Rebellion, Abduction and Reconciliation

Below is the story of one of our students at Beacon of Hope.  His story brought me to tears.  In the early 2000's, Uganda was a very war-torn country.  His is one of many stories that have changed the face of this country.  A country filled with young and old who have been scarred, both physically and emotionally, by war, civil conflict and unrest.  Note: when he mentions Primary Two he was around 7 or 8 years old.

THE DISGRACE THAT OUR FAMILY FACED DURING THE YEAR OF WAR IN NORTHERN UGANDA

                One day, at dawn, in the year 2000 my parents woke me up to go to the garden.  Unfortunately as we were in the garden the place became shrouded with mist.  Little did we know that the rebels were amidst us and all we could hear was “hoes down” from the rebels.  I was scared and frightened because the attack was upon us.  I felt like breathing my last breath before any pain was inflicted on me.  As they were tying the rope around our waist, I was completely at sea because I could not guess what would happen next.  Lucky enough, my mother was pregnant and they told her to “eff off” but to remain at home.  Me and my elder brother were captured together with our father (3 people from our family) and taken deep in the bush up to a place called “ATOO” Hill where the rebels were camping in “Acholi land.”  Though I tried my hardest to escape, it did not work out because I was under so much pressure and I could not figure out a plan.

                In the bush we were living in misery in such a way that every day, very early in the morning, we were sent in the cold to the top of a hill to carry stones.  The aim was to train us to be the upcoming soldiers (rebels) to overthrow the government.  Though I was my own master, I did not make merry with the other soldiers.  I had to endure the situation with my brother and our father.  My father was beaten with a panga (machete) and wire lock because they had no interest in the old men, only the young and able ones.  My father had pity on me whenever I was badly treated, but whenever he said anything he would be whipped beyond measure.  Since we were at the mercy of the rebels, we all petered out and the human rights and control went out the window.  The situation became worse for us staying in the bush.  We could only keep the wolf from the door for so long.  We failed to have any medicine.  We only had feelings of melting away from the bush and being back home.  But we lacked power. 

“I think I am no longer in the zone of living,” my father said to me in a cool voice one day.  But I did not understand at the time, but I got it later and after his message my tension dropped away.  This happened after one to two years of staying in the bush.  Though he told me so, but nothing happened and we had to acclimatize to the environment as we needed to forget of our memories of home.

                In approximately two to three years in the bush, we shifted from Atoo Hill in Acholi land towards Sudan in an undetermined distance.  This was due to the pressure from Uganda Peoples Defence Force.  During the journey, we the young ones, were made to carry food stuffs and the old men and women were made to carry weapons, until we settled in the forest in Sudan.  At our settlement food became a bigger problem for us to the point we started to feed on plant leaves.  It was difficult for us.  The troop leader, together with the team, decided to make a u-turn after 3 months stay in the forest to go back to Atoo Hill, in Uganda, where we had settled before.  We settled in the bush was for only short times at any point, so movement became continuous and my legs got swollen to the extent that I could move no more.  I was carried by the rebels, but I did not know their point of interest in me.

                Despite us passing over dangerous animals, for example snakes, none but God was protecting us in the bush.  Immediately after our return to Atoo Hill I was made an escort to one of the commanders called “Sam Koho”, but I was not with him full time.  Two months into my third year in the bush I was assigned to spy and do a job “by all means without failure.”

                On my return, I was not in contact with my father.  “You will see me no more,” he whispered to me one day during troop count.  I did not understand him well, but I remembered later on after he had already left with my brother.  I felt devastated, though my friends tried to comfort me and told me not to worry.  My father and brother had left me in a dilemma.  I was dazed because I had nothing to hold on to.  I wanted to escape and see my parents but I had no hope of seeing them alive again.  I could not account for the reasons as to why my father left me in the bush.  This was such a disgrace to me.  Since an escape was just like committing suicide, I remained steadfast in the absence of my parents.  The rebels could not tell whether my father was in camp or not because the civilian counts (the abducted ones) happened on the third week of every month and were changing constantly.

