Invisible Men

Many of you may know of the movie telling the story of war and child soldiers in Northern Uganda called Invisible Children. We are in the southern part of Uganda and have very little direct impact from Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) here. Or at least, it is hard to see.

Two of our faithful watchmen are from the north. They are both caring, compassionate, strong men who have beautiful families that they love very much. Isn’t it interesting how very little of a person’s story we may actually know?
Both of these men have seen and lived Invisible Children. Just a few weeks ago, I was speaking to one of these men and he told me he had to go for burial for his brother. He then told me that his brother was taken into the Ugandan bush by the LRA rebels 15 years ago, and no one has seen him since. But the family just received word that he has died in the bush. But there will be no body for his family to say goodbye.

The other watchman told his testimony in church some time ago. He was personally taken by the rebels along with his brother. The men who took them made our friend watch his brother be hacked to death. He said he could not even cry because the LRA tortured and killed anyone who cried for anything. He later escaped and was able to return to his home with the news of his brother’s death.

Just telling their stories makes my hands tremble with anger. I cannot fathom even these small parts of their stories. What man is capable of is terrifying.

But these men are redeemed and chose to love because of Jesus. Once my teammate asked, “if you saw Joseph Kony, and had the chance, would you kill him?” He replied with confidence, “no-I could not do that.” These men are teaching me about true forgiveness and love. THAT kind of response to their tragedies can only come from God.

Heart Therapy

Everyday life here at GSF has taken some time for me to appreciate. It took much longer than I had anticipated, actually. Because of my past trips to Kenya (shout out to GP 2005, 2007 and GA team 2006!), I was expecting the highs and the lows of cross cultural experiences; the red lining, and the green lining. But when I arrived in Uganda 5 months ago (can it really be that long?), I felt like I launched right into the red lining and the lows. And I was NOT expecting that.

It is funny how God surprises us. I truly believed that I knew how to handle this trip. But I have been shocked at the difficulties-and the blessings.

God knows me so well. Is anyone else stunned when that happens? I think I have been thirsting to have significant relationships with the people here, and without those relationships, I think inside I was dying from a broken heart. But God knew!
He has given me the opportunity and blessing to get to know some of the people here in Uganda. And those friendships have blessed me more than any other singular thing here. Getting to know and love people here has mended that brokenness I was feeling inside. Sitting and folding laundry with Auntie Christine and Auntie Prisca, peeling matoke with Auntie Betty, mourning the death of Gloria with Auntie Morjorine, laughing with Barbara and Solome. There has been no better therapy for my heart.

But the basic components of this newfound Joy have come from the One who knew I needed those relationships-spending time with the Giver of all those good things. Learning and taking the time to pray for my new friends, worship with singing alongside them, learning about our God together. That has been the true heart-therapy.