Last Friday I talked about SHOWING UP. Showing up despite fear. Showing up despite discomfort. Showing up with open eyes and open hearts and reaching out to people in need. The words are a big deal no matter how you’re deciding to show up this year. Turning those words into action is an even bigger deal.
I’m in Uganda with Compassion International this week. I’ve never been this far from home, and while I like to consider myself a person who travels a lot, there’s still a bit of anxiety shaking around in my belly. I can feel the far away.
Halfway through our flight from Amsterdam to Uganda this past weekend, I realized I was going to have to set some things aside. The scarf I’d been using as a security blanket for the past day and a half of travel would have to go in the warm Ugandan climate. The neck pillow… outta here! Did I really need that thing anyway? Hand sanitizer… just enough already.
More real than the material comforts though, I realized way up in the air between continents, that I’d also need to set aside my comfort zone, my sense of normalcy, and my ridiculous weekday morning social media schedule because something much bigger is at work.
Can we talk about it?
A dense crystal white fog hung over Entebbe this morning. Not the kind of fog that San Franciscans would name Karl, something more tropical, asking you to feel your skin. We waited for the fog to disperse, revealing this lush green landscape as we flew the small plane to a town in Northern Uganda called Lira.
We flew to Lira to meet these beautiful children, part of Compassion’s church center in Lira.
We were greeted in Lira by these beautiful faces singing us a welcome song. They’re the children of the All Saint Boroboro Child Development Center. As they sang I wondered if I had enough to offer them… if the nerves in my gut and the love in my heart would be enough. Just to see these bright faces with a song on their lips trotting towards you is enough to send your heart soaring. Their voices are all at once quiet and full.
By the end of their singing I, along with my security blanket and comfort zone, had also set aside my anxieties. There’s just no room for those things where hope and love shine so bright.
And then I met this little love, Gloria Hope.
I realized something big. Like… brought tears to my eyes big. All that stuff I set aside… the comforts of my big scarf, neck pillow, and regularly scheduled life and work… the comforts of who I am, and the love I have to share stays and thrives when the baggage is stripped away. You don’t need a lot. You don’t need anything, really. You just need compassion. Compassion enough to act.
I’m Gloria’s sponsor through Compassion. That means that every month, the money I donate goes directly to her physical health, mental welfare, and spiritual growth. She’s eight years old and she shines bright in the world. She wants to be a teacher, and I know one day she will be. I can see it in her eyes. To see Compassion’s work in Lira, to meet Gloria’s teachers, hear their songs, see not only their joy, but the good it brings their families… it’s incredible, connected, intentional, important work.
I made Gloria a little photo album of pictures from my life so she can understand me a bit better. I could tell she was perplexed by the number of cat photos in the book… when you strip things away, you never do stop being weird. So there’s that.
In other news, I’m trying to figure out how to translate “Hey girl, heeeyyyy’ into the local dialect. So far, no luck. I’ll keep trying… for all of us.
There are thousands of children just Gloria Hope all over the world that are waiting for sponsors through Compassion International. You won’t need a security blanket or neck pillow to change the life of a child in need. You just need to love that’s pumping through your veins exactly right now. You also need to be compassionate enough to act, which you totally are. This is real. The change, the love, the success. It really matters. I’ve seen it.
Other perspectives from Uganda:
Grace. At Home on The Nesting Place
What Hope Looks Like on GoinsWriter
Choosing the One You Least Expect on Chatting At The Sky
Compassion provided me a link to share with you. I am in no way compensated for your sponsorship or donation. I love you and I’m glad you’re here with me on this journey.
Jnan
Your intentions are good, Joy, but why must Americans force their faith on the rest of the world? Jesus is not the only way to salvation. If he was, the entire western world would be a very different place than what it is now. Respect all cultures. The planet has been around for millions of years before Jesus got here and there are billions of people leading rich, spiritual lives without knowing anything about Jesus. All Gods are one and all prayers reach The One and if you cannot recognize that ultimate truth and must insist that the entire planet prays to *your* god, then America must be more impoverished than I thought. Suggested reading: Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander. It might just surprise you! Om :)
Enobe
This is amazing and I salute your effort. I am from a third-world country myself & here is my perspective for what it’s worth. While all the effort that so many of these organizations put in is nothing short of noble, many of us resent that it comes with conditions: convert to Christianity is the hidden message, the invisible carrot dangling in front of our eyes. Why is it wrong to hold on to our traditions, our culture, our Gods, our dieties? At the risk of sounding ungrateful, can you not help us if we don’t pray to the same God you do? Why must all of us be Americanized? I don’t ask any of this with anger, only with hurt & disappointment. I have seen the missionaries work in my country, relentlessly brain-washing my people to give up their Gods and pray to Jesus instead. I love Jesus, I really really do. But I have begun to resent His followers because they don’t let me be. So, Joy, what I want to say is, thank you for your contributions and effort and your pure heart, but also please can you convince your people to let us pray the way we want to and to whom we want to? Please?
