Child Sacrifice in Uganda

The other day I was in a police office in Uganda seeing an official. While I was there, someone called, apparently asking about the current state of various problems in Uganda. The officer replied that violent crime was on the decrease, several other problems were on the decrease, but then he said something that really caught my ear. "There now remains only the problem of ritual sacrifice." Then today I picked up several Ugandan newspapers. On the second page of the first newspaper, the same topic again. An article on child sacrifice. Several hundred Ugandan children had written a letter and signed their names begging the president to do something about the problem of child sacrifice. The children said the current state of affairs made them afraid to go to school.

Lord, we have such a very long way to go. Please show us the way. Show us how Every Child Ministries should be involved. Teach us to value our children--not just our own children, but all of our children, the next generation. In Jesus' name I offer this prayer for the children of Africa.

One Step Forward--How Many Back?

Here I am in Uganda on this, The Day of the African Child. I am so happy again to reconnect with the branch of my BIG African family that lives and works here. But I am so tired, trying to recover funds embezzled by our former National Director here, David Lubaale. It's taking so much of my time and energy, running back and forth to the police, trying to dig up confirmation for every transaction. It's so disheartening. A man we all loved and trusted, a man for whom we had such high hopes, a man of so much potential. Instead of doing this I want to be working with the staff here to see how we can improve our programs, develop new ones, help more children. Lord, give me strength to persevere so that we can get beyond this. As I work with the staff to try to develop systems that will ensure this never happens again, guide us all. Help us to rebuild trust. Help us to settle this issue so that we can get back to helping African children. Help us to regain the funds so that we can use them to offer hope to children who need it so desperately. In Jesus' name I ask these favors. Amen!