uncle Joseph

I believe there is a longing in the hearts of many men to be a father. Some may never have that privilege but maybe they will be able to be an uncle. Personally, I long to be a father and raise up a Godly heritage of warrior boys and virtuous young women. I’ve always wanted to have a large family and to raise my children to honor the Lord and to give their lives as a living sacrifice. Oh what a joyful day that will be when I’m blessed enough to welcome a child into my family and become a daddy. That day seems so far away yet, today, this very day, I am a daddy to many young children.

I’m grateful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to be here in Nigeria and to act as a father to these children. It’s easy to feel so inadequate and so unworthy to be able to be a part of their lives. What do you say to them? How do you treat them? How can I relate to them? What can I possibly do to help them?

I have no idea what it’s like to be an orphan. I don’t know what it is like to have my life in danger by my own family. I’ve never lived under a bridge or on the streets. I’ve always had running water, electricity, a comfortable bed and a loving family. I’ve never even entertained the thought of my parents getting rid of me. I’ve never had to go days without food or water. I’ve never had to beg for money. I’ve never cried myself to sleep for days and days and days. I don’t know what its like to lose my mother AND my father. I’ve never been in the shoes of these boys, I’ve never had to face life the way they have.

It all boils down to the fact that; I’ve never been a street boy in the streets on Nigeria…have you?

As much as I long to be a father, I’m excited to be “Uncle Joseph” to 63 boys and 15 girls. The kids call the staff “Auntie and Uncle_______”. I’m probably there tallest uncle they’ve seen in Nigeria. I’m beginning to develop some great relationships with the Nigerian staff and with the boys. This week I spent Tuesday and Thursday night with the boys in their rooms. I walked the 1 hour trek with them to their school. We also piled in a vehicle on the Thursday because someone was going our way. They love it when I try their food and practice my Hausa. They love it when I dive for the soccer ball and run around with them. These boys are beginning to open up more and more each day. They wait to see if I’m for real or not. They’ve already been burned more than once; will I do the same thing to them? Will I leave them, will I hurt them, and can we trust Uncle Joseph?

These are the questions that seem to be running through the minds of my newest nephews and nieces. Hopefully they see that I love them and I came to Nigeria for them.

There seems to be a gap between hope and despair. I’m confident in the fact that only Christ can give them hope; only He can give you hope. Yes, our backgrounds are vastly different but inside we are all the same. We were all created in the image of God. God’s image is on them. God’s image is on you, His image is on me. What a joy it is to be able to see God working in their lives. I hope you can share in this joy as you read this from your homes. Pray that these boys will hope only in the Lord Jesus and nothing else.