Let me start by saying how much I love the Acholi community, and the individuals therein. I've been going to the Acholi Quarters in Kampala for 5 years or so now, either on my own, or with teams, and I have some really strong friendships with individuals there.
Life is not easy for many of the residents - displaced from their homes in the north, living in very poor conditions, often not sure how to pay the rent, or feed the family etc - the community is now coping with the extra unknown factor of possible displacement from this land as the government has identified it as ripe for development.
Today, and yesterday, were probably two of the toughest days of visiting I've ever had to make to the Quarters, and required me to dig deep into my reserves for wisdom, patience and grace. Lots of listening to individuals, hearing their concerns, trying to discern and tease out the real truth from the confused messages or misrepresentations of truth.
I don't want to go into details, as it isn't fair on those concerned, but suffice to say that by the end of the two days, a lot of progress has been made in bringing unity where there was disunity, in replacing confused messages with truth, and in speaking love and positive messages into situations where previously things were less harmonious.
But to balance the picture, and to show that it wasn't all tough going, alongside the difficult conversations I also received updates about the Adult Literacy classes that have now been going for 2 years and have 31 attendees; I met with the children who go to the catch up classes and are really thriving from some structure, routine and investment in their lives; and I heard about the new community savings scheme that the ladies have set up giving them a way to save, support each other and hopefully start new businesses when they are ready.
Life is all about the ups and the downs, and yesterday and today encapsulated that to be sure. Please pray for this community, as they strive to take steps in the right direction - and in so doing to keep truth, love and unity at the forefront.
And now, a few photos of these lovely people, smiling amidst it all!
Life is not easy for many of the residents - displaced from their homes in the north, living in very poor conditions, often not sure how to pay the rent, or feed the family etc - the community is now coping with the extra unknown factor of possible displacement from this land as the government has identified it as ripe for development.
Today, and yesterday, were probably two of the toughest days of visiting I've ever had to make to the Quarters, and required me to dig deep into my reserves for wisdom, patience and grace. Lots of listening to individuals, hearing their concerns, trying to discern and tease out the real truth from the confused messages or misrepresentations of truth.
I don't want to go into details, as it isn't fair on those concerned, but suffice to say that by the end of the two days, a lot of progress has been made in bringing unity where there was disunity, in replacing confused messages with truth, and in speaking love and positive messages into situations where previously things were less harmonious.
But to balance the picture, and to show that it wasn't all tough going, alongside the difficult conversations I also received updates about the Adult Literacy classes that have now been going for 2 years and have 31 attendees; I met with the children who go to the catch up classes and are really thriving from some structure, routine and investment in their lives; and I heard about the new community savings scheme that the ladies have set up giving them a way to save, support each other and hopefully start new businesses when they are ready.
Life is all about the ups and the downs, and yesterday and today encapsulated that to be sure. Please pray for this community, as they strive to take steps in the right direction - and in so doing to keep truth, love and unity at the forefront.
And now, a few photos of these lovely people, smiling amidst it all!
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