I’ve written before about our ministry to the mothers and parents of the children we treat at the CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda. It occurred to me this morning, as I watched our staff and about 20 of our parents dance, praise, and worship together, that the uniqueness and importance of the spiritual center of excellence at a CURE hospital is as significant as the medical breakthroughs and our quality of care.

Often times, I think Americans see an African child and, although they’re barefoot, they’re smiling, so they must be happy. We misinterpret the simpleness of village life for contentment and happiness. However, for most, life in rural (and urban) Africa is a dark place. Children are sacrificed and abused. Women are routinely beaten and abandoned. Local leaders, even pastors, extort and enrich themselves. Corruption is pervasive, a way of life.

On this rainy Wednesday morning, I watched a group of 50 Ugandans, from all corners of the country, take turns showing the others a dance from their own tribe, something unique to them, all set to local praise and worship songs. In a place where tribalism reigns, where the tribe you come from is more important than nationality, there was a true sense of joy and unity on the faces of our staff and these families. A CURE hospital is often the only place, even in a country plentiful with churches, where people see firsthand the body of Christ. For the few days that these fathers and mothers are with us, they are welcomed with dignity, respect and sincere compassion.

It may be dark out there, but a CURE hospital is a haven, an oasis, a spiritual center of excellence where the body of Christ is exemplified.