                Two weeks after my father and brother’s escape, I was told to start a secret mission. I was accompanied by three bush-minded men to keep an eye on me.  I had to get used to the environment and start working as a rebel.  I was forced to kill human beings in the period of my missions, but I could not abide by this.  I feared I would be killed after my failure to follow through on my instructions.  In my mission, I was told to move in various towns in Northern Uganda like Gulu, Lira, Apach, Pader, Kitgum and many others.  I was told to capture the able ones to increase the number of soldiers (rebels) during my time in action.  It was difficult and I had to do it by force.  I was also forced to go and burn one of the radio stations in Lira, which I did successfully.  Feeling positive, I took back the report on how the mission went.  My boss was so pleased with me that he gave me permission to live freely in the bush.  Even though I thought about escape I could not break the guard and trust of my new friends.

                One day I was sent to go and spy in Gulu and on my way, all of a sudden, I met a troop of government soldiers (Uganda Peoples Defense Force) in the place called “opit in Gulu district.”  When they saw me from a far, they laid an ambush along the road I used to follow.  They trapped me, questioned me, and finally I was beaten until I was in a coma.  They thought I was dead because I took 32 hours to recover.  I recovered in the police barrack.  Immediately after my recovery they bathed me, fed me and then transferred me from the police barracks to a Rehabilitation Center in Gulu.  It was called Gusco.  This happened after my third day in the barracks.

                In Gusco I was kept for three to four months.  They told me that they were refreshing my mind to be stress free and at the end of my four month stay in Gusco, they took me to the radio station called Radio Mega in Gulu to make a communication to my fellow friends in the bush to come back home.  I also communicated to my parents to come for me and after a week, I saw my brother coming to pick me up and I was so happy.

                My abduction happened when I was in Primary Two.  When I reached home I did not give up on my education.  I went on with further study from Primary Three, but sadly in Primary Five my father died because he was weak.  In Primary Seven my mother died of stress.  I became stuck because my brother was alone and could not pay for my studies.  Though I was eager about schooling I had to give up my studies after my Primary Leaving Exam.

                One year later when I was almost ready to give up completely on the hope of more schooling, a man I did not know came to me and gave me a message about an organization who was sponsoring abducted children.  I realized later that he was a Pilgrim Africa coordinator for Northern Uganda.  The time for the interview came and I met this man again while I was interviewing.  I passed the interview and Pilgrim Africa restored my hopes in 2009 by giving me sponsorship to their school, Beacon of Hope Secondary School.

                May God Bless Pilgrim Africa.

Murchison Falls National Park

When we moved to Uganda we knew we wanted to take a Safari.  We didn't know how or where, but that was on the bucket list of things to experience while in Africa.  After a little research we opted for Murchison Falls National Park.  It is several hours away and the largest park in Uganda.  Friends of ours had visited this park a few weeks earlier, so we knew we were in for a treat when we saw their pictures.

The whole experience far exceeded our expectations.  I did a small Safari several years ago when I visited Malawi.  This was a totally different experience.  Being able to take in the wonders of an animal's natural habitat, without gates and borders, was incredible.  As well as experiencing it through the ooh's and ahh's of a 5 year old made the trip even more spectacular.

We left for Murchison Falls Wednesday morning, with a little stop in Lira for a delicious breakfast at Sankofa Cafe.  This place is an absolute treat as we don't have anything comparable in Soroti.  After a filling breakfast we made the 3.5 hour trek north-west to Murchison.  Our original plan was to check into our lodge, then hit the game park.  However we arrived later than hoped and decided to head straight for the park...and we are so glad we did.

Within 2 minutes of being in the park we saw our 1st elephant.  I was so shocked that my exclamation startled Marc and he slammed the brakes on.  We quickly decided we needed to agree on a way to point out the animals that wasn't going to startle our driver every time!

We had about 2 hours to drive around in the park before it got dark.  At one point, Spencer pointed out an elephant and as we turned a corner we quickly realized it wasn't 1 elephant but a whole herd.  We were not prepared for that!  It was beyond incredible to see 30 elephants all together.  In that same moment we also realized how small our car was and decided not to take any chances with these wild (and ginormous) beasts who were only feet away.

