Hey Jude...

Meet Jude.

I met him in the second to last village we went to. We were tired. And hungry. And the things we saw were just plain hard. (I know, woe is me, right??) Then we came to his village, Kabermaido. Anyone (that I know) will tell you that children in Africa are, hands down, the most well-behaved children you will ever see. These were no different. After we got off the bus, they had seats waiting, and the village "director" gave a pretty good speech about what these children need, etc. Then we all introduced ourselves.

Jude sat right in front of me. The whole time, except when he prayed (see above photo), his eyes NEVER left mine. I didn't know what to do. He was older than any child I had connected with on the trip. I waved him over, still unsure what exactly I'd do when he got to me. He stood RIGHT next to me. His tiny leg touching mine.

So, I did what any momma would do, I lifted him up and sat him on my lap. And he didn't move an inch. When the time came for Amy and I to go back to the bus to get the donations, he stood outside the window of the bus and stared at me. His little eyes never left me.

And they still haven't. I see him everywhere. He comes to me in my sleep. I wonder what he's doing in tiny Kabermaido, Uganda, while my children watch "G-Force" and play in the snow.

I pray that he's provided for. That his belly is full. That he knows love. I miss him, wish to see him again someday.

He'll never leave me.