Story Time!

To Gulu,

 As promised, here are a few stories of  wonderful people that I have met,
disclaimer- I have permission to share the stories. I will not share their names.

Story 1;

I was apart of this situation; I cannot believe the things that happen here. SO. There is this young girl who has come to my training, and she has such a heart for children. There was a boy who went to her ministry, and he was there early and stayed late. He was there every week and willing to learn God's word. Randomly, this boy stopped coming on Sundays. A few weeks went by, and this leader was getting worried. Then this boy came in tears one day asking "Teacha, please can I live with you? My mother has done some awful things, and I need to go to a hospital". In the Acholi culture, this is very common. The leader did not think anything of it and replied "Of course!". The teacher first went to the police and filled out a police report, if you do this, then the medical exam for free. She did what she could do. It turns out this young boy has aids because of his mother, and the father is a drunk and never around. This was last year.

Over this past school year, the teacher has paid for his medication, school fees, uniforms, and food.

This year the family came looking for the boy and threatened to go to the police. She could be charged with kidnapping. The boy was forced to go back to his clan were he suffered. No medication and no education, maybe a meal a day. This boy did not feel loved or even felt like a human. He ended up running back to his Children's Ministry Leader.

The grandmother again came looking for the boy and claims she can help. She is a witch doctor and proclaims she is mighty in her community. The leader was afraid but yet held her ground.

She ended up going to her Local Chairmen ( district government) with the father. Doing this, she knew the child would be in a safe position. The father and the L.C agreed that the leader was the best choice for the boy. Right now, it is a verbal agreement.  Until it is on paper, the boy will stay with an uncle who is well known in the community, and the child will be safe. As she shared this in a prayer time during the training, another leader stood up and knew of an organization that would take care of children in situations like this. This organization would pay for school fees, and as I type, they are trying to get support for his medication.

If accepted, during the school holidays, the boy will go to the teacher's house and will have guardianship.

Story #2

These leaders have become good friends of mine. Most people in my generation as been through some awful wars. The north is still recovering from this event. 

Most of the leaders in the training were very young when Joseph Kony was attacking the Gulu. During the war, they stayed in the bush as well as churches that were marked as a safe place. The children at the time had to run from the village to the city to stay alive. Most have heard gunshots and screams, seen huts and buildings on fire and much more. 

During this time, no one worked because they had so much fear. Their childhood was horrible, and some things they have seen can only be imagined or have seen in movies.But God has used these leaders for great things. Our past impacts our future. Because of this, most of my generation here is dedicated to be working with children in one way or another. Some work in the children's ward in clinics, some are teachers, Sunday school leaders, or have created their ministries for children and much more!

I shared these two stories because most of the Acholi people have gone through it. Most people in my generation and older have experienced the war with the rebels. And most young people who love children will do whatever it takes to help. This is why I said yes to coming to Uganda. By training the leaders, the leaders will help the children so much more than I ever could.

For more frequent updates you can check out Facebook:

To Gulu With Love and World Embrace

Instagram: @Shel_Prankard and @WorldEmbrace

If you would like to make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter, please go to:

Lakemount.ca

click on the tab 'Give.'

click 'one time gift online.'

Click on 'mission other.'

Click on 'Shelre.'

Until next time,

with love.

Shelre.