We left the park around 6pm and went to find our lodge.  We booked 2 nights at Fort Murchison Lodge.  This place is incredible.  We were the only guests and were treated like royalty.  The food was amazing.  Flavors we haven't tasted for months. Though the beds were rock hard (and I mean rock hard...think sleeping on a table and you get the experience), the room and water pressure for showers was excellent.

The next morning we left the lodge early to get in a few hours of touring the park before taking a Nile River tour.  We were shocked to be driving just minutes from the lodge when we stumbled upon 3 elephants.  It was a very quick reminder that we were in their domain.  No gates or fences to keep the animals in at night.

While driving through the park to head to our boat tour we came across 3 giraffes just eating along the side of the road.  They were stunning.  Tall.  Graceful.  Majestic.  And 10 feet away.

The boat ride down the Nile was hot!  We put on our life jackets and settled into a 3 hour tour of the Nile, that would take us to Murchison Falls and back again.  Hippos are my absolute favorite animal and we saw countless schools of hippos.  They were everywhere.  Hearing them communicate and snort and then dip under water was beyond words.  Hippos don't swim.  They walk along the bottom of the lake/river.  They can also hold their breath for up to 6 minutes.  They tend to only be aggressive if they feel threatened.  Our tour guide gave a wide berth to the momma hippos and their babies.

After 3 hot and exhausting hours in the sun, we finished our tour and took a short break at Paraa Lodge.  This place is located within the park and is a sight to behold.  The kids kept saying, "this place is fancy!"  Chips (french fries) and ice cream in our bellies we loaded back into the car to enjoy a few final hours in the park.

On our way out of the park, we came across the same herd of elephants.  Still breath-taking, but this time we were a little worried.  They were on the road and this was our only route out.  We didn't want to be too close so we stayed back and waited until about half the herd crossed the road.  At that point we saw our opportunity and took it.  Camera down, a quick prayer and Marc gunned it through the herd.  One big bull got a little spooked but thankfully ran away from us, rather than charge at us.  We breathed a little easier as we put some distance between us and the herd.

We enjoyed our final evening at Fort Murchison.  It rained all night and into the morning, so the temperatures were much cooler.  However this also created a bit of a problem when we left as the road out was muddy and filled with small lakes of water.  At one point we actually were run off the road by a large work truck.  Thankfully the guys inside hopped out and pushed us out of the mega mud pit we found ourselves in.

The trip home was a success, once we got off the side road that the Lodge was located on.  We stopped in a small town called Packwach and picked up some hand carved wooden treasures to bring home.  We completed our trip with a stop in Lira to take in Sankofa Cafe.  The pizza was perfect.  Tasted just like home.

Speaking of home...as I sit and write this blog post I am mindful of the fact that we have approximately 2 weeks left in Soroti and only 3 weeks left in Uganda.  I am feeling so blessed and thankful that my family had the opportunity to do a Safari while we served here.

Beacon of Hope gets a Face Lift

As an educator I feel very passionate about the learning environment for both teachers and students. When we arrived in December I was a little (ok, a lot) surprised by how run down Beacon of Hope Secondary School looked.  I knew that great things were happening at this school and lives were being completely transformed...but the outward appearance of this school did not reflect the nature of what was happening.

We are so pleased that our fundraising efforts before leaving the US, and the continuous and generous support of many friends, enabled us to address the look of the school and give it a face lift.

Before painting

Outside the classroom block

Inside, back wall, of a classroom

Wait, she's very cute, but too young to be a student at Beacon

Front of a typical classroom

During Painting

 

Classes continued outside while classroom were being painted inside

Finished product...looks great!

Administration block

Freshly painted interior classroom

Do you agree that the fresh coat of paint looks spectacular?  When I spoke with students and teachers it was so encouraging to see their faces brighten as they talked about how great the school looked and how proud they are of their environment.  A little paint goes A LONG way.

Give the Gift of Dignity...a smashing success

I just want to say THANK YOU!  By supporting my family through prayers and financial gifts, I am here in Africa and had the opportunity to help organize this amazing fundraiser.  Thank you for your generosity towards us,

and

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO GAVE TO THE “GIVE THE GIFT OF DIGNITY” CAMPAIGN.

