Two years ago, I met a sweet boy named Emma. It
only took minutes to decide, he had the best personality of any child I had
ever met. He made everyone in his presence laugh until it hurt - he was so full
of joy and found pleasure in adding joy to the lives of others. He was also
very mature. Evidenced by the fact that he bought a bike with his own money,
saved from allowance, and washed it religiously, and he had many animals of
which he took great care. He didn’t have these animals just for the sake of
having a pet, but for the purpose of making profit. He was smart. Soon after
purchasing his own goat, it was discovered that goat was pregnant. Emma then
had many goats. (He claims he knew this, and that is why he chose it.)
I met Emma two years ago in Uganda at one of A Perfect Injustice’s homes. Emma had been rescued from the streets. I remember looking at Emma often and struggling to process how a boy with so much joy, had suffered so much.
Well, the answer is simple. Jesus rescued Emma. Not only from the streets, but from himself. Emma now serves that Big God who saved Him.
I have been so excited to see Him again. I had the chance to spend a short time with him this weekend. Today, Emma was resettled with his mother. Though this means he will be in less comfortable conditions, Emma on his own decided, he wanted to go help take care of her. With the many skills he has learned, he knows he can now provide for her and his family. Also, PRAISE GOD, during the time Emma has been in the API homes, his home life has become a safe environment, unlike before.
Last night at Emma's last family devotion, each of the boys went around and gave Emma some last words. They all encouraged him in many ways, but all of their words pointed to the Gospel. They told him – “don't be of the world”; “Don't forget to read your bible and go to church”; “Don't sin and do bad things.” “Don't make bad friends, have a good group”; “Remember to pray to God”; “Remember to pray for those still on the streets”; “Obey your mother”; “Tell your mom and neighbors the Gospel” ; “Let people see how you are different now, so they can see Jesus”; “Remember that we will always be your brothers”; “Remember - God changed you.”
The boys then all gathered around him, and prayed over his life.
Emma came into the API as an abandoned child. He lived in the API homes where he was taught the ways in which he should go. Today, Emma was sent into the world as a disciple. As a man of God. As a faithful servant who is willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
Today, I am overjoyed. I can't really explain to you the emotions I feel as I stand in rooms full of fatherless boys who once lived on the streets - now praising their heavenly Father with all that is in them. Boys that not only are faithfully serving God, but are encouraging each other too.
Today, I am overjoyed as I see the most beautiful and perfect picture of redemption.
Pray for Emma. Pray that through Emma's life, hundreds more would experience this same redemption.
(Read more about Emma's amazing story here)
(All these pictures were taken in 2012. Emma is now around sixteen years old)
