Gulu
A quick update on what we’ve been doing. I’m leaving out many of the small things, but here are the highlights.
(November 14)
I’ll start with the radio experience. As I mentioned in our last update, we went going on public radio in Kampala. We met early with the host, and went over some topics in question and answer format. I think Devon and I were a little nervous, since this was a first time experience, but Steve was there to back us up if we got stuck on something. In the end, we felt like it actually went really well. We were on the air from 11:30PM to 12 midnight. The host brought up topics such as how to live a better life, dating, homosexuality, drugs, etc. Devon and I answered most of them as best we could, and Steve backed us up on the rest. We made sure to include Jesus in most of what we said, and were able to pretty much share the gospel by the end of our time. In our closing statement we shared that Jesus is the way, and that He offers a better life than things like sex, drugs, and alcohol. God gave us grace, and all that matters is that we got to share about Him.
(November 15)
Sunday morning the “crew” went to minister at a local church in Entebbe, where we are staying. Devon and I had a few minutes to share some encouragement to them, then Steve preached a sermon. Again, we had a chance to pray for many people afterwards, and I thank God for that opportunity. It had been a while since I had the opportunity to minister in this way, and I felt alive while doing it. God is continuing to stretch us and grow us through these experiences.
(November 16)
On this day the five of us (Steve, Devon, pastor Robert, David, and I) got up early and took the bus ride to Gulu (in northern Uganda). I’m not going to expand too much, but if you have the chance, research the history of Uganda, specifically the northern area. There have been years and years of devastating war, and in this area (Gulu) are many refugee camps, which, thankfully, are now emptying since people are finally returning to their villages. Peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness is happening, but it will be a long process before returning to normal living conditions. If you are familiar with Invisible Children, Gulu is where everything started. Like I said, I won’t go into detail, and I could write pages on what the Acholi people have gone through here, but I highly recommend researching things for yourself. Here’s a link to a short history of the war: http://www.invisiblechildren.com/about/history/. Anyway, let me briefly describe our mission here. Steve, our good friend and missionary from Ephrata, PA, is here to fulfill a call he received from the Lord while preparing to come here for his two week visit. God told him to erect a wooden cross as sign of redemption and peace. He felt he was to erect it in an area that experienced some of the most damage from the war. So we arrived, ready to carry on this mission.
(November 17)
This is the day started pursuing the vision for the cross. We left mid-morning and drove up towards the ex refugee camps on a very rough and very bumpy dirt road (welcome to Africa ha). First, we had to get permission from the officials in charge of the district/area. We arrived at the headquarters, and after about an hour of waiting, met with them and received the go ahead. The officials said some very powerful things about northern Uganda and the people’s desire for peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. He told us to tell the USA that they are ready to move on from war. We got back on the road, and after backtracking a bit, were on our way to our desired destination, Pabbo (at one time the biggest refugee camp in northern Uganda, containing over 60,000 individuals an area of a few square km). These areas include mostly orphans, widows, and the elderly at this point, and most others have moved out. We eventually were able to meet with the local chairman, and we received his blessing to put up the cross in his region! He will work on organizing a gathering for Friday at 9AM, which is when Steve will be fulfilling his, and now our, vision. Pray that God does some amazing things! Today we are buying supplies, tomorrow we build it, Friday we erect it. On this day we were also able to walk around and interact with some of the individuals still remaining. It was moving, and I don’t exactly know how to explain the feeling. It was surreal, really, when I actually thought about where I was and what went on there.
There is much more I wanted to say and expand on, but my time is almost up here at the internet cafe. God is doing a lot in our hearts and lives right now, and I just don’t have time to go into detail. Keep praying for us. It’s not always fun and games here, that’s for sure. But I love every minute of everything.
Thanks to those who continue reading, even though you may be few! God bless.
