Jesus at the Center
It’s hard to put into words the overwhelming feelings of happiness you get as you walk through the gates of The James Place. I felt it three years ago during my first time in Uganda, I felt it again in the summer of 2018, and I still feel it now every single morning when I walk through to begin my day. Returning to Uganda for the fall was a big decision and hands down the best one I have ever made. This being my third time at The James Place, I was welcomed back with open arms and instantly felt I was where I belonged. To see the children I first saw as small babies in childcare be flourishing as big preschoolers and excelling in Primary School was the best reassurance of God’s providence in this place. The preschoolers at The James Place are surely going to be world changers with their determination to learn and the passion their teachers bring daily. It is a pleasure to get to spend my days helping, learning, and playing alongside each and every one of the students and teachers.
To say that Uganda, and The James Place, is one of my favorite places would be an understatement because it IS my favorite place in the world. It will forever hold its spot in my heart. This place quickly becomes like home and the people like family. We say over and over that we are all about relationships. It’s about the smiles and hugs as you greet each other every morning. It’s about the conversations that go deeper and build connections. It’s the laughs and jokes that break all language and cultural barriers.
Through being here, the Lord has taught me that friendship is truly the best gift we could possibly have in our lives. Everyday I’m given the opportunity to live amongst these incredible women and their children and grandchildren and simply be their friend. I have probably laughed more in the past few months here than the majority of my life. I return home some nights with my mouth hurting from how much I’ve smiled that day. Through these women and children I have learned about true joy and the character of Jesus himself.
It’s impossible to enter those gates and not notice that something is different about the place. Jesus is at the center of The James Place. Jesus is in the smiling faces of every woman, He’s in the cheerful sounds of laughter amongst the children, and all the praises lifted up at Friday worship. The James Place is so much more than a place where people come to work every day. It is a place where friendships thrive, where love knows no distance or bounds, and where joy oozes from every corner of the place.
