The end of a nightmare

The last of the 30 Aboke girls abducted from their catholic boarding school in Northern Uganda by the LRA 13 years ago has returned to Uganda yesterday.  Her father is a doctor, and she was in Senior two at the time she was taken (Julia's grade now) which is perhaps part of the emotional impact of the story for me.  149 girls were herded out of their dorms by force that night, and most were rescued when an Italian nun who worked at the school followed the rebels on foot and pleaded for their release (yes, one person can make a difference).  The LRA kept 30, however, and over the years Sister Rachel and the parents and friends of the girls have continued to advocate and pray, slowly seeing most of the girls released, thought 2 died.  This return closes an long and painful chapter of Ugandan history, and brings to completion a remarkable story of faith and perseverance.  A book about the incident, The Aboke Girls, is recommended reading.  Meanwhile Catherine Ajok must reintegrate into a life she left long ago, and she will never be the same.  She returns with a toddler whom she says was fathered by the LRA leader and wanted war-crimes perpetrator Joseph Kony himself.  She has spent 13 years in jungle camps, moving from battle to battle, and one of a harem of war wives.  Her picture in the paper speaks of a calmness and hope.  Let us pray that her life pictures true redemption, good coming from evil.