I firmly believe it is the relationships we build in life that allow us to have the biggest impact and actually make our lives more “full” than any accumulation of material possessions ever could. As my time wound down in Uganda I was able to work on growing four key relationships we have developed through our work there the past 5 years. Much of this discussion focused on business opportunities like growing chilies and teff, distributing honey, and of course increasing the yield on our amaranth farm. However, in each conversation there was a connectedness because we shared a common vision for bigger impact. Yes, the business strategy is necessary and critical but in each meeting there was a sense that the work was simply a means through which we could transform lives. I’m grateful God has brought us like-minded individuals to work with in Uganda and my hope is we can develop and grow these projects to create jobs and grow people.
On my last day I also had the privilege of visiting the home of our amaranth project manager, Innocent. His “home” is actually just a single room that is probably not much bigger than the bathrooms many of us have in our homes. It contained very few material possessions because Innocent has chosen to invest in the lives of others, not himself. From the kids who came running to see “uncle” Innocent to the children’s books he had for them to read you could sense his greatest joy came in growing these little minds. As I sat and thought how Innocent was transforming the lives of these kids it gave me a glimpse of the impact we can have through creating jobs for adults. The path we have been on hasn’t always been easy, but the relationships we have built and the experiences God has given us affirm that our vision and work is having an impact. And for me, it was a perfect way to wrap up the week and to “fill” my heart as I head back home.
