The Queen of Katwe : A Road Less Traveled

I finished two books this week while on my three day journey in the Oklahoma Panhandle. These are books purchased with my iTunes card (Christmas present). The first that I will discuss is the title of this blog. Like "Searching for Sugar Man", I heard about this on XM's "Bob Edwards show. He interviewed the writer of "Queen of Katwe" and as the story came to light in my mind, I knew it would be a must read.  The author is a writer for ESPN magazine and tells the story of a girl who grew up in one of the toughest slums of Uganda. To quote NPR's review: "Her days were spent focusing on survival, until she discovered chess. She is now on her way to becoming a world-class chess competitor.

The book had three parts:  Life in Uganda, Sports Outreach, a missionary group that reaches the kids of Uganda through soccer and chess and food, and Phoina Mutesi,the girl from the slums.

Here are a few things to think about: Uganda is the youngest nation in the world.  The average age is 14. Because of ruthless dictators (Idi Amin) and AIDS, the nation is basically fatherless and the men of parenting age  beat and abuse the children. Katwe is a giant slum outside Kampala.  It is huts, shacks and houses.  When a developer wants some land, they just set a controlled fire and burn down the land they want.  The property is in lowlands and floods when it rains. No electricity.  No running water.  No street signs, no addresses. AND those that live in the slums can see No way out.

They asked Phiona early in her story what were her plans for the future.  She was puzzled. Her future was having a meal for the next day!

Her brother was going regularly somewhere each afternoon to play soccer and was being fed.  She followed one day a saw part of the group playing chess. Her life changed.

The book tells the story of her at 12 thru 14 years old rising in chess to become a champion.  You read her thoughts from her diary, you see the faith instilled in her and you will read a GREAT STORY.

You watch this "duck out of water" take her first ride in a car and on a plane. You witness her seeing the weird idea of eating three meals a day instead of one.  The author says that the story would be no different than bringing someone form the 1800's and putting them into the 21st Century. 

This is an amazing story.  It shows how MISSIONS can work.  And most of all:  When I have prayed- Give me this day, may daily bread.- I had NO CLUE what that means.

I would love to say more, but I would love for you to read this book.