CHRISTINE IN UGANDA BOOK

At the two-hour point, after Cary and Jill had been at the Achan youth rescue complex, David and John came back with their bikes to pick up Jill and Cary and take them back to their compound.

After two hours of stories of rape, murder, beatings, theft over and over in her ears and the damage seen through her eyes, Cary was thoroughly distraught.  She felt blessed to hold their hands and pray for these victims.  She had watched Jill question those who came to her, and saw when she appeared stressed, furious, heartbroken.

While riding on the back of the bike, she was no longer in the mood to wave to kids or anyone else near the IDP camps piled in the church and school yards along the roads. Those heartbreaking events stood out to her and continued to flood her mind.

Christine had truly hit Cary's heart and her spirit. As a

15-year-old Christian girl, she had been given as "third wife" to a 27-year old rebel.  One of his wives was pregnant.  All three of them beat her, refused to give her food, even though she was forced to cook.  After a couple of months of capture, she escaped during cross-fire between the militia and the rebels.  After hearing her story, Cary asked, “If you could talk to these people, what would you say?”  Christine said, “I would forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.”

Cary could hardly stay in her seat, she was so overwhelmed

by this very frank and kind Jesus statement.  She shot a glance at Susan, who looked at Cary and nodded her head.  Obviously, the response was not aimed just to impress a missionary woman or aide worker.  Christine’s simple truth poured from her heart.

Cary was grateful that the bikers had arrived before she and Jill were forced to talk to each other about the stories.  She knew it was going to be one tough day while they shared.  Since Jill was a bit introverted and Cary an absolute most over-the-top opposite, Cary wasn’t sure how it would play out, but knew the Lord could work it through with them.  And knowing that this was only the first set of interviews, not the end of this project, was a little intimidating.  Cary wondered how she could keep doing this without falling into a little crumpled mess on the floor.  But, again, she knew it was only by the grace of God that it could be done, and she could ... she MUST ... trust Him.

Hours later, after sending emails telling the stories of the eight kids she and Jill had interviewed, then having dinner with visitors at the compound, and, finally having truly “alone” time, the day’s events finally hit Cary full force.  As she had anticipated, but hoped wouldn’t be the case, she began to cry.  She picked up a book she had been reading and threw it onto the floor.  “Why, Lord?  Why?  There’s no reason those kids should have to go through that.  And to know some of them are Christians, their families have been serving You, and yet they are suffering from physical and emotional beatings, forced to watch others being killed, forced to steal and beat others, the girls forced to be sex slaves.  I know it’s not Your fault, but.... WHY?”  She collapsed onto the bed crying her heart out.  Jill just reached over and patted her hand.  Not much else could be done.

After she stopped crying, Cary looked at Jill and shook her head.  “I’m sorry.  I know I shouldn’t over-react like that.  I know ‘God is bigger’.  I say it all the time.  But, what keeps floating through my heart is ‘how can I go back home to Disneyland?’ after seeing all that these innocent ones have gone through.”  Cary shrugged.  “But, I know I’m here now for a purpose, and I need to keep my eyes on the Lord and off the everydayness of these poor dear ones.”Jill nodded.  “You are right, Cary.  God has us here for a reason and for a season.  He will show us His purpose.  It’s not easy; that’s for sure, but it is the right thing to do.”

It wasn’t much later that all the lights in the compound were out, all the music was off; it was quiet.  The night was cooler than usual and no mosquitoes were flittering through the screens.  It was a true God-gift.  

Cary and Jill fell asleep – and had the best long night since they had arrived.  It was truly a night of health and covered with a much kind Spirit.