Last month we did an online campaign to raise money to purchase needed personal care items for the young men and women at Beacon of Hope College.  We had a donor who was willing to match gifts totaling $1500.  I am so happy to report that we far exceeded our goal of raising $1500 for the match, and instead raised $2730.  Awesome awesome awesome!

I was able to participate in the purchase of these items in town and then the distribution of items to the students.  It took two trips in the truck to haul all of the goods back to the school.  In total we were able to purchase:

• 426 packages of sanitary napkins/pads
• 2172 bars of laundry soap
• 1086 bars of personal body soap
• 350 toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste

·   

"back alley" where we purchased the boxes of soap 

Load #1...laundry soap

Warden Patrick, myself, Andrea and Matron Edith

Each student will receive over the course of the year: 6 bars
of laundry soap, 3 bars of body soap, 1 box of toothpaste
with a toothbrush and for the ladies 3 packages of sanitary
napkins/pads.

Many many smiles that day

This was my favorite day in Africa so far!

Personal care items in the hands of fantastic ladies

Give the Gift of Dignity

Greetings from Soroti, Uganda!

We have been busy with various projects here in Soroti and at our high school Beacon of Hope.  Marc has also been very busy with meeting local church leadership in hopes of creating a partnership on Malaria projects. 

I’m writing today to present an opportunity to meet a very real and present need for many of our students at Beacon.

The students at Beacon of Hope School here in Soroti, Uganda are an amazing group.  These young women and men are always smiling, full of energy, extremely motivated, and very hardworking.  They are focused on making a brighter future for themselves and their nation through education, despite the fact that many of them have had to overcome unbelievable hardship and personal trauma to get to this point in their young lives.

This year, the staff has identified a number of students who have come to school without necessary personal care items…these include soap, laundry detergent (the students all hand wash their own laundry on Saturdays), and sanitary pads.  Because of last year's drought, many families in this part of Uganda have suffered economically and could not afford to provide these items for their young scholars. 

In order to meet these needs of approximately 350 students (boys and girls included), we need to raise about $3,000.  We have identified a donor who is willing to match up to $1,500 in order to meet this need, so every dollar you contribute is actually two dollars towards our goal. Your financial support would help provide a student with the gift of dignity and hygiene for the school year.  (If, by the grace of God, we earn more than is needed to cover all of the personal care needs, all additional money will be used to meet other direct needs at the school…think bed nets, indoor residual spraying for mosquitoes, school supplies, etc…) 

We are hoping to raise enough money by March 25th to ensure that these students have what they need to stay healthy, clean, and happy for the remainder of the school year.  Would you consider helping?

To donate online go to the Pilgrim Africa page...

https://www.pilgrimafrica.org/donate/donate-online/

From here, choose the Beacon School option.  (For my Canadian friends…the site doesn’t work as smoothly when entering your address.  But spare not—it will accept your details!)

Thank you so much for your consideration…it really does mean the world to these students!

Want to read more about Beacon?  Here’s the link…

http://www.pilgrimafrica.org/education-for-development/beacon-secondary-school/learn-about-beacon/

An amazing group of young ladies

The girls dorms.  Note they are triple decker bunk beds!

Snack time at school

Curious Kate and the cracked tooth

I guess it’s not really an adventure until you’ve had a medical emergency.  The honest truth is that this was no adventure at all.  This experience tested every ounce of my faith and trust in the one I call Lord.

Last week, my sweet, curious and energetic 3 year old jumped in the pool and somehow managed to hit her chin.  Hard.  So hard that it cracked a molar and chipped a tooth.

We watched it all day and gave her pain meds to help, as it was obvious she was sore.  That night she woke up several times crying out in pain.  By morning her cracked tooth was visibly worse. 

We now knew the tooth was going to need to be taken out.  Ugg.  She’s 3.  We asked some local missionaries about the availability of a dentist in Soroti.  Yes, indeed Soroti does have a dentist, but my missionary friend did not suggest we use him.  His exact words were: “he’s rough.  It will traumatize her.”  SO. NOT. AN. OPTION.  We also consulted a doctor friend in Soroti and he thought the local government hospital would have the equipment necessary.  He would make the call if we wanted.  (Just to insert some background here.  When we first arrived, we were told to NOT go to the government hospital or to EVER take our kids there.  It is extremely unsanitary and would likely expose us to serious illness.)  AGAIN. NOT. AN. OPTION.

