They have passed. Since coming home from Uganda, I have struggled to figure out why I am here, in this place.
I think back and believe that one of the most important things that I have done, personally and professionally, this entire year, was to purchase, to load and to deliver mosquito nets to the children in Kaihura, on behalf of Embrace Uganda. I would like to go back to that local shopping district in Kampala and do it again and again, to provide nets for more and more children.
It made a significant difference, and it was mine to do.
No other amount of time or money was better spent this year. While working in the clinics in Uganda, I mostly saw children sick with malaria. It is the leading cause of illness in Kaihura and the single most common reason why children miss school due to illness. Prevention through nets is cheap and easy.
These days, here in the US, as a community pediatrician, I spend time having to convince families to vaccinate their children according to schedule against preventable diseases, and many argue and refuse.
I listen to teenagers who don’t care about their education and scuff at their parents’ efforts trying to encourage them to do well in school. I am asked to medicate them to help them do better in school. I am unable to say the things that need to be said about discipline and motivation without drawing fierce expressions of disapproval from frustrated parents. Meanwhile, these very children are overindulged with every amenity and gadget available to this culture, beginning at a very young age.
In Uganda, we saw children who are begging for help, holding our hands, or asking us in scribbled notes for financial help for them to be able to continue in school past seventh grade, to be able to learn a skill, or to go to college. Not having a pencil or a note book can keep a primary school student out of school. The equivalent of an Ipod can send a child to secondary school for a semester, including room and board.
I understand the principles upon which this, our, nation was founded, and I realize I can say and write these things because of the freedom, and the education, granted to me in this country. But I wonder if we are not wasting our time and resources, if we cannot return to the next generation of this nation a sense of appreciation and gratefulness for the blessings that we have been given. Meanwhile, wouldn’t we accomplish more giving to those who really want our help?
I am encouraged by the youth on our team to Uganda this past June, and by the support that we were able to receive to take resources with us to the children of Uganda. These are signs of hope, and some of these youth may go on to do world-changing things because of how they were impacted by what they saw in Africa.
Will I be able to find peace of mind simply by remaining here and continuing on in the way things were? Will I look back one day, knowing that I did the best to live a life full of days of significance? Did I make a difference?
”God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”
Often quoted, often true and important to remember; but often, we dwell on the things that we think we cannot change, having decided in our own “wisdom”.
After Uganda, I believe that for many of us in this part of the world, that there are more things that we can change rather than things that we cannot change, and that it takes not only courage, but also willingness.
May we be good listeners as God will continue to share His wisdom with us.
Dirk Hamp
You are my hero. I love you with all my heart and I am standing beside you – always here, always.
Dirk, Paige, Emma, Evan, Daniel, and Jane,
I am so grateful to be part of the story. I’m amazed by what God is orchestrating and doing through willing people. That realization raises the question, “Why are we amazed at the wonders of our God?” It is truly when we “leap” in faith rather than “step out” in faith that He has our complete trust. When one “steps out” in faith there is always the occasion to turn back. When one “leaps” off of a cliff there is no turning back. God smiles when we leap. He knows He owns “all” of who we are and we know it too.
Your courage and heart are like those spoken of in Haggai. A little book of four sermons with a big impact on two leaders and a remnant of people. You are like the leaders in verse 1:12 and 14 whose spirits were stirred by the Lord. Together with a remnant of people who were willing to serve and build, they created a place where God’s presence could abide among His people again. A foretelling image of when His Spirit would abide in His temple (us) to take His presence to the uttermost places of the earth. We are designed to take His glory, all of His attributes and characteristics down every path He leads us on. Now, when I walk the streets in my neighborhood, I long for the paths we walked in Kaihura.
Note chapter 1:6-11 which was the rebuke that Haggai had to present first. The selfishness and the dissatisfaction spoken about in these verses are certainly the message you are sending to our nation, one community at a time. “Consider your ways”. Ecclesiastes 1:9 “So there is nothing new under the sun.” People who look after their own worldly homes and goods more than spending time in His presence will only change when they hear the message and the Holy Spirit stirs them to change. I want to encourage you to “not grow weary in well doing” when you are tempted to think no one is listening.
I enjoyed Michael’s blog and was encouraged by his words to the team. I am overjoyed that the village will be welcoming the next team on the 2nd. They are in for a treat. Truly there is no denying the glory and presence of the Lord is abiding in Kaihura.
Haggai-Only 2 pages but a book worth reading.
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
Dear Dr. Hamp,
You were the best pediatrician to ever grace Paris TN with your presence!!! Closely followed by Dr. Juric. You were both of my boys, Brandon and Dawson’s pediatrician..We MISS you so much. I am so proud of you for what you are doing. Congrats on your BIG family. You are all in my prayers!!
Staci Redden Charles
You are probably a very busy man. Thank you for taking the time to write this post. My son and husband will be joining a team this summer. To have this prequel to their own experience is helpful. We have some dear friends who really are more like family and their children were forever changed by the experience in Uganda – one is going back for a third time this summer.