Uganda & Kony 2012

 For the past fourteen months or so, Uganda's been on my heart again (I spent two months there in 2007). Since last May, I've been praying about the possibility of returning there for a longer period of time, and since June I've been looking into opportunities with YWAM Uganda (www.ywamuganda.org). Since August, it has been my hope to head to Uganda at some point in 2012 for a discipleship training school (DTS)-- a six-month school that starts with three months of studying Scripture and the character of God and how He relates to the situations found in Uganda, and then continues with two or three months of outreach as a means of blessing communities elsewhere in East Africa.

So that's my background. I don't claim to have a ton of authority, but I love Uganda, and I have a little more experience with and personal investment in the country and the people than your average American 20-something-year-old.

That said, I was very intrigued when a video about Uganda and its struggles began showing up all over my Facebook page a few weeks ago.

Having looked into it a little further, here's where I stand. I'm obviously all about ending the use of child soldiers and sex slaves. But I'm also about doing it in a real, transparent, Christ-like, holistic, lasting way. I do appreciate Invisible Children's work in just plain getting the word out. But my heart is to see people really look into the issue beyond the user-friendly, one-time-only involvement fads, and find a way (be it praying, going, giving, advocating/sharing/speaking up) to contribute to lasting change.

If your heart has been stirred up by the Kony 2012 video and the very real heartbreak of the people of Uganda, praise God. Do a little research, and find a way to contribute to an organization that's there on the ground, operating in a sustainable and realistic, practical, transparent way, seeking to rebuild and sow forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing rather than vengeance.

You can start by reading the following articles for a little more information and inspiration, and practical places to start.
 
A good basic rundown on the situation in Uganda and the Invisible Children organization
A beautiful perspective by an amazing woman on the ground in South Sudan, just above the Ugandan border
A follow-up from the above woman (Michele Perry) with action steps
One more resource for information on IC, the reality of Uganda, and practical ways to help