This is (not) Africa.

It’s hard to know where to begin filling you in on our trip to Uganda. We had a wonderful trip and got to spend an entire week loving on some really special kiddos at Restoration Gateway. Teaching basketball skills is not something I’d ever expected to see on my resume, having only ever played one season in the fifth grade and finding out I have practically zero ball-handling skills and even worse shooting skills. However, thanks to Doug and Brent who knew the drills and what order to teach them in, we were able to pull off a successful camp and the kids actually came away with some new tricks in the bag. More on that later (or maybe not), but for now I want to tell you about Restoration Gateway. 

There is a popular saying when in Africa that is the explanation for any and every oddity you may encounter while visiting. “This is Africa.”  However, most days during our trip I found myself saying, “this is NOT Africa.”  This place is an oasis in the middle of a sick, hungry, hurting, dirty and somewhat scary continent. Restoration Gateway (or RG) was God’s idea which has been carried out faithfully by Dr. Tim and Janice McCall of Waco, Texas, for the past 4 years. It is a vision that aims to bring the reality of the Kingdom of God to the orphans and oppressed people of Uganda.  Functioning as a small village, RG is home to 71 orphans (and counting) and many other staff and missionaries throughout the year. They have an abundant supply of fresh well water which is safe even for Mzungus (us white folk) to drink untreated and they grow almost all of their own produce onsite. Every person there has access to shelter, clothing, shoes, education and medical care. Every orphan lives in a house with 7 other children and a house mom (or “auntie”) who loves them and trains them in how to carry out important household jobs such as cooking, cleaning, and loving one another. They have a playground, an enclosed gymnasium, a school and are in very close proximity to the powerful Nile River.  

Although each child there has already experienced crisis and loss, they are now part of a loving and caring family who will teach them how to follow Jesus and trust Him with their every need, how to be a functioning member of a family and a community, how to use their knowledge and resources to make a difference in their world, and how to foster physical and spiritual restoration among the people of war-torn Uganda. This place is a gem, and is set apart for God’s purpose in healing Africa. This is not (yet) Africa.