Emboko

Here is a Luganda lesson. In fact, this was one of the first words I learned (first in the few that I know...). Emboko. Emboko means 'beautiful'. So many times, the children will be going around saying, “You are emboko!” And then they will go to each person, and state that they are “Emboko”. Talk about a confidence boost! Not only is it encouraging, but they say it with all sincerity!

Over the past few days, we had a large team of Americans here at Redeemer House. I will be honest... I was nervous at first to have so many adults around. I have a tendency to shut down in large crowds of adults. I am so much better with large groups of kids. But these guys bonded with the kids quickly! And I felt like my personality fit in some way with all of theirs, making it easy to stay connected. Friendships were made, and relationships were established. I believe they will last a lifetime. One night, we were waiting for the team to come and join us in prayer. The kids kept coming to me, and sharing every last detail they knew about the team. I ended up sitting on the couch with one of our girls. After ten minutes of talking about the team, she says, “Auntie Mary, mzungus are all so beautiful. But Africans are not.” I had only been half listening before, with my eyes closed and wishing I were asleep. However, that statement caught my attention and broke my heart! I asked her if she thought she was ugly as well, and she said yes. How could such a beautiful girl think she is ugly? I simply cannot comprehend it. I wish I knew where that belief came from, because I would love to stop it from spreading to other beautiful people. I said, “Yes, mzungus are beautiful, but so are Africans! We were all created in the image of God! God is the most beautiful being that has ever been, and when we say that His creations are not beautiful, then we say He is not beautiful. You are beautiful because God created you. No matter where you are from, or what color your skin is, you are beautiful.”

Self confidence is an international issue. Everyone around the world struggles with who they are, and self image comes to play a huge role in that. Without Christ, we will lose the battle of knowing who we are. This world hits us hard with what beauty should look like, but every human being is made in the image of God. His beauty shines brightly through each face, and each personality in every person. This world needs to know that beauty. I am committing myself to that work. I will share the beauty of God with all around, and help others see they are beautiful because God created them. I start with my girl. I pray for her, and will remind her daily that she is beautiful until she believes it, and begins sharing that truth with others.