A trip to Gulu in northern Uganda

Eight of us travelled to Gulu in northern Uganda for three days. It was WONDERFUL. 

We left at 8am on Thursday, fully loaded for the 7 hour drive north.

We stopped along the way for snacks

 
and to photograph the monkeys and baboons.

 

As soon as we arrived the guys unloaded the van

then everyone went inside because they wanted to celebrate, take photos and give thanks for God's provision of sewing machines and materials. Now some young mums in Gulu can also learn tailoring to give them and their children an opportunity for a positive future. Thank you, Aussies.

The history of Gulu is a tragic one. The LRA wreaked havoc and destruction in that area for over 20 years, but YFC is making an impact there.

On Thursday afternoon we went to visit a couple of the young mums who had lived at Mirembe House in Kampala when they were pregnant. Flavia lives with her sister Dorothy and their grandparents and their  littlies. What a beautiful family that is. We all enjoyed our time together very much. Any Luganda greetings we knew were of no use here. These people speak Acholi, but Flavia translated really well.

When we went to Sarah's house little Good Luck was pretty happy with his news clothes that grandmother was helping him to put on.

 On Friday morning I spent quality time with Clement, the one YFC staff member in Gulu, and five of his volunteers. We shared our life stories. How rich and precious that time was. 

We heard about just how good our God is and I was reminded of a poem Mal recited so well and the line that tells of  “the change that is wrought by the touch of The Master’s hand”

Joel was abducted by the LRA when he was 12 years old and remained with them until he was rescued by government troops when he was 16. He was ‘rehabilitated’ and given the opportunity to go back to school. What an absolutely beautiful man he is. You can see by the smile on his face and the tenderness towards his little boy that God has worked a miracle in his life. I felt very privileged to hear his story. He now heads up the YFC Sports Quest in Gulu that reaches teenagers and their communities with the life-changing message of Jesus through sports.

On Friday afternoon 25 young mums came with their little ones to be encouraged, prayed for, enjoyed and given gifts - each mum and child was given clothing and a toy and everyone enjoyed the obligatory sodas and biscuits.

 

 Of course they didn’t want to go home because they were having such a good time being together and being loved.

 YFC really knows how to love, encourage and build into the lives of these young people whose life has been nothing more that one long struggle.

 

 Our next visit was to visit Vicky and Mercy. These young women make an income from making and selling school jumpers which they make on a YFC knitting machine.

 We were able to take another knitting machine - thanks Aussies. Just look at that smile that says it all!

The remainder of our time in Gulu we spent just hanging out together. It was so good to be away from the routine of the office, spend quality time and to get to know each other in a different and more relaxed atmosphere

 
eating strange and delicious new fruit,

using the facilities,

washing dishes,

preparing 

and eating delicious food,

enjoying the wildlife,

relaxing

and roasting ground nuts for snacks.

Probably the pinnacle for me was sitting around outside in the dark (because the power was out) waiting for dinner to cook and singing songs along with the guitar. At one stage we were singing in 5 languages - English, Luganda, Acholi, Ancoli and Swahili. Awesome! 

And Joel's story also touched me deeply.