Bridget's Bunia Blog 46

No doubt the generous helping of sugar in the tea added to the animation, along with a lunch break where lunch was served, but the ISP students were genuinely excited about a two-day spiritual retreat. The singing was loud and fervent, the participation hearty, and the rapport with the speaker warm.

Robert came from Uganda for the two days to address the issues of life skills. A young, married, English-speaking African man was a good match for the ISP student body and they easily identified with him. He was well-experienced in speaking to youth, having worked with Scripture Union in Uganda before starting Life Skills Solution International. He spoke on the subjects of self-esteem, decision-making, sex and relationships, and a purpose-driven life – all of which were heartily endorsed by the students.

But one hopes that the enthusiasm for spiritual matters will prevail when a sugar-less Monday arrives and the sixth lunch-less day ensues. In fact, they’re better at dealing with these vicissitudes than I. Their prayers of thanksgiving at morning devotions bless me and challenge me in my attitude. They are tireless in their requests for help with health issues, finding money for fees, praying for grieving families and people on journeys. And they rejoice generously with classmates who praise God for providing their school fees.

Their favourite songs from the American hymn book are ‘No, never alone’, ‘’There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus’ and ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’. Umirambe loves ‘Trust and obey’; and I see in this Catholic a greater spirituality than in many of the ‘true sons of CECA-20’. Baraka, the son of a CECA-20 pastor, knows that the reputation of ‘pastor’s kids’ is bad and has determined to be different. Madit-Rwoth loves his name because it reminds him of the fact that his parents prayed for him when as a child he almost died and God spared him. Some of the students are pretty poor at writing the correct answers to the doctrine questions but their lives show that true belief is influencing their behaviour.

How does growth occur? Jesus said we don’t know how it happens. The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the head, and finally the head full of grain. (Mk 4:26-28) So each one of us must do the work that the Lord has given to him – planting or watering – and wait for God to make the plant grow. (I Cor 3: 5-7) It happens. I saw such spiritual growth in others at a different time in another place.

I watched the magnolia tree
respond to the warmth and light of spring.
That which appeared dead put forth buds.
Out from the dull green sheaths emerged
tightly furled pink-tinged petals
In due time those flowers will
unfurl,
	expand
		blossom -
revealing all the beauty of the inner cup.

And so it is with you.

Exposed to the warmth of friendship
and the light of God's truth,
your faith has been nurtured.
Your inner spirit exposed -
gently,
	cautiously,
		imperceptibly.
One day we'll witness the revelation of the full bloom.

Blessings,
Bridget