Fifth Time’s a Charm
Anyone who is reading this without knowing who I am, who Henry is, or why I keep going to Uganda should probably first read the relatively brief “About Us” and “Background” entries on this website for context before proceeding on.
Today I am flying out of LAX to Entebbe, Uganda via Amsterdam. I am heading back to Uganda for a fifth time since January of 2010 and this trip promises to be the most fun and satisfying yet.
The “fun” part derives from the fact that I am joining Bob Goff on this trip – one of the most whimsical, thoughtful, and inspiring guys I have ever met. (His twitter posts are also the most thoughtful and inspiring out there). The “satisfying” part derives from the fact that I will be attending Henry’s graduation on Sunday from the Restore Leadership Academy. I met Henry (and his younger brother Joseph) in a juvenile prison in January of 2010, and since then, he has basically become our fourth child.
Henry was released from prison in June of 2010, and immediately enrolled in the Restore Leadership Academy, which was founded by Bob Goff several years ago to provide educational and leadership training for many of the otherwise lost generation of kids in Northern Uganda. Gulu, where the school is located, was ground zero for the decade-long war waged by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Along with the brutal violence against the citizens of Northern Uganda, the LRA kidnapped young boys and conscripted them into their rebel army. In around 2005, the LRA was driven out of Northern Uganda into Congo, leaving Gulu and the surrounding area in ruins.
Joline and I have been privileged to pay the relatively small cost of enrolling Henry and Joseph in the Restore Academy. I still talk to Henry every week – he, like people most in Uganda, has a cell phone. In fact, I talked to him yesterday morning and confirmed that all the arrangements have been made for his parents to be brought from his home village of Hoima to Gulu for Henry’s graduation. I have not told Henry that I am coming. This week, Henry finishes S4, which completes his “O” level of education. In February, Henry will enroll in a new school for the two-year “A” level of his high school education (S5 and S6).
One of the purposes of this trip is to try to prepare the way for Henry to be admitted into the top science “A” level program in Uganda, which is located in Kampala. Henry’s dream is to be a doctor one day. Also on this trip, I hope to meet with several judges and other government officials to better solidify the projects on which my family and I will be working when we move to Kampala in January of 2012. I will also be meeting with the Ugandan lawyer who has been assisting me as I prepare to argue on Henry’s behalf in the Ugandan Court of Appeals. Originally, the argument was set to take place in September of 2011, but it keeps getting pushed back due to litigation surrounding Uganda’s February, 2011 Parliamentary and Presidential elections. (Under Uganda’s Constitution, election petitions have absolute priority on the courts’ calendars)
My hope is to provide updates every day or two on this website. I am grateful for your prayers.
Glory to God! We’ll be praying for all of you. We are so thankful you are making a difference in this part of our world. Love, Trellys
God bless you, Jim. Don’t drink the water!
Tom
I shall surely tell my frindes about my adventure.But, again, eco-tourism must not reflect a trip to the zoo!! A trip to Uganda is going to cost me (ie, any US national) at least $2400.00 usd.. and that a lot of money to spend to see a dirty crowded city and take a visit to the zoo’.Perhaps I’m being unfair and the problem lies with the fact that the cameras were aimed where the interviewees were at the moment.But, this is supposed to be an award-winning feature!!My dream is
Hot damn, looking pretty useful buddy.
Help, I’ve been informed and I can’t become ignorant.
It’s like you’re on a mission to save me time and money!
I’m impressed. You’ve really raised the bar with that.
Thank you Jim and all your precious family for extending the love of Christ across the world through the faithful execution of your gifts. Please know that I pledge to pray fervently for you on every Monday – mission day. I am so thrilled that you will be posting to this website so that I can “be there” with all of you.
Peace and joy, Cherie
Thanks, Cherie. We appreciate your prayers.
We can’t wait to here about what God does through your family in this great adventure that is participating in the Kingdom of God. The more we’re willing to risk the more God can use us. There is no such thing as a risk-free faith.
Is that the same Bob Goff that Donald Miller writes about in his book “A Million miles in a Thousand Years”?
Yep, same Bob Goff.
Jim, I love following what you are doing in Uganda. God is working through you in such an incredible way. One of my favorite stories is the starfish story and you are really throwing those starfish, one by one, back into the sea. God’s sea. We are excited for Joline and your three precious children (all of whom I have loved at CBS) to come with you.
Keep going – Love, Becky
Thanks, Becky. Joline considers you to be a dear friend and mentor in the faith. We are grateful for your prayers and interest in where God is leading us.