It was now Friday morning and we were making quick plans to make an emergency trip to Kampala.  We had to find a clinic that was open on Saturdays, as we knew we would not be able to make the 6+ hour trip to Kampala in time for closing on Friday.  We were given a referral to Jubilee Dental Clinic.  This is where many Muzungus (us white folks) go in Kampala for their dental needs.  Marc called and they were open on Saturday, but booked.  They encouraged us to come early and just wait and hopefully we would be seen.

So that is exactly what we did.  We were seen very quickly and had a consult with the dentist.  He agreed extraction was the route we needed to take.  Then the drama began.  Kate freaked out about the numbing gel.  Not even the needle.  The gel.  We quickly knew this was not going to work.  Even if we did get her numb, she still had to have the needle and then the actual pulling of the tooth.  Could we sedate her? Sure.  But not at this clinic.  BUT THIS IS THE CLINIC THAT 2 DIFFERENT DOCTORS RECOMMENDED. 

Now we had to contact a new clinic.  It was Saturday and we wondered if we would have to wait until Monday for the procedure.  Keep in mind, Kate was hardly eating because her mouth was so sore.  We contacted the clinic and were told to directly contact the anesthesiologist ourselves and arrange with him.  This is not the way things are done in AMERICA.  I started feeling anxious.  We arrived at the clinic and my anxiety did not improve.  By US standards it was in a location we would never visit or take our children to.  Uganda has reminded me “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Most of the store fronts or clinics look like shambles, but the products or services inside are excellent.  We place a lot of value in appearance in the US, and not that this is bad…but in Uganda it certainly causes me to re-evaluate everything.

We met with Kate’s anesthesiologist and booked the surgery for Sunday morning.  Really? Sunday morning.  7:15 am.  I broke out in hives Saturday night as I anticipated what was to come the next day.  Sedation involved an IV.  Kate does not do well with needles.

As a mom my mind went to every possible worst case scenario.  What if she doesn’t wake up? She’s never been sedated before.  What if she gets seriously ill from lack of sterile equipment?  Are these doctors as good as American ones?  What if I lose my baby girl????  We are in a 3^rd world country having oral surgery.  For Kate I was keeping it together…but on the inside I was a wreck.

My dear friend in Australia reminded me: “Everybody is praying.  We love you and we love Kate. But, more importantly, you need to remember that the same God that kept her safe in the US is watching over her in Uganda.  It may be harder for you and me, but it is NO more difficult for Him there than anywhere else!”  Thank you Ellie!

Kate woke up Sunday refusing to leave the house.  She screamed and cried.  I felt so sick, but kept telling myself I had to keep it together for the sake of my whole family.  But all I could think about was what if I lose her?  And trust me I have had to work through this fear already when we agreed to this grand adventure. 

At some point on the trip to the clinic, the God that I LOVE SO MUCH, sent me a small note of encouragement.  A taxi van drove by with the verse “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 29:11.  Oh God I needed that.  This verse has been an anchor for me for the last 10 years of my life.  His plans.  Good plans.  The verse continues…“plans to prosper you and NOT TO HARM YOU.  Plans to give you a hope AND A FUTURE.”  I held onto the promise that no harm would come to Kate and that she would have a bright future.

Kate did amazing.  She really is the most brave 3 year old I have ever known.  Marc and I had to physically restrain her while the IV was inserted.  She screamed and said the most heart-breaking words.  I put my face in hers so she would see me and not the needle.  I spoke reassuring words to try to calm her down.  I prayed to Jesus to protect her.  Once the medicine was injected she was out within seconds.  At that point her body went completely limp and I burst into tears.  Marc welled up with tears as he handed her over to the doctor to position her properly on the chair.  Our precious little baby girl was out cold and it was scary.

