Restoring Dignity

Today has been an amazingly productive day, and it started this morning with a visit to Living Hope.

****

The war in northern Uganda affected everyone: men, women and children. Women especially suffered; when their husbands, fathers, and brothers were killed, they were left to support their families on their own. When the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) raided a village, they not only abducted children, but they forced the children they had trained as soldiers to dismember and disfigure the women in the village. Sometimes it was punishment for guarding a child or hiding supplies from the soldiers, and sometimes it was for no reason except that the commander felt like it; but always, it was grotesque and cruel. Lips, ears and noses were cut off, the women were raped and then they were left in their pain, watching the soldiers leave with their children and belongings. 

Years later, many of these women have miraculously survived. However, they struggle with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, infections induced by their disfigurations, loss of children and family, and a loss of dignity. Although they survived, many of these women felt like they had no reason to continue surviving. How could life possibly be worth living?

Oh, the God we serve. He not only sees us in our misery, in our worst moments- whether it was done to us or we brought it on ourselves- but He redeems us... and He restores our dignity. 

"The key here is the word 'restore.' We are not giving them something new; we are restoring. What we are doing is just saying, 'God did not make you this broken, wounded, incapable person. When you were in the womb, God made you beautiful. He made you strong. He made you joyful. He made you capable.' Circumstances have taken that away and we are here to restore it."- Christine Lutara, Living Hope Gulu

****

So this morning, my room mate Amanda and I took a boda boda to Living Hope for a tour, and I am so very glad we did.

Living Hope is a ministry started by Watoto Church in 2008, I believe, to reach out to vulnerable women in the community- namely, the women affected by the war. When they first opened, they had 900 women to whom they gave trauma counseling, discipleship, literacy classes, and business and sustainability instruction. Living Hope employs the women in tailoring as well as the production of peanut butter. 

Living Hope also offers women who have been disfigured the opportunity to have reconstructive surgery in Kampala. Recently, ten ladies were able to have their noses, ears, and lips reconstructed, giving them a renewed sense of beauty and confidence.

Women work at Living Hope as tailors, making dolls, table runners and place mats, along with special orders.

A woman sews a doll

Women shelling peanuts, called "ground nuts" here, to make peanut butter.

Hope, supervisor for peanut butter production, Amanda and Jessica, our tour guide.

Hope labeling a finished container of peanut butter.

Jessica, our tour guide, and me

"The Living Hope Centre will be a place where vulnerable women will come and be redeemed, adored, cared for and given back their life."- Marilyn Skinner

"Living Hope- Restoring Dignity to Vulnerable Women"

****

And now for fun, culture facts! 

Remember Nokia phones? The ones that you had to press a number three times to text the letter you wanted, or use T-9 (which I hate)? That's the phone several of us have here in Uganda, and we have figured something out: if you talk with the back of the phone toward you, so the keypad is facing out, the sound quality is greatly improved. 

****

People have different names here. I know several people named Innocent, Peace, and Patience, and I've met a lady named Prudence and a baby called Happy. But today I met the winner.

Amanda and I were wandering through the markets looking at the dresses the women were selling. Seeing skirts that caught her eye, Amanda walked to a stall surrounded by women, and I followed. A lady stood in front holding a beautiful newborn baby. I work with babies; I couldn't resist. 

"Let me see your baby!" When I asked the baby's name, she responded, "She is called Fabulous."

Fabulous?

"Fabulous?" I asked. 

"Yes, Fabulous," she smiled.

"That's Fabulous!" I smiled back.

****

Thanks, everyone for your prayers! I appreciate them so much! God is doing amazing things through Watoto, and He is doing amazing things in and through me. I'm so thankful for all of your support. With thirty-two days left to go... thirty-two?!... I appreciate your prayers more than ever. 

Love and prayers!

<3, Robin