compound with its architect Michael. We talked about the history of Uganda, the Acholi people, religion and I felt as if I was receiving a private lecture. This 30 year old father of three who finished O Level(high school) but did not go on to A level talked with the ease of any University professor. When we came to religion, he told me that there are people in Northern Uganda who are becoming turned off by religion because it is becoming more and more like a business. So many branches and denominations are popping up and many are modeling themselves after churches in the west where building size and programming takes precident over actually taking Christ's Kingdom to the poor of a person's community and helping to transform their lives. We talked about the passage where God says "heaven is my throne and the Earth is a footstool for my feet, what manner of house will you build me?" Also where Christ prays that believers would be united, not divided, so that the world would recognize His followers. There is so much to process in this life and I think that two of the main tools needed along the journey are humility and awareness. It was good journeying with Michael today and having "church" with an Acholi member of Christ's Kingdom outside while the rain beat on the thatched roof of our pavillion.