Meet Christabel(left) and
Judith (picture above). Stories of agony….but God is writing a new story of
beauty for both of them.
It was a typical day for
Judith. She was drawing water at the well and I can imagine she was humming
some tune and chatting with her friends. What she did not know was that her
life was about to change forever. She began to see armed individuals and soon after
she saw many huts lit on fire. She ran home and saw her parents lying in blood.
Her father had already fallen dead and the rebels forced Judith to kill her
mother. She was immediately taken by the rebels and tied up with other girls.
They were given very heavy loads to carry on their heads and their journey
started into the bush. Those that failed to walk either received 100 or more strokes
(whips) or were killed. “In the bush I could only see blood….the suffering
started on my life”.
Christabel was born in
captivity. Her mother was abducted and given as a wife to one of the top
commanders (second in command to Joseph Kony), Otti Vincent. Her mother
produced with Otti Vincent and Christabel was born into chaos, torture and
sorrow. Imagine, a toddler witnessing such extreme acts of violence. This was
her normal, this was all she knew. Her mother was killed and after that moment
she was separated from her father, Otti Vincent. She was able to see him once
more and then never saw him again. She later learned that he was killed after
Joseph Kony thought he was agreeing to peace talks.
Both complete orphans.
Both filled with grief and agony. Yet, hope wins. They have dreams and believe
that God has amazing and wonderful plans for them. “God was looking for me”,
says Christabel, after describing how He had protected her and lifted the
heaviness off of her heart. Judith, who at one point could not even utter one
word of her story, now presents herself with such strength and expectation. She
dreams of being a psychiatric doctor to help others who have been affected by
the LRA. Both of these precious jewels have felt the healing touch of Jesus and
believe that they have purpose. Their past does not define them…if anything it
pushes them to dream bigger, trust in hope and to ultimately believe.
This Christmas you can
give a gift that will continue to show all of these children that we believe in
them, love them and are standing with them in their dreams and hope for the
future. Will you BELIEVE with us?
Have a very Merry and Blessed
Christmas!!
