Highlights of the Last Couple Weeks

I’m sitting here in the lounge of my hall. It’s cold and pouring outside and about 5 minutes ago it was so hot and sunny. I just got back from spending the morning and afternoon with Lynn, one of the basketball players I’ve connected with. I went over this morning and sat with her as she washed her laundry at her hostel. Then we walked to another place she stays and made me lunch. It was a great time of laughter, dancing (yes, this has become a daily part of my life), and great conversation. While we didn’t get a lot of time to spend together like today, I am very thankful for moments like this that the Lord gives us.

Here is an update of what I have been doing the last few weeks:

Gulu and Child Voice International.

Two weekends ago a group of us went to Gulu in Northern Uganda to visit some ministries there. Until 2006, Northern Uganda was a war torn area. The LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), a group of rebels, were savaging the North killing people, destroying villages, and ruining lives. The LRA is led by Joseph Kony, who is from Gulu and the war is against the Ugandan government. The LRA is accused of widespread human rights violations, including murder, abduction, mutilation, sexual enslavement of women and children and forcing children to participate in hostilities. Thousands of children have been taken as child soldiers. Kony is a very spiritual man, and there is a lot of demonic power behind what he is doing. He is no longer in Northern Uganda, but has moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. I encourage you to read more about Joseph Kony and the injustice that is taking place at his hand.

Anyways, Child Voice International is the main ministry we went to and stayed at. Child Voice works with child mothers between the ages of 14-18, who were wives of LRA soldiers.. Many of them had been in the Bush since they were young, when they were kidnapped by the LRA. Now after many years, these girls come out of the Bush, either by escaping or being rescued, they have a child and no place to return to. They have no skills that are basic to life in Uganda, such as gardening, cooking, raising children, and keeping a home. On top of that, they have serious posttraumatic stress disorder, and because of the nature of the LRA, many of them are demon possessed.

Child Voice intervenes by taking a group of about 15 girls, along with their children, in at a time. It is a 20-month program This is the essence of what Child Voice does is to help girls redefine their identity as a daughter of the King. Through counseling, both Christian and psychological, these girls are able to redefine their identities. When they get out of the bush, they are defined by their experience as a wife of one of the LRA commanders. They are defiled. They are with child. Their memory defines them, so they need a way to remember themselves differently. Child Voice helps them find their transformed identity in Christ and engage with other believers in the body. They teach them basic life skills, as well as vocational training in cosmetology, tailoring, baking, and bead making. They teach the girls how to tend to a garden and care for their children. A lot of their therapy comes from time in the word, dancing (which is so much fun to experience), and learning how to live in community together. The transformation that takes place in these girls is amazing.

As we got there late Friday night, I felt incredible excitement as I watched these girls dance with an indescribable joy. I felt incredible excitement as I listened to Nicholas tell us about the ministry and counseling that they are doing for these child mothers. I felt an excitement that words cannot describe because restoration is taking place and these women are getting new identities. I was in my element. I don’t know what these means for my future, but I know that the model Child Voice uses is the kind of model I want to work with some day.

Safari: Murchison Falls National Park.

Last weekend 20 of us went on a Safari. It was such a relaxing weekend, with AWESOME conversation, and wonderful company. A lot of the IMME students went (the group who lives in homes the whole semester), which was so much fun because we don’t get to spend a ton of time with them.

My favorite part of the safari was sitting on top of the land cruisers, while driving through the savannah, with the wind in my face and having great conversations. Apart from that, we had an elephant charge our vehicle, we saw about 16 giraffes up close, and we saw a family of lions go for a hunt. Mufasa had only three legs, but Simba held his on to get food for his father. We spent about 9.5 hours out on our safari, got a lot of sun, and were amazed at the beauty of God’s creation. It was a great experience.

Farewell Party.

Last night we had our Honor’s College Farewell party. It was for the USP students and the Honor’s College students who are graduating. Parties in Uganda are a big deal. Lots of speeches. Lots of food. Lots of pictures. And the best part…lots of dancing. Ugandans can dance. Two of the guys told me I was actually a good dancer. I told them I had no one has ever complemented me on my dancing before, but I was pretty proud. J The Americans thought I was just spastic. Typical.

But more than the dancing, it was a reminder that our time here is running short. We only have a week and a half in Uganda before we leave for Rwanda. Then we only come back to a resort to debrief. I am finished with classes and only have one exam and one paper left. It’s crazy. It is a strange place to be. I love it here. I love the people I’ve met. I love the relationships that have been built. I love the God I serve, who I have learned so much about. Yet I miss home. But I am committed to living in the present and making the most of what I have before me. Right now, Uganda is before me and my God is faithful to continue to teach me as he has done for the last three months.

Don’t forget to live fully where you are at. Life is full of different seasons. If we don’t embrace the season we are in, it might be gone before we know it. And never forget. Our God is FAITHFUL.