in the studio :: unselfish, brave love

Welcome to In The Studio, a place to show off your studio and meet some great artists! I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. We sure did. Even though we’re not in the states, Thanksgiving is one of those holidays you just can’t miss. 🙂 On to In The Studio… Although I have more Uganda stories to tell, this one will be my last one for In The Studio. You can find all of my Uganda stories here.

Today’s story is about Aisha. Her story is powerful. Some of my favorite photos I took in Uganda were of Aisha and her beauty. The short time I spent with her challenged me. I hope her story challenges you, too.

Aisha looked like the age of a grandmother and yet the whole time she was telling us her story, she was holding and caring tenderly for a small child with a mental handicap. At one point, she stood up from her seat on the floor to go lay the sleeping child down. It wasn’t until I heard her story that I realized how much love this woman had.

Aisha was the first to get sick in her family. When a rash appeared, everyone said it was a sign of HIV. She went to get tested but feared this disease and the prognosis. However, she faced it head on with bravery and didn’t let her HIV positive status keep her from living life and loving. Her husband refused to get tested and soon died, leaving her with nine children to care for.

She was greatly mistreated. Her own mother feared to come around her. She was taken to the village to die and at one point, found herself sleeping with the cattle, because there was no other place. After saying all that, her next sentence was one that surprised me.

“I’m grateful to God for what He has done.”

She didn’t blame God for the lot she got in life. She was thankful for His faithfulness to her. Such power. And the child Aisha so tenderly cared for while telling us her story? The child was brought to her, because she was unwanted by her mother. Aisha, engulfed with the love of God, welcomed the child in and loved her like her own.

It was, it is, extravagant love for this HIV positive grandmother. I want to love like that, with an unselfish love that faces fears with bravery and lives the darkest moments with thankfulness.

Now it’s your turn! Remember your “studio” can be anywhere. Let’s celebrate each other’s creativity by linking up and visiting as many as the other studios as you can. Check out the about post for more info and don’t forget to grab the In The Studio button!