Well, the last several weeks have FLOWN by! I could hardly believe it was already October and now it's even almost half way through. I promised an update after my trip into northern Uganda, but the update has been delayed by a number of factors (power and internet access still at the top of the list). So, better late than never....
Northern Uganda
This trip was awesome. It was too short, but impacting none the less. I travelled with a group of 12 people to visit a couple of families in Kitgum and we stayed in a village called Rackoko. We traveled north to visit a family of three of the adopted children of the family with whom I'm currently living (particularly - the mother and sister of one of the 3). This daughter (along with 2 other of the adopted children) escaped the war in the north with her aunt and was brought to Kamapala. She and her cousins lived in the slums with that aunt who was desperately poor and was highly abusive. The three children were rescued from their horrible situation into this family. At the time of her adoption, the aunt had instructed her to lie and say her mother was dead "so that she would be wanted by another family" - very sad, but shortly after coming to live with the family, she broke down crying and said she wanted to visit her mother, who was blind. The family was surprised to hear this truth, but immediately began making plans to connect them and began looking for the mother. This proved highly difficult as families were so scattered from the war and returned to the land that was not their original property when they were able to return from IDP camps. The great news is that in August of this year, a couple of folks traveled north and finally found her mom!! So, we all set out together to visit her family and to take them oxen, a bike, a plow, food, clothing, etc., because this family lives in such horrible poverty and hunger. It was really awesome to go along with them on this trip - and get to see God work in such a powerful way. The mom (and older sister) had been praying to see her daughter again but thought she never would... she lived constantly in prayer about it and felt for the longest time that God wouldn't answer her. And then her daughter showed up!! OH MY - the rejoicing was amazing!! The mom danced and screamed out in an Acholi yell several times (more on that later... but this is really something that norther women do...I'll get more info to share on it some time) to show her rejoicing and appreciation! Tears were flowing and people dancing all around.... village children started showing up through the grasses to see all the happenings. Everyone joined together in discussion and rejoicing and singing, then the gifts were presented (more rejoicing and tears) then the family asked us to stay for a meal. They prepared from their heart - they even killed one of their precious chickens to share with us so we would have meat - chicken, rice, sweet potatoes and malecquon (sp?). It was delicious food and was even more appreciated because of their great sacrifice!
We stayed in a "compound", for lack of a better word, where a school, hospital and rescue shelter was located. I was blessed to get to know Francis and Trudy Odida (they were part of the travelling party) and hear about their lives - they had built this compound, along with many other schools and buildings in the area. Francis is from the Pader district in northern Uganda and Trudy is from Austrailia. They married about 25 years ago and the Lord had them serve the people of the north through the worst years of the war. God saved their lives many times and their stories are incredible. They built countless schools and even today sponsor over 3000 kids for education. They have had provision from the Lord to complete all of it.
There is such horrible poverty in that district (the Pader District is said to be the poorest district in Uganda and, along with Kitgum and Gulu, was where so much of the "war" was happening) and the atrocities that touch almost every family there is still somehow palpable in the air. There is such deep memory of devastation. They are at "peace" at the moment, but the fear lingers and the hunger lingers.... many have returned to "home" or land from the IDP camps, but disputes over property (which is necessary to grow food and survive) are pretty bad since most all of the tribal leaders/council were killed and there is no paperwork to prove ownership. Many still live in the camps and regularly die of hunger and disease - sad that it is still occurring in this day and time of such wealth in so much of the world.
I have recognized how easy it is to sit in comfort and prosperity without a thought about the intense and incredible suffering around the world. I have done it and, sadly, still do - from the security of a house on a hill (or a fancy hotel lobby where I'm typing this).... Seeing some of its effects first-hand cause me shame for my apathy and are incredibly convicting. I cried watching Hotel Rwanda, I cried about the horrible genocide and abuse in Sudan - all with real emotion and a desire that the world change - but Darfur can so easily become just a word that popped out for a while on CNN but isn't so fashionable to keep tabs on. And yes, we can all quickly make judgements about why a people group or country or region is torn apart and innocents killed - but that doesn't help. What do we DO? We can all do more.... I know there is much, much more I can and should do. I pray about whatever is coming next in my life... that it be filled with more action, with sacrifice, with feet in motion.
But, now the rest of the update .... on to: amoebas and other stuff.
I have encountered my first amoeba (well, at least my first BAD kind for my body). Apparently, there are amoebas around here who love to get into your gut (not necessarily through food - often through skin/touch) and cause bad things to happen. Let me tell you.... the treatment is just as bad as the amoeba! So, I'm finished with meds tomorrow and hoping to have normal stomach function soon. Much better now, but gee, it wasn't really all that fun.
The rest of these several weeks between posts have seen some cool stuff... we've gotten a few more children sponsored for school (YEAH!!) and the web content is complete and on its way to the people that really know how to create a website. The team and Ray of Hope is so excited about finally having a website - and we're really hoping this will help drive more sponsorship and donation to them to serve the people in Namuwongo. They are such a committed team - they sacrifice so much and live as quite an example of the love the Lord wants us to show others.
OH - so it wouldn't be a note from me if it didn't include the "if anyone wants to help with something" update... we have about 15 more children to sponsor for school (there are countless others, but I committed to trying to get sponsorship specifically for this current P3 class moving up to P4 in January). Also, there are a number of women who need "sponsorship" for beginning a business. This is donation oriented at the moment, but I'm hoping to get information on possibly connecting with kiva.org to look at micro-lending for them (check out the site - there are a number of entreprenuers around the world who would really be blessed by a micro-loan from you - or check out neverendinghope.org for your donation to fund loans).
That's about it from here. Thanks for reading and for your patience through my rambling!! Hope all are well and blessed - wherever you are.