BUT…the doctors were both AMAZING.  So gentle and kind.  The equipment completely sterile and opened from brand new packages.  All my fears were slipping away.  Almost.  The procedure was over and my girl still had not woken up from the sedation.  Spencer came in and talked to her.  Marc talked to her.  I talked to her.  We rubbed her arms and legs and coaxed back to this reality.  And when she opened her eyes…. Honestly I can’t put into words all the emotions that took over at that moment of those precious blues opening and focusing on me.  I knew all was right with the world when she instantly asked if she could have her treat now.  Oh my girl!!

My brave brave girl did amazing.  Thank you to all who prayed and sent words of encouragement.  In hindsight (like in a few years) I may look back and laugh at how worked up I got over this…or not.  This would have been traumatic in the States.  It certainly was traumatic in Uganda.  But my God is big and I am so grateful we were not alone.  Not for one step.

 

The tooth

Our little drugged girl

The Story of Esther

Two days ago Marc and I had the opportunity to sit down with this amazing young lady and listen as she shared her story.  A story that testifies to the goodness of God.

Meet Esther. This is her story.

Esther is the youngest of 7.  Shortly after she was born her father abandoned her family.  Her and her siblings were raised by their mother.  A woman of faith, who Esther often overheard praying to the God of the Universe.  She cried out that God would protect her children and be a father to the fatherless.  Esther didn’t yet know or understand this God, but she knew her mother had a deep faith in Him.

When Esther was 7 she was abducted by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army).  She and 3 of her sisters were hiding in a tree, but she was caught.  Caught because she was a curious 7 year old who was peeking from the branches to get a better view of the men in uniform.  When they found her, she did not reveal the hiding places of her sisters.  Can you imagine?  7 years old.

As I write this I find myself staring at my son.  He is 5 and will turn 6 this year.  I can’t imagine.  I can’t.  I can’t fathom the depth of pain a mother would feel when she discovers that the baby of her family has been kidnapped by the atrocious LRA.  The fate of these children was certain death. 

The first day Esther travelled.  Far.  On the second day, she hid in the bushes and managed to escape.  Again, 7 years old. Imagine the fear of being found again.  The fear of trying to return home.  But return home she did.  The fear of the LRA was a constant companion to those living in her small rural village.  To the point that Esther completed her final year of primary school as a boarding student in Soroti (the town we currently live in).

She worked hard that year because she had the HOPE of going to secondary school.  You see in Uganda, primary school is publically funded.  Secondary school is not.  The options were simple.  Earn high enough grades to qualify for a scholarship and attend a secondary school.  OR return home to the village and be married off.  Esther explained that although it is technically illegal to marry so young, it is common practice in the village.  Many brides are 13 and 14 year old girls.  The sadder reality is that some girls, feeling no hope of a future (because they did not earn high enough grades to get into secondary school) commit suicide. 

Esther’s story continues.  She was chosen as a scholarship student for Beacon Secondary School, run by Pilgrim Africa, here in Soroti.  In 2007 Esther started her first year of Secondary School.  Through her time at Beacon, she discovered there were others students who had suffered the trauma of the LRA and abduction.  She quickly found comfort that she was not alone.  During her 6 years at Beacon, Esther also found HOPE.  Hope that isn’t based on circumstance.  Hope that isn’t based on feeling.  Hope that is firmly planted in the person of Jesus Christ.  In a faith that offers second (and third and fourth) chances.  She found HOPE in the God of the universe.  The God that her mother constantly prayed to.

Esther is filled with joy and thankfulness.  Beacon provided her a quality education and allowed her the opportunity to discover her personal talents.  Based on the gleam of happiness in Esther’s eyes, one would never know she faced such trauma at a young age.  She is the living testimony of someone who didn’t allow her past, to dictate her future.

Esther is currently entering her second semester at Uganda College of Commerce, here in Soroti.  She hopes to be an accountant.

THIS. IS. WHY. WE. ARE. HERE.

“To restore the hope and dignity found in Christ to those who have been devastated by war, poverty or disease.”   This is the VISION of Pilgrim Africa.  This is a vision that we support.  This is why we moved our family half way around the world.  This is why we live in a rural village in Uganda.  “Our work doesn’t bring HOPE.  HOPE is the work!”