03/19/2026
Today we remember Aron…a giant of a boy who truly fought the good fight.
Aron was just 12 years old, but his courage, his joy, and his quiet strength reached far beyond his years. We first met him in the village at his home when he had just turned 11, bravely showing us the swelling in his knee he thought happened from a fall he had taken some months earlier. We saw that it needed a much deeper study and a biopsy was needed to know what we were dealing with. Diagnosis took a bit of time in Uganda, but eventually we learned it was Osteosarcoma. And from that moment on, Aron faced more than any child should ever have to face.
In September of 2024, his left leg was amputated. And yet—Aron remained Aron. Full of heart. Full of resilience. He never missed a Saturday at Little Lights. He would always tell us it was his favorite day of the week. You would find him playing checkers with Mike, determined and focused to beat his opponent…eventually earning the title of “Checker King” at the Little Lights Showcase of Stars this past October. We’ll never forget his face as he was carried proudly across the stage, wearing his crown. Oh, how he smiled.
Even with only a few words of English, Aron had a way of making us feel like he understood everything. He would smile, nod, and light up a room without saying much at all. And every single child in Little Lights loved him. They protected him, surrounded him, prayed over him, and stood by him.
Tragically, the cancer returned in August 2025, and it had aggressively spread through his remaining leg and had metastasized to his lungs. And once again Aron showed us what courage looks like. We like to remember him then—not in fear—but smiling ear to ear as he set off for Kampala. The big city, full of new experiences…hotels, real beds, restaurants…things that must have felt like a whole new world. Through long hours, endless tests, and difficult days, Aron did not complain. Not once.
In Uganda there are few options for people with such aggressive cancers. For Aron, there were none.
But Aron was never alone.
One City’s Silver Mukhama walked closely with Aron—translating, visiting, checking on him, transporting him back and forth to town as needed, transporting him to Little Lights…. making sure he was never forgotten, never alone. He went the extra mile—literally—to be present in Aron’s life, many times a week, especially in these past months when we could not be there. Aron surely knew he was loved.
Then there is Jimmy. He spent time sharing his love of music with Aron...and dancing! We know they had some good laughs together.
And Kenny…our faithful long-distance driver, his friend…who turned long, hard journeys into moments of care and kindness. A compassionate soul carrying Aron when the roads were too long or the buildings too far. Watching over him every step of the way.
To Dauda and Annette, Aron’s parents…thank you for trusting us with your son. We had hoped and prayed for many more years with Aron. Our hearts are broken with yours.
But today, we also hold onto something deeper than our grief.
Because when we close our eyes, we don’t see sickness. We don’t see pain.
We see Aron—smiling that wide, beautiful smile…running, skipping…whole and free.
He is with Jesus now.
No more pain.
No more suffering.
He is healed. He is whole.
And oh…what a joy it must be to see him run again.
We love what Aron’s U.S. partner, Ranielle, shared about Aron…”Sweet angel on earth, now forever angel in heaven…No need for legs when you have wings.”
The Arons, the Jordans, the Joshuas, the Teddys, the Joels…This is why we do what we do. This is why we ask you to partner with us. Because every new medical team member, every new piece of equipment added to our diagnostic arsenal, means one more child seen…one more diagnosis caught, one more child saved. Thank you, partners, for gifting so many children with longer, healthier lives. Thank you for helping us make Aron's life a little longer, a little happier.
Dear Jesus…
We come to You today with hearts that are both heavy and grateful.
Heavy with grief as we say goodbye to Aron…
and grateful for the gift of his life, his courage, and his beautiful smile that touched us all.
Lord, we thank You for walking with Aron through every step of his journey—for giving him strength in suffering, joy in the midst of pain, and people who loved him deeply.
Today, we trust what You promise…that Aron is with You.
Whole. Healed. Running free.
No more pain, no more tears.
And Father, we lift up Dauda and Annette. Surround them with Your peace that passes understanding. Hold them close in their sorrow. Remind them that Aron’s life mattered, that he was deeply loved, and that he will never be forgotten.
We pray for all of us who knew him—that we would carry Aron’s spirit with us…his resilience, his quiet joy, his ability to smile even in the hardest moments.
And Lord, help us to hold onto hope…
the hope that this is not the end,
the hope that we will see him again.
Until that day, keep us faithful, keep us compassionate, and keep us near to You, and keep us ever strong and passionate to keep fighting for the least of these.
We place Aron into Your loving arms.
In Jesus’ name,
Amina
