Gabriel's Roof

Gabriel is one of the Ugandan men who serve Mercy Uganda. His primary area of focus is as a field manager for Karamoja, one of the remote villages I’ll be visiting in September. Gabriel was orphaned at a young age as the result of a very bizarre incident. Despite having been shuffled around quite a bit (including having lived with Kefa Sempangi for a time), Gabriel has a deep love for the Lord.

He works, when he is called, in design and construction but this is not a typical 9-5 job. Gabriel gets work only when there is work to be had. In June, I told you about the foundation he laid for his house in Kawuku. It’s pretty unusual to own property and a home, particularly without regular employment. But I believe the tenacity Gabriel developed as an orphan compelled him to begin this seemingly impossible project. With the gifts left for him following the June mission trip, Gabriel began building the walls for that small house.

“Helping the poor.” This is the answer I get from Gabriel when I ask what his typical day is like. For clarification, Gabriel said that helping the poor means he does “some little thing that needs doing.” Helping the poor…when is the last time I spent my free time helping the poor or even doing “some little thing” that needs doing?

Building a small house in Uganda is cheap by American standards; Gabriel once estimated the cost to be under $5,000. Before he can proceed, though, those new walls on his house need a roof. The roof is also the most expensive part of the construction because it’s not made from the dust of the ground as are the bricks and cement that make up the majority of the construction. About $2,500 will secure the metal roof needed to protect the family that will one day live inside this house.

As I learned from the Susan G. Komen fundraising efforts, every little bit from a lot of people in the community makes a big difference. It will take 45% of the Ugandan population 4 years to earn $2,500. Four years… Here is an opportunity for us to do “some little thing” for this man who gives so much of his time (and his money) to the community in the name of Jesus. Press the donate button to give toward Gabriel’s roof.