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.
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