Megan - FireWifey
Love this. So so awesome that you got to meet her!
Becky
I have never left a comment but decided this was the day : )… “No Way!!!!” audibly left my mouth when I ended up on your site through Ann Voskamps via Chatting at the sky! I normally come to you for things like irresistible cookies and to-die – for scones. But today I was super excited to see that we have much more important things in common- deeper, life changing things (not that a good cookie can’t change the course of an otherwise miserable day: ) ). Praying you continue to be brave and yourself and beautifully authentic all this week- and that the words you are given to share will change the lives of even more of these beautiful children we are honored to journey through life with!!
Allana
In the summer of 2012 I spent a month in Rackoko, a village about an hour’s drive north west of Lira. I remember passing All Saint Boroboro Child Development Center and wondering about it. Thank you for letting me see what is inside & the good happening there!
joythebaker
are you serious!? that’s wonderful! i can happily tell you that they do really wonderful work there. compassion supports the local church there very well.
bakerkat
I’m glad your there. What a Blessing this trip and especially meeting Gloria Hope is for you.
It is all so amazing.
alison bravenec
What an amazing moment!!! I have a sponsored child too in Sri lanka and it would be amazing to meet him so I can only imagine the joy you two shared in meeting. So cool!! And I’m sure you can translate, hey girl heeeyyyy with your great smile and quirkiness too ;)
Emily Maynard
Beautiful. In every possible way. Thanks for changing my thought pattern for the day. And hopefully tomorrow and the next day, too. Safe travels and soak it up!
m e l
I love your blog, and have never commented. I love this! I went to Uganda about a year and a half ago, and it definitely took me out of my comfort zone coming from rural Idaho. We were in Gulu (not too far from Lira). I absolutely love the Acholi people and my two weeks there changed me forever. Thank you for what you are doing. Much love
Taylor
This story is so gorgeous. I’m so glad that you’re sharing it with all of us because it is so incredibly inspiring and uplifting. I hope to one day get bravery like that and travel far away to give my love. In the meantime though, I will be more than happy to help while being at home (with my cats too).
xoxo
Taylor
http://www.welcomehometaylor.com
Susanna
You are such a massive inspiration! God bless.
Amalia
Beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful!
Christy
The joy on your face when you’re getting ready to hug Gloria! What an incredibly moving photo. Thanks for sharing this journey with us.
Olivia
That sounds great. It’s good that you went and met the child your sponsored, and that you had an eye opening trip and learnt something for it as well.
http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/01/chaotic-days-how-to-relax.html?showComment=1390935780020#c4397432430458781081
Sherry DIetrich
That is fantastically amazing!!! I have dreamed big dreams of travel in my life, but as I get older, I have developed many fears, and one of them is airplane travel. I like my routines they offer comfort. But I donate to Women For Women International so I can help a woman far away accomplish something for herself, and know another woman far away wants her to succeed and believes she can and will. I wish I had the courage and could rid myself of the nausea and anxiety that comes over me to visit those I’ve sponsored. I applaud you for stepping outside your comfort zone and plunging ahead! Conquer one fear and you can overcome many more.
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
this makes my heart smile so big!
birgerbird
Oh, my word, you are a gift to the blogging community
beth
Really enjoying following your trip. Beauty!
Keely Scott
Beautiful! Thank you for “showing up” and for sharing sweet Gloria Hope’s story. Praying for you!
Caits
I had barely reached the end of this post before I was reaching for my purse. Your words and Gloria’s beautiful, smiling face gave me the push I needed to show up for 2014 and sponsor a child through ActionAid UK. All my love to you and your lovely girl, Joy.
Shannon
I love this and because of you, signed up immediately!! Thank you for the inspiration..if you see a little 3 year old named Dan…he’s my new guy!!
