Thank You for Loving Me
By Keith King
As we stepped out of the old white Sisters of Mercy school van and onto the warm, dusty ground of the Ugandan village homestead, we had no idea what awaited us. The midday sun poured generously over the land, bathing everything in golden light, while birds filled the air with songs that felt almost celestial, as if they had been called upon to welcome us.
From the quiet stillness emerged a tall, slender man with dark, weathered skin, clothed in a flowing white gown that gently swayed with each step. His hands were folded humbly before him, his presence calm and reverent. When he reached us, the first words he spoke were both unexpected and unforgettable.
“Thank you for loving me.”
And then he slowly said the words again, “Thank you for loving me.”
His long arms opened wide, and he embraced each of us with a genuine tenderness that felt sacred and divine.
Moments later, his young granddaughter approached us. She was adorned in a vibrant yellow, red, and blue colored African dress that seemed to capture the joy of the land itself. With a radiant smile, she knelt gracefully on both knees, extended her small hand, and shook each of our hands in turn, saying softly, “You’re welcome.” Her thick Ugandan accent only deepened the beauty of the moment, wrapping her words in warmth and sincerity that needed no translation.
Three clay huts with thatched roofs, humble and steadfast, stood quietly in the background actively witnessing this sacred exchange. They felt less like structures and more like symbols – of family, endurance, and faith. We were invited to join the entire extended family in the backyard under a large blossoming mango tree, where love seemed to live freely and abundantly. One by one, family members embraced us, thanked us, and guided us toward a circle of blue plastic chairs waiting beneath the open clear sky.
We sat together and talked, though words often felt unnecessary. Their joy was undeniable – bright, unguarded, and contagious. Though living in extreme poverty, their faces glowed of peace, and their spirits overflowed with gratitude and love. Having little in material possessions, they were rich in faith, fully reliant upon God for their daily needs. The love of God lived visibly within them, and we could physically feel the presence of His Spirit moving among us, filling the space in between each of our breaths.
Again and again, they thanked us. Yet with every embrace and every smile, it became clearer and more evident that we were the ones receiving the greater gift. Through their humility and faith, they revealed what it truly means to rely on God – to trust Him fully, to love Him deeply, and to rejoice in His provision no matter what the circumstances.
When we left, our hearts were fuller than when we arrived. We carried with us a renewed appreciation and profound gratitude – for God, for His love, for His mercy, and for the quiet yet powerful ways He reveals Himself to us through others.
Thank you God.
Thank you for loving me.
Pictured (Left to Right): Kathy McGill, Faustine Oyera, and Lakmé Kodros. Faustine Oyera is the catechist for the prison in Soroti, Uganda, and pen pals with Lakmé Kodros.