I don’t really know how to begin this blog. So much has happened since my last post in the Turkish airport. I was planning on writing an inspiring, thought-provoking post about God’s faithfulness, learning to adapt, and/or finding joy in the midst of trial. But for now, a quick update will have to do. Finding internet today has been quite a task. Here’s the quick low down.
If you read my previous post, you know that my team was supposed to spend the month at an orphanage in Kenya. Well…neither of those are true anymore. There were last minute changes, and we heard that the orphanage fell through. I was discouraged because I was really looking forward to it. It was a dream opportunity. Little did I know that I would be trading in a dream location for my dream location.
I’m currently in Gulu, Uganda. GULU! The name of this city might not mean much to most of you. Gulu was the center of the Invisible Children movement. I’ve met people here through videos and stories, but now I’m shaking their hands and hearing their stories face to face. If you had asked me one year ago to name one city to travel to in the entire world, it would have been Gulu. And here I am. I’m still blown away. We’re staying with Pastor Peter and his wife, Naomi. We’re partnering with Peter and his co-pastors (Steven and Patrick) to do ministry in the city. This consists of evangelism, hospital visits, children’s church, and more. Hopefully we’ll get to visit a rehabilitation school for war-affected children this week.
Everything has become real now. Everyone here has been affected by the war. Pastor Stephen escaped capture when the rebels invaded his school…twice. Pastor Patrick was abducted, but escaped. Before you start worrying about our safety (more than you already are), rest assured that all is well. There has been peace in Northern Uganda for the last three years. Kony (the leader of the rebel army) has fled to Sudan and is in hiding. Most everyone has returned home from the displacement camps. It’s amazing to see this place in a state of peace after knowing the horrific things that happened here such a short time ago.
I’ll try to update with more details soon. I miss you all!