Kayla
I just recently started listening to your podcast and loved reading this post after hearing last week’s episode. What a wonderful organization Compassion International is!
ohAmanda
Beautiful! Praying for you and your trip this week!
a
Angela
What a wonderful post…so happy that you met Gloria! Thanks for letting us know about this charity,
Paulette
I sent in a reply earlier and then I went down to bake in my kitchen and hanging on my cupboard there it was a quote by Anais. “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”. Oh, Joy how you have blossomed into the fine young woman you are today. You have taken many risks, faced your fears and your garden of life is flowing in abundance and may it continue to grow. Paulette
Holly Waterfall
Way to ruin a girl’s makeup before work! no, I’m kidding-ish… you are amazing Joy! How wonderful it has been to watch you on this journey of life for the last number of years. You really are growing before our eyes, and it makes me proud. (i say all of this like we know each other but I feel like I really do haha) You are awesome!! What a wonderful story.
Helena Mouta
Hi Joy! I also sponsor a girl in Mozambique through a Portuguese (I am Portuguese and live in Portugal). I haven’t yet had the chance to go see her, though it is one of the things I’d most love to do. I can understand how you’d feel, finally meeting a girl you’ve been caring about for a long time, even though you had never met her. I hope that joy stays with you and her forever. Lots of love from Portugal to both of you!
Paulette
What a beautiful post. Looking into the faces of these beautiful children makes us realize just how lucky we are and what we can do to help make this place a better world to live in. Thanks again for sharing. Paulette
coffeeaddict
Such a compelliing and inspiration post :-) Makes me stop to thing about my security blankets and other baggace that prevents me to move forward.
Enjoy your stay in Uganda :-)
Maria B
You are SO Wonderful! I love that you are doing this. You have inspired me to sponsor a child as well… Pay it forward :) Enjoy your trip!
Dhanya Samuel
Would have loved to travel the way that you are doing….enjoy your time, girl! all the best….
Catherine McCord
This is so real. A world away, yet everything so touching and close. Thank you for your beautiful words and us of the importance of courage, love and passion for ourselves and other. You’re a warrior Miss Joy!
Kelly Hartman
BONKERS AWESOME! I heard from a friend who works for Compassion that you were going to be a Compassion blogger and I was so over the moon. I love your honesty and vulnerability…we hope to visit the boy we’ve been sponsoring for several years someday. Love it.
Misch
Beautiful and inspiring. I could feel the love as I read your post. Honest and courageous. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Stella Perez
What a beautiful, open and loving heart you have Joy. My daughter just returned from serving in the Peace Corps as Literacy/ English teacher. I could not have been prouder of her compassion and commitment to serve humanity. You, too, have a caring heart and your goodness shines through in these photos. Showing Up indeed!
Pamela
Wow. Just wow. So beautifully written.
melanie
As if I didn’t adore you before… You are one amazing person, JTB.
Yvonne Reynolds
Not much we need to love on these children! What a special moment that you have now met your sponsored child, not many people have the opportunity to do that! I pray you are open to the many more opportunities that God will show His plan for your time in Uganda.
Christine
I cried reading this. Glorious. I love the sentiments about not needing much.
I also laughed at the cat photos. As per usual.
Lisa
Thanks for joining God’s work here in Uganda! I love living in this country! golisaobrien.com
Stephie @ EYHO
I just love this. Didn’t think I could love you more, but I was wrong.
Cherie
How wonderful :) So impressed with you and happy for you all at once
Terri A
It’s amazing to meet them, isn’t it? Your heart will never be the same. Gloria is beautiful. And, I’m sure she’d live to learn Hey, Girl in English!
ERIKA
Beautiful…..Praying….God bless
livinginpurpose
Joy, How exciting for you that you are stepping outside your comfort zone to “show-up”. We have been blessed immeasureably in our culture, and to experience, if only for a minute how much of the world lives, is a real jolt, particularly when you consider over 80% of the world lives under the poverty line. The real challenge came for me when I returned home to beautiful northern CA, and had to figure out how I could instill more purpose and meaning within my own cultural context, and operate through my blessings and talents. Now over 10 years later, I still spend a lot of time in underdeveloped economies, but have been able to apply my skills and gifts in practical ways within our culture that work to apply transformational techiniques within lives, that only through circumstance are not as blessed as my own (materially speaking) Charge on girl!
