War Dance

Hello out there! I have to share with you about a movie we watched recently called War Dance. Maybe you've heard of it or maybe you've even seen it. It's about a tribe of people in Northern Uganda living in a refugee camp because rebels have destroyed their homes, brutally killed members of their families and left many, many children orphaned. I believe they said something like 200,000 children in Uganda are orphans due to the rebel attacks... and this was filmed back in 2005 so I can't even imagine how many more there are now.
The children in this film are in the music program at their school and are preparing for a big competition with other schools from all over Uganda. I won't tell you everything in case you want to watch the movie, and I definitely encourage you to do so, but I will say that it has changed me. Ever since the Lord has called us to begin this adoption journey He's been opening our eyes and hearts more and more to the circumstances that people are living in and the brutality they are experiencing all over the world, but lately in Africa. Some of these kids have seen things and been forced to do things that no one should ever have to experience. The violence that has filled their lives, for most of them it's all they've ever known, is beyond description. It turns my stomach. Little girls being raped and young boys being abducted, forced to join the rebel army and commanded to kill. It sickens me.

We've seen documentaries on Darfur, Rwanda, etc. All of these places in similar situations...Genocide, devastation. The thing that spoke to me in War Dance was the hope that the music and dancing brought to these kids. A hope for a better future. When they were singing and dancing, they were free! Free from the pain and nightmares of war. Free to just be kids and enjoy themselves. When they start to move and the smiles start to come ever their precious faces, it's like you're seeing a transformation from the Lord. It's so sweet, my heart melts.

I am so thankful for those who are able to go to places like that and make these films so we can see what's going on in the world and realize how much need is out there and how screwed up our priorities are here in America. I mean, people are living in make shift tents with one sheet separating them from the family next to them in camps in places like Sudan while we are putting ourselves and our country into deeper debt every day to have the big fancy house and nice car. While I don't think there is anything wrong with having nice things, there comes a point were it's just too much. I could go on for hours about that, but I won't here.

So basically, watch the movie and see if you don't feel the same. :-)

L