Since coming to Gulu we’ve been living within a facade of peace. Other than our one-on-one encounters with children who tell us horrifying stories of war, we have been fairly sheltered from violence, due to the current peace talks. In one day though, the facade was shattered by two different events.
On Sunday, we witnessed a child being unjustly beaten by an adult. We were shocked by the image of what we saw and afterward by adults’ responses to our intervention that “this is Africa, this is how we do things here.” Later that evening, we received word that the peace talks have faultered and war is coming back to northern Uganda. There is a lot of confusion surrounding the exact details of the current situation and wherabouts of the rebels. However, around town, everybody has an opinion on what is happening. Overall, most people believe that the rebels have backed out of the peace talks because the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defense Force) have not been honoring truce agreements. Peace talk leaders hope that the peace talks will move out of Juba, Sudan and to Nairobi, Kenya, but it does not look hopeful.
As we were writing this, our friend Komakech (who took us to visit his family in the Pader IDP camp in November) walked up and greeted us. We asked about his family and how he was feeling about the news. He told us, “people are going to suffer.” He explained his inability to bring his family to town and said, “If I had the means, I would bring them to my place, but where would I put them?” He expressed his fear that the rebels are walking out of south Sudan, where the peace talks were occuring, and are heading south into Uganda.
As we are reminded of Komakech’s family, we think about all the different people we have met and become friends with in the isolated and unprotected villages and IDP camps north of Gulu. We are told that the rebels will target and victimize these vulnerable people first. Our hearts and souls are heavy in thinking about our friends who have already suffered and continue to be traumatized.
We would greatly appreciate your support as we endeavor to resist this spiritual and physical darkness. Your words are so encouraging to us and they remind us that we are not alone.
Autumn and Haley
Here are some links you can check out to stay updated:
www.ugandacan.org
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
Haley & Autumn…we are praying for you both, and your safety there in Uganda. But we know you are safer there in God’s will, than anywhere else!
I prayed for you both at 5:30 a.m.this morning Kansas time…that God would give you protection, and the grace to handle the situation to glorify Him.
I also prayed for your parents in a special way…this has to be hard on them as they know their beautiful daughters are in such a hostile environment.
We will continue to pray for you both daily…I shared with my mom (your Aunt Mickey) some of what you’re going through. She worries…but I told her to not worry…just pray!
Our love and prayers are with you!
Love,
Lynnette
Haley & Autumn, Our Beautiful Daughters! What can we say that has not already been said? We feel better after talking with you this morning but still we are not completely at peace. We are so concerned about recent events and we feel so helpless to protect you! We have to rely on the One who can. However, as parents it is so hard even though we know God is our only hope to watch over you. We pray that you listen and hear His guidance at just the right time. We are constantly keeping you before the throne of God. This is not an easy time for us. We yearn for the time we will hold you and touch your faces once again.
We love and miss you!
Dad and Mom
Haley and Aut… Please know that Jan sent out a prayer request for you girls and for the people of Uganda, their government, and the rebels, to all of the Falconettes (both current and alumnae)- It was a long list! Be encouraged that you are being covered in prayer.
I thank God that He is soverign over us ALL.
I have seen your blog and I found a lot of interesting Content… So good image and some good art… I invite you to see mine at here
Autumn and Haley,
I have read all of your blog entries this morning… our mutual friend Megan Lundgren (Millar) sent your URL to me. We will be praying for your health, your work, your safety, and the lives of the Gulu people! You are doing a great work there and I pray that the Lord provides for you in your need as you do His work.
I am so saddened to hear that there aren’t any other therapists in the Gulu area! I should tell you both that I spent some time in Uganda during my undergrad years and was very influenced by the experience. I am now at Fuller Theological Seminary (with Megan and Daniel). I was inspired to continue my education because I would love to have the training as a therapist so I can return to Uganda and be a part of the process of healing for the people. I realize that there are a lot of cultural differences, and I’m sure therapy looks a lot different in a Ugandan context. I’d love to hear more about that, although I realize how difficult it is to send emails and communicate when you are there. I wish so badly that I could be done with my training and join you there!!! Even today!
Please know that you are being prayed for now, along with my constant prayers for the people of Uganda. The Lord is your strength.
Your new friend,
Emily Chandler
PS I can be reached at coombsemily@hotmail.com
I am so sad to hear this. I am praying for your hearts and your work with the kids. I wish that there was more that I could do. I know that prayer is the most important and strongest way to help, but sonetimes you just wanna do something more. I am having lunch with the kids I brought over to work at HEALS and will share with them this news. I have followed it a little, but with info from the inside it sounds much worse. Hang in there and know I am joining you in prayer. Love to you, the other HEALS staff and the kids. Please give them my greetings. Love you, ‘bec
Be encouraged.
I think and pray for you often. Thank you for the blogs! They are more than updates they serve as inspiration to me to engage in efforts over here!!
God Bless Halo & Booker!