Mary Hirsch
This is amazing and the fact that you can describe it so well is even more amazing. Have a wonderful time, give the love, and keep telling us about it.
salvagesista
We went to the Compassion International Headquarters and were so moved by the organization.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I just love this, thank you for sharing such precious photos. So wish you could bake a pie with Gloria!
Joe(y)
Joy!!! This is so inspiring and beautiful on a gazillion different levels. Thank you for sharing this and, well – being you!!
Katy
I really, truly loved reading this. Travelling is such an experience, exciting and scary all at the same time. I’m so glad you have enjoying this opportunity so.
ozjane
Lovely to be able to see your compassion child. Mine is in the Philippines and while my only travel outside Australia was a month in Manilla in ’75, I knew nothing of Compassion Projects then. I have so loved having my child in my life and regret that physically I can no longer get to see her. I am due to write so that is on the agenda for today,.
Aimee Wimbush-Bourque
This was amazing to see through your eyes, Joy. Don’t I have plenty of security blankets and routines that often get in the way… Thanks for being an inspiration and letting your light shine.
Gloria is positively angelic. She is blessed to have you as a sponsor, crazy cat lady and all.
Lynn @ The Actor's Diet
Heart-warming, Joy! Not sure if you’re taking Malarone for the Malaria prevention but FYI they give you crazy-ass dreams. We called them “Malarone Dreams” when we were in Botswana (which you can sing to the tune of Billy Ocean’s “Caribou Queen” for fun). Enjoy yourself.
Jenn
Wonderful! So happy you met your sweet girl! Praying you through this amazing week…
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
This is speaking to my heart dear Joy, I love love love your words. Hug sweet Gloria for all of us!
Amy Powell (@amyrenepowell)
what a great experience! hope you have a great time for the rest of your stay.
emily freeman
Hearing your voice as I read this is the best part – and that little Gloria Hope? What a light, that one. Loved having a front row seat for that today.
mallory
Two years ago, I spent 3 months in Mali and traveled to several small villages where I befriended the girls that lived there. They were so touching, so strong and so beautiful. I am so happy that you have had the experience of meeting and being inspired by such people. It is TRULY a gift.
Anne's Kitchen
Amazing Joy, such a great thing to do, and I love that you got to meet Gloria Hope in person. Joy and Hope, what an awesome team!
Mary @ flavorrd
Incredible, so beautiful. It’s all about love!
tracy shutterbean
What an AMAZING experience. I am so proud of you… as I type this with tears on my face. That picture of you about to hug Gloria Hope made me choke up. SO BEAUTIFUL. Love you/miss you!
carrie@bakeaholicmama
I was teary reading this. What an amazing trip you are on. You inspired me to sponsor a child in Uganda as well. Thank you <3
Tsh Oxenreider
Joy. Oh, Joy, Joy, Joy. I’m SO glad you’re there. Really, like so glad. Can’t wait to talk about it in person someday. It changes you. And I’m so glad you’re willing to use your online space like this for a few days.
Love you, sister!
Simone Anne
Oh my! So so loving these Uganda posts. I’m heading there in March & am defffff feeling the security blanket. So excited & so nervous at the same time. Cannot wait to read more! xx
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies
It does take a leap of faith to start sponsoring, but I assure you that it is all so worth it! I was initially concerned when we took on our first child in 2009. Almost instantly, I fell so in love and since then our Compassion family has grown and grown. Currently we have 18 Compassion children in our family, plus one who is no longer in the program. Our daughter in Uganda recently had a baby and named her child after me and my husband, which is a testimony to how incredible these relationships can truly be if you invest time for regular letters.
Looking forward to reading more posts from this trip! I was so sad to have to decline the invitation to join the bloggers this time around!
Stoich91
Tears. Crying. All over the place. The happiness you spread is unbelievable. Thanks for being a light and sharing their light, too!
Jen -BeautyandBedlam (@beautyandbedlam)
I remember that moment when I met our sponsor child in Peru. Such an amazing realization to completely wrap our brain around the fact, that it is about so much more than just sending a few dollars every month, but that that money is literally changing their life, their family’s lives, their entire family tree.
So thrilled that you are letting us catch a glimpse through your perspective. Thank you. Thank you! :)
lizytishknits
Oh – tears! What a beautiful post about throwing away your comforts and securities, and embracing your experience by sharing your compassion. Thanks for writing about it..