Ever since I started planning my trip to Africa, I have had lots of interesting questions and comments from people about the trip. Some are good questions and I have had some great conversations about the reason I’m going but most comments revolve around the question, “Why are you going to Africa?” It’s an important question because I think most people think I’m going for a great adventure. But actually, as most of you know, I’m not very adventurous. I really don’t even like camping :). And I get nervous in new situations and around new people. And I’m terrified of bugs and I’m really worried that I’m going to get bitten by a rat. On top of that, I don’t like being dirty and wearing clothes more than once. So, (as you can see), it’s not for the adventure for sure. But it’s because I believe whole heartedly that God has called me over there to share His love with people who need it desperately.
So the reason is this: to share the love, forgiveness, peace and hope that comes with knowing Jesus Christ to an entire generation of people. The northern part of Uganda has been terrorized by a rebel army for more than twenty years. In that time frame, more than 50,000 children have been kidnapped and forced to commit horrendous acts of violence. Often, the first people these children (we are talking about children as young as 7 and 8) are forced to kill are their own parents. Because the LRA has been there for 20 years, that means that any child under 20 has never slept one peaceful night without the threat of being taken by these ruthless killers.
Sometimes, these children escape or are rescued from the clutches of the LRA. And then the government sends them to two weeks in a “rehabilitation center” for therapy. I do not believe that two weeks even in the best facility would erase the scars these children have. I believe strongly that their only hope of healing is through Jesus Christ. This is their only hope. (By the way, this is our only hope of healing from our own personal scars too). The Bible tells us that through Jesus Christ, we can all receive forgiveness. It doesn’t say that this grace stops at a certain point or doesn’t include certain acts. God forgives us all of every sin if we believe in His Son. And in this is hope and healing. And this is the simple reason I am going to Africa. To give these children hope.
In the West, we put our hope in financial security. We place our hope in holding a high status position in a company, community or even within our church. We place our hope in portraying a certain image. We look at the tangible things around us and put all of our effort into attaining as much as possible. But, as so many who actually achieve all of those things will tell you at the end of their life (take Elvis for example), it all amounts to nothing in the end. So many people find out too late in their life that they spent decades chasing the wrong idea of peace. Many humanitarian groups are bringing education to the kids in Africa hoping that will solve all their problems. I think most people who have a college degree will tell you that it does nothing to solve life’s problems. Food in our stomachs doesn’t answer the question of, “What is my purpose here?” Not that education is a bad thing, but I’m saying it doesn’t solve our problems or fill our emptiness. But God can answer all those questions and fill all those holes. So that no matter how poor we are, how small our house is or how old our clothes are, we have peace. No matter what country we live in, no matter what terrible things we have undergone, we have peace knowing that this world is not the end of our life. In actuality, our lives on earth are just a blip compared to the amount of time we’ll spend in perfect peace in heaven if we know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. And in that light, our present sufferings shrink to nothing.
So this is why I am going to Africa. Not because of how great I am, but because how great God is. Not because I am a great humanitarian, but because He is the Ultimate Humanitarian. He gave His Son to give us life- none of us could match His sacrifice no matter what cause we dedicated our lives too. I want the children in Uganda to know that this world is not all there is. And that no matter what they have undergone here, God has prepared for them a perfect home in heaven. It is with this knowledge, they can attain peace and gain hope.
I want you all to know how much I appreciate your prayers and support!!!
This is a typical home in the village I am going to, Kitgum.
shoulder, someone who had a seizure and the worst injury was Amy's jammed finger which I caught on film- photojournalism at its best ladies and gentlemen.
