Ngaramtoni

5.18.15

When we first arrived at Ngaramtoni and got out of the bus, we were greeted by the head teacher, Scolastica, who introduced us to the Convoy of Hope feeding program. I learned that some parents prioritize feeding their children that have not received any meal. Some parents enroll their kids into Ngaramtoni mainly because of the feeding program.

After this introduction, our next task was to feed the children. The students began to line up with their old tupperwares, cups, container lids, or anything that could hold food beside me and bucket full of rice. The teacher of that classroom handed me a plate, which I was to use to scoop food and place it into the students’ bowls. As I did this, my heart started breaking for these children.

I definitely related to a section in Hole in the Gospel: “This overwhelmed me, and my tears started to flow. Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. I didn’t know. But I did know. I knew about poverty and suffering in the world. I was aware that children die daily from starvation and lack of clean water. I also knew about AIDS and the orphans it leaves behind, but I kept these things outside of my insulating bubble and looked the other way” (Stearns & Richard, 10). It was hard to imagine because the life I have lived in America has been so plentiful. Never have I lacked food, water, or a roof over my head. Never have my parents struggled to keep their children healthy. I realized that I lived a very ignorant life and it overwhelmed me.


In serving cross-culturally, I will see many differences and many of these differences will be hard to take in. I must be able to overcome these emotions so that I can serve full-heartedly and efficiently.