The Fire

Today is back in the fire of the reality of life here. Most of the morning was spent at the local police station trying to create enough of a scene to keep a man who raped a four year old girl in jail. She is the younger sister of one of the young men who works with Come Let's Dance. Shane and I took the Criminal Investigator along with the man's wife (who had to go to unlock the gate) to the house where it happened. The young girl described the incident to him. The neighbors are upset that this family is causing trouble. The process continues only if the pressure to make an example of this man continues - which requires calls and "appreciation" (money) to the officials. It was difficult as I stood there, holding the hand of a four year old girl, standing less than five feet from the man's wife, wondering where does one go from here. I was asked what did I think about so much trouble by one of the young pastors. I told him it is the cancerous nature of sin - it spreads and kills, far beyond one person, whatever he has done to this girl, it has spread into this community and impacted so many.

The second explosion hit closer to home as Shane received a call from a man claiming to be the father of a young girl who has lived with her for the last two years after her mother died of AIDS. It is difficult to know what his intentions are as at the time of her mother's death he was thought to be dead as well. The family system here is challenging to understand. Children are given away and put out so freely; but when a wedding, an achievement, or in this case potential adoption occurs the family appears with expectations of contributions. Please pray as the road ahead I am sure will be difficult.

The time here has illuminated the deep need and value of caring for children in the context of community. I have been constantly reminded of many of the children in the TNL community and of the responsibility together we share to care for them. Today is Tuesday in Uganda and my thoughts are with those worshiping together at TNL. May the peace of Christ be with you.

Grace and peace.
Jared