This is the most extreme poverty we’ve seen so far on the Race. Acholi huts are the only housing here, widows have been abandoned by the communities, orphans are left with no one to care for them, AIDS has wreaked havoc on this community, and people are literally starving to death. There is so much need, but the biggest need is just love. So many people here are still living in fear, pain, and anger. Widows need to know they are not a burden, children need to know they are desired, and families need to know the Lord will provide.
Even though the war has moved out of Uganda and they are experiencing a time of peace, the effects of war are everywhere. Everyone we met has suffered loss at the hand of the LRA, spiritual warfare is the most extreme we’ve experienced, and even the simplest activities have been influenced by the war. They speed down roads in terrible conditions because they learned to drive during the war when you might be driving into an ambush and it was imperitave to keep up with the convoy so your vehicle wasn’t a lone target. A woman sitting outside on her porch at dusk told us even that is a reminder of the war because only a couple of years ago, they had to be locked inside their houses long before dark. The spread of HIV was accelerated through frequent rapes, and now a majority of the community is infected. Children are left orphaned, whether from the war or by AIDs. These are the things that I noticed most the first week we spent in Uganda… the war has effected everything.
My heart has both been broken and healed while living in Acholiland. I have broken for the people who have seen so much death in their lives, cried for the children left with no one to care for them, been angry after looking into the eyes of friends knowing they were suffering with AIDs, and questioned why those I prayed for were not healed. But, I’ve also heard incredible stories of protection, seen hope in the faces of widows, watched the joy of a child sick with AIDs as she plays with her friends, and I’ve heard the inspiring prayers and praises of a community that has suffered tremedously, and yet rejoice so much in the salvation of our Lord.
I believe our last day in Uganda sums up our experience pretty well. We were invited to a church in a small village about 30 minutes from Rackoko. As we pulled up, they were busy arranging chairs for us under a large tree. The Pastor began by telling us the history of the church, that they used to meet under a different tree, but they moved to a bigger tree with more shade when the congregation grew. My heart was so alive there, under the shade of a tree, listening to my good friend speak of God’s grace, and looking at the faces of the congregation, so full of anticipation and hope. A few minutes later I sat in shock as he told us the history of the village. He pointed across the field and said, “Alice Lakwena camped out with her soldiers under those mango trees you see there. And right there, that’s where the very first bullet of the war was fired from.”
As the day continued on, I heard testimony from my teammate, a challenging message from our good friend, and encouragement from the Pastor. But, I don’t remember most of the words spoken that day. What stays with me is are the things I witnessed there. I saw such hope in the eyes of the women singing praises to God and joy in the young boys kicking their knees as high as they could during worship. This worship continued long after church ended that afternoon. After we were served a declicious lunch, dancing broke out yet again. They taught us traditional African dances, and after a while asked us for our traditional dances… after thinking for a while we taught them the electric slide and the macarena! It was an incredible day none of us wanted to end.
That village showed me so much about the heart of the Ugandan people. Such terrible things had happened there and they have all experienced tragedy, but they live a life of praise. They welcome strangers into their community wholeheartedly, serve without asking anything in return, and praise the Lord knowing he has conquered death! This day in the village… it’s what gives me hope for all the widows and orphans. It is a reminder of the strength of the Acholi people, and how powerfully God is moving through them. Yes, Northern Uganda has seen war, and are experiencing the effects of it, but that’s not what I see when I think back on my time there. I remember the love, hope, and joy I saw in the people, and most of all, I remember their dancing.
I can see now the effects of war aren’t limited to the obvious things, but it has also resulted in a people that have literally lived in a war zone, and witnessed divine protection. People who have seen the spiritual and physical collide, and understand the power of their prayers. The war has created a people desperate for salvation, and when they find it… they spend the rest of their lives rejoicing in it.
Watch this video Elizabeth made of our dance party… my favorite day on the Race!
