This is our friend Henry. And with Henry, we don’t use the term “friend” lightly. Starting Day One, he has been nothing but helpful. From offering us tours of the orphanage to working with the boys to set up our plumbing system, Henry has been there for us. He has also been a huge aid when it comes to understanding African customs and traditions. You will often find him taking tea with us, showing us around downtown Kampala or staying up late, tasting our “American” creations in the kitchen. He totally gets our American humor and he always has us laughing with his jokes and stories. No one can be sad around Henry.
This is Henry, learning to flip Chips-My-Eye (potato wedges fried with 2 eggs broken on top).
Henry has been here since he was 4 years old. Now, at age 24, he is well on his way to making a name for himself. He is going to college to be a medical lab technician. Even though he is on holiday from his studies, Henry wakes up with the sun, has his devotions, does some work around the house for us, goes to his job at the clinic, and then somehow has time to come back, wash his clothes and hang out with us for the rest of the day. He jokingly said once that "a slow body is the sign of a slow mind." I don't think Henry will ever have to worry about either one. He is extremely smart and is always ready to learn.
Hard at work on our sewage system.
At this point, Henry’s family has pooled all their money together for his education so that when he gets a job, he will be able to turn around and pay for his siblings to go to school as well. The government pays for his tuition (because he's so intelligent). We are working to raise money for his textbooks and a bike so that he won’t have to walk the 3 hours (one way) to his clinicals everyday next semester. Already, money is pouring in for the bike. One of the kids in my mom’s 1st and 2nd grade class gallantly brought in $10, saying, “I want Henry to have his bike.” Henry was almost brought to tears when we told him about it. He has already written the boy an email to thank him. That’s just how Henry is. We are hoping to get him a microscope as well and find sponsorship for his sister so that he can use the money from his job to help his aging mother get settled into a good home.
The amazing thing about Henry is that NOT ONCE have any of us heard him complain about his situation. His selflessness inspires us all. We get frustrated at our lack of running water or the multiple mice and cockroaches in our house. Yet, Henry is the first to volunteer to carry water up from the lake or to make us laugh when the mouse has eaten all of our fresh produce. I wish each of you had an opportunity to meet him. Hopefully, through this post, you will catch a glimpse of who he his. I pray that you feel blessed to know him. I know we are. -Megan
Henry, Megan, Jared, and Travis
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