March in Uganda

Hello Everyone
First of all I want to say thank you for all of your prayers, they have been wonderful especially these last few weeks. As many of you know, Megan came down with Malaria on Monday morning. She’s had a harrowing few days, but we think that we have seen the worst of it. We took her to get a test done and the Malaria is gone! But she is having some side effects of the meds, like nausea and dizziness which have gotten better today but still need complete eradication. We thank you all for faithfully praying; please continue to pray for a speedy recovery. Two of the Fulks family members, Benjamin and Jacob have also contracted the illness. Benjamin is all better, and Jacob as of today has recovered nicely. Once again thanks for your prayers.
We traveled home on Sunday from our two week visit to Gulu, Northern Uganda. God blessed us with safe travel and a good driver, kudos to John Fulks and his navigation/piloting skills. It was a very special time that we had up there. We stayed on the Coggin’s compound in their Guest Banda (hut). As John was in Arua teaching, we spent time with the Coggins, got to know their ministry, explored village life, met some wonderful people and had a few adventures.
The Coggins’ have been in Gulu for the past two years working with the Acholi people. They started a primary (elementary) school the first year that they came. They have been working on a contextualized Christian Curriculum for the Ugandan school system. It was exciting for me to hear about their plans for the future and to see them working out throughout the weeks that we were there. In the evenings, after the generator was turned on, at seven, we would spend time in their place, fellowshipping, playing music, talking, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. With a crowd of 14 we never really had a dull moment.
A few days we were outfitted with an Interpreter and allowed to go into the village and meet the people. The village we were in had surged in size during the war, people fled their homes and crowed into villages in hope of protection from Rebel troops. Now that the war is over many people have relocated back into more rural parts leaving numerous huts abandoned. This village was full of very friendly and welcoming people. Every hut we walked by, we stopped and talked, even if it was about nothing at all. We sat around a pot with a group of ladies and their infants, talking as they cut up Cassava for their supper. Another day we went out with an interpreter and Lisa Coggins. This day we didn’t go to the main “Suburbia” part of the village but we walked out a less traveled road which turned into a trail leading to a beautiful plot of land with four mango trees and a hut. We went out all this way to visit Mary.
As we walked down the narrow path opening into a clearing we were greeted with kind eyes smiling back at us. Mary greeted us and set up three chairs and a stool for us to sit and visit under the mango trees. As we sat she told us how happy she was that we had come and began to tell us about her new job. She sat on a papyrus mat, holding in her hands a skillfully woven basket to which she was currently adding the finishing touches. She started to make baskets out of palm tree leaves and their spines in order to help with the family expenses. That sounded good to me but even more so when I heard the rest of her story which came in parts, but I will tell to you as cohesively as I can.
In her village growing up Witch Doctors were very important, as they are in many villages. The village decided that Mary should be their next witch doctor; through ceremonies and summoning they “empowered” Mary with all of the spiritual powers available to them. Thus she was anointed. She married and had children, while making money through her ‘doctoring’. But she came down with tuberculosis and fell very ill. Her Husband heard about a church where he might be able get help for his wife. He went to church, being at that time addicted to alcohol, and heard about Christ. He professed belief in Christ and started attending. Shortly after he told the Church about his sick wife and asked if they could come and help her. They went to their home and found Mary very near to death. Carrying her swiftly to the hospital they got her the care that she needed. Since then she put her trust in Christ and as evidence has completely given up witch doctoring. Now that her family does not have the income she is making baskets instead. Her Husband has stopped spending time where all of the drinking takes place and sets himself to work with his cattle as well as with crops and weaving some with his wife. The light in both of this couple’s eyes is unmistakable. I was told that Mary’s countenance did not use to be so radiant, but now she truly shines with the light of Christ. Praise God … Great things He has done!
There several stories similar and other stories different but just as wonderful of a testimony of God’s goodness and mercy, but to write them all at once would be unfair, for our minds need time to think and absorb. I have already told you one story, now I will recount for you an experience.
It was a warm morning, as was usual in Gulu, as a Lorry truck drove past the compound, packed with students in the back wearing pink and white uniforms, and singing joyously. I went about my work downloading and editing pictures from the previous day’s outings. Suddenly I heard my name called, I quickly grabbed my camera, thinking I was needed to document some compound happening, and hopped out of the Banda. To my surprise I saw the whole staff compound running, or biking towards the gate. I caught up with Lisa, whose voice had called my name. “There’s been an accident, people might have been killed. You’re an EMT right? They’ll need you up there.” She turned around to go get the staff van as I took off running towards the gate and down the road. As I ran I said a prayer and thought of the truck full of kids that had just driven by. It wasn’t long before I saw the crowd of people and heard the wailing cries of scared and injured teenagers. The truck was on its side, my heart skipped a beat, but I was thankful to see that everyone was out of the vehicle and no one was under the bars of the Lorry. Once the van arrived, we loaded the most injured in and headed to the hospital. It was a hard ride especially for the girl with a broken leg, the bumps must have felt like torture, I kept it as steady as possible and the driver drove well, but it was in no way a comfortable ride I’m sure. Arriving at the hospital we unloaded the kids and tried to get them some emergency service, which has yet to be developed to its fullest potential. After some time, of waiting and watching, we had to take our leave and head back to our compound, now that the kids were in capable hands. On the ride back out I thanked God for the training that I had received and that He allowed me to be of use in some small way with those kids. Please pray for their recoveries and that they will know the love of Christ.
Our trip home was wonderful and we spent some really nice time together at the Murchison Falls Park. What an exquisite part of God’s creation. Thankfully on the actual drive home no one had come down with Malaria symptoms and we made it home in good time and without any mishaps!
I hope all is well on the western front and that you are continuing to grow in the knowledge of the love of Christ, as I am. Much love from Uganda,
Sadie
“O God, you are my God, I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water...Because Your loving kindness is better than life.” Psalm 63:1,3
Sorry its so long... will send pictures soon!