Getting back to Uganda

It all started about 2½ years ago. In doing research for a new film at work, I watched a film that has forever changed my life. It had nothing to do with the brilliant storytelling, likeable characters, or cool shots…it had everything to do with the heartbreaking story of children in the faraway land of Uganda that have been forced to be soldiers, wives and mothers, sex slaves, and killers by a man who will stop at nothing to gain his power through terror (for more info, go to:http://therescue.invisiblechildren.com/en/#/watch/ and watch a history of the conflict and what’s being done about it).

God has done immeasurable things in my heart and daily life to continue to lead me down a path of passionate activism and service for these children of Uganda. Since first hearing of this story in February of 2007, I’ve volunteered for countless events, lobbied on the Hill for the issues of child soldiers and the affected people of No. Uganda. Most amazingly, I was floored by the Lord’s providence of the opportunity to travel to Uganda that very summer with National Community Church (NCC).

Me, Jenny, and Katy at The Rescue (Invisible Children event), 2009

I cannot tell you how much this trip impacted me back in 2007. I have never experience such a swift calling from the Lord. Within months of hearing of the conflict and plight of the children in Uganda (who, in addition to suffering a 23-year long civil war and abductions by rebel forces, are chronically orphaned by the AIDS virus), I was in that very place, elbow deep in bricks and mortar building a new home for these children, and praying at the altar of a local church in Gulu, No. Uganda who is seeking to serve these shattered hearts and families.

My friend, Carmel, and me on the plane to visit Gulu, Uganda in 2007

Now, in the summer of 2009, after living in DC now for almost 2 years, and enjoying my family at NCC, as well as continuing to make documentaries with The Johnson Group as my 9-5, I am again embarking on a trip to Uganda to work with Watoto Children Ministries (www.watoto.com) with NCC. This year, instead of building a home, we will be taking an even larger team of 26 NCCers to build a classroom in one of the village’s schools. Our trip is scheduled for July 24-August 1 (I'll be spending and extra week in Gulu as well).

Watoto does more than an average orphanage. The ministry actually adopts the children themselves, placing them into single-family homes (like the one we built in 2007), where they are joined by a new mother (a woman from the community who dedicates her life to raising this new family) and 7 other siblings (some biological, some new ones who have also been orphaned). These children then have the opportunity to go to school, have a stable home life, a clean place to live and study, medical care, and a church community that loves and disciples them into future leaders. The motto of Watoto is “Save a Child. Raise a Leader. Rebuild a Nation.” I get chills just thinking about it!

I'm honored to be going back!!