Tuesday April 12th in Gulu...

Greetings again from the Jewel of Northern Uganda, the city of Gulu! Our hearts grow fonder for all our friends and family back home the longer we are away from everyone. It is comforting to know that there is an army of friends and loved ones who are praying for us and supporting us in love. Without you this venture would be impossible, but with you and Jesus all things are possible!!! It would be absolutely impossible to convey to you the amazingly significant connections the Lord has sovereignly led us into while being here.
The second such connection was with Jolee, the director and initiator of "Invisible Children - Uganda." For a little info about Jolee, during the height of the war in Northern Uganda between the Ugandan Army and Joseph Kony, approximately 40,000 children were fleeing from the Kony's army for safety finding any place possible to hide and to sleep. From abandoned building basements to open fields, the children moved in fear trying to escape for their lives from being abducted and recruited to fight in Kony's army. During that time Jolee showed a few American free lance photographers and video people the horrible plight of the children, and from the production of that documentary film until now "Invisible Children" has been helping the war affected children. Spending time with Jolee was so impacting as she helped us understand the impact of "Children of Hope" on Gulu, since so many of the NGO's (Non-Government Organizations) that came to help Northern Uganda immediately following the war have already pulled out, including all their financial and physical support. It was also impacting and encouraging for Jolee to see "Children Of Hope" making decisions to remain in Gulu for the long haul to help the children rebuild their lives with love and dignity. In fact two of the children COH currently have, Emmy & Gloria, were discovered and cared for by Jolee until she asked COH to care for them. When I showed her the present pictures of Emmy & Gloria, she teared up because of how she had found them with distended bellies and their momma having died of Aids.

Following our time with Jolee we prepared for an evening outreach in the bush approximately 10km from Gulu. Children of Hope had previously contacted a school in the area prior to our coming and arranged for 110lbs of rice and 110lbs of beans to be prepared so we could feed the village. At approximately 5:30 we began feeding people and it continued to everything was gone, about 3hours later. We estimate over 1000 plates/bowls were served to over 600 people. It was a very impoverished village so feeding some of the children was very moving and heart wrenching, bringing us to tears.






Following the feeding time, the equipment that NTC had purchased and transported to Gulu last year was used to play both CD and live worship music, show the Jesus Video and then broadcast an altar call following the film. Nearly everyone who received food stayed and many others gathered to watch the film. Many in the crowd had never seen a film before so just that experience was incredible for them. At the conclusion of the film and the altar call, many responded for salvation and prayer. We are still not certain how many came forward for salvation, but the line for us to get their names and personal information was very long. All in all we believe Jesus really touched many hearts with His love and saving grace. A number of teenagers came up and asked us for bibles because they want to continue learning about Jesus so they can tell their friends. A couple that I spoke to, Lawrence & Martin, said that their friends are making some bad choices and they want Jesus to help them and intervene in their lives. I will never forget their pure hearts so willing to learn more so they can help their friends find Christ.