October 21st - Komakech Henry

Wow.  What do you feel when you're about to meet a child that you've supported for 5 years?  You've seen the letters and the drawing as well as updated photos.  But you haven't yet held them in your arms.

Until today.

Today I met Komakech Henry.  I learned so much more about him than letters could ever tell.  He is EXTREMELY shy and timid.  Henry, my beautiful child, is a complete orphan.  He has lost both parents.  I had previously been concerned that the loss may have been due to AIDS but now I am fairly certain that it wasn't.  I was told that Henry's tribe comes from the northern part of Uganda.  The portion that borders Sudan.  There is a huge prevalence still of the "Lord's Army".  Had Henry's family not relocated him to the central portion of Uganda he very well may have become a child solder.  I thank God that he didn't.  After moving to the central region he lived with his grandmother.  She has now also passed away.  So my little orphan is now left to live with his uncle and 7 children in what I can only imagine is a very small home.  Still he tells me, through the help of the interpreter and with as few words as possible, that his family life is good and that all at home are well!

I also learned that Henry loves soccer, supports an opposing team to mine (Arsenal), and is a tremendous striker.  While playing with some of the other children he scored the only 2 goals of the game.  Like a proud soccer mom I video taped them both from the sideline!  Though he is so very very shy every time that he would touch the ball or do anything he would casually glance over at me to make sure I was still watching.  The only time I heard his laughter was on the soccer pitch.  This was also the time that his smile was the largest.

I found out that his favorite animal is a cow, his color orange, and that he wants to become a doctor.  I believe this will be the perfect occupation for him based on the character traits that I observed!  He also has never fallen below 20th in his class and is normally up around 14th.  I'm so proud!

The biggest shock of the day was when the children were asked to get on stage as a group and introduce themselves.  Some of the children sang songs and some repeated memory verses.  I was sure that when it came to be his turn that Henry would be barely audible.  Instead he proudly took the microphone and said loudly, "I'm Komakech Henry and I have a song!"  He then sang Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!  I was smiling and laughing with such joy that I can't even put it into words.  What an amazing young man.  12 going on 13 with all his life ahead of him and now I hope and pray that he knows, despite having lost most of his local family, that he has a mom in the US that is so proud of him and loves him beyond measure.