Hello from Africa. What an amazing trip it has been so far. The first 3 days we spent in Uganda visiting displacement camps. We saw so many families displaced as a result of the conflict. They were forced to move from their homes which had been in their families for generations, and forced to live in camps without clean water. They could only bring with them, what they could carry on their head. There is a lot of sickness due to infections and no medical care. I am so thankful for the work that Food for the Hungry is doing. They have provided water for hundreds of families, along with food, new schools, farming equipment, sanitary bathroom conditions and most importantly...Hope.
We also had the opportunity to spend time with some beautiful young ladies and their children at the child mother program, which is called the New Life Center. This center has 28 woman and girls who were victims of rape and tortured at the hands of the LRA. Some of them have contracted aids, and their children are HIV positive. This is an amazing holistic community that provides trauma counseling, medical attention, education and job training and placement. We heard a lot of stories, all of them hard. These women are incredibly strong and so determined.
I had the privilege of getting to know a beautiful young girl by the name of Lilly, who gave me permission to share her story. She was kidnapped by the LRA, raped and enslave for over 2 years. She had scars all over her body, and especially visible were the scars that did not show. Lilly has 2 children as a result of her captivity and is trying her best to heal from the extreme trauma. Please pray for Lilly, as she has a long road ahead of her. I am so thankful for the staff at Food for the Hungry in the New Life Center, as they are committed to walking along side Lilly and all the woman and children. May they continue show the face of a compassionate and loving savior by the way they serve and love them. Tomorrow we go the Rwanda, I will check back in as the available infrastructure provides. Blessings to all of you, and as you enjoy your glass of water, please remember how blessed you are. Peggy
