Uganda — The Pearl of Africa

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For the past twenty years, a large population of northern Uganda has endured tremendous suffering at the hands of warring guerillas. Abduction of children and teens still occurs, and the torture of real or perceived enemies remains constant.Meanwhile, the people continue to struggle just for the basics of life.

A heartbreaking fact is that the majority of these warring guerrillas are teens who were themselves abducted from their families. The families were scattered or killed and the teens assimilated into the resistance against their wills. Once that happened, they were forced to commit atrocities or be killed themselves.

As all this has happened, families who lived for generations on land they owned are now scattered throughout northern Uganda. Their homes have been destroyed and their possessions stolen, leaving them with nothing. In a scene repeated too often, some family members are killed, others are unaccounted for, and others are separated from their loved ones for years if not for life.

Upon fleeing the conflict, groups of people end up forced into the bush to survive, huddled together with total strangers from other villages. Over two hundred internally displaced people camps (IDP camps) have developed with individual populations in the thousands. One such IDP camp, Omoro, swelled to over seventeen thousand people at once.

World Challenge staff recently visited Omoro and has partnered with missions agencies and local pastors Francis and Bosco to provide relief. These two dear ministers and their families have personally endured displacement and now live in Omoro.

Pastor Francis himself has suffered the deaths of three of his children, yet he remains faithful to ministering the hope of Christ to the desperate around him. Thirty-three of the sixty-five churches he oversees have been destroyed by the guerrillas. They are in desperate need of help.

As Christ’s followers, the responsibility for these brothers and sisters’ welfare falls upon us, and World Challenge has moved into action. Support has been extended in order to feed those who cannot work, primarily widows and children. This past month, food was given to thousands of severly hungry widows and their young ones. A community center with food and medical services is now being built, a structure that will also serve as a church for this desperately needy community.

As in all areas where critical needs exist, prayer must pave the way for true change, even as immediate needs are being met. Will you join us in praying for Uganda? Listen and respond as you sense the Holy Spirit speaking.

As always, we thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry.