Transformation by Floris Bijlsma of the Netherlands
She doesn’t know exactly how old she is, but Sagal assumes she’s around 65, which is considered very old due to the poor living conditions in the area. She resides in the village of Atedeoi, situated fifteen kilometers outside Moroto, where huts with thatched roofs are common and surrounded by a fence made of branches.
As a child, she grew up believing in ancestral spirits, as is customary in Karamojaland, where these spirits are thought to inhabit trees or reside near rivers. Men are traditionally responsible for worshipping these spirits at a shrine, usually located some distance outside the village. In the past, the deceased were not buried but rather tied to tree trunks, allowing wild animals to consume the body, with the bones eventually scattered over a large area, signifying that the soul remained in the tree.
In times of trouble, such as drought, men seek guidance from spiritual healers to appease the ancestral spirits, believed to be punishing the community. Advice may involve sacrificing a cow or goat in a designated manner and place. In the past, human sacrifices were not uncommon but are now illegal. Sagal recalls witnessing such practices.
The introduction of a Catholic church in the area intrigued Sagal, prompting her to attend out of curiosity. She found solace in the faith’s teachings, particularly its emphasis on regular worship and overarching spiritual strength. However, her parents, like many others of their generation, opposed her Christian faith, viewing it as a challenge to their authority and village traditions. Weekly church attendance clashed with their agricultural responsibilities and societal expectations, making it difficult for Sagal to openly practice her faith.
Despite her parents’ disapproval, Sagal maintained her connection to Christianity, occasionally attending church services clandestinely. Marriage and motherhood further constrained her ability to participate actively in religious activities, as women bore the bulk of domestic responsibilities. Meanwhile, her husband adhered to traditional practices, seeking guidance from spiritual healers during crises.
The arrival of the Pentecostal Church brought significant change to Sagal’s life. With services held in the village under a tree, faith became more accessible, leading to a deepening of her religious convictions. While some men resisted the church’s teachings, others recognized its tangible benefits, such as community support and aid for the disadvantaged.
Amidst societal shifts, Aleper observed a blending of old traditions with Christianity within her village. Despite initial resistance, more men and women embraced the Pentecostal faith, drawn by its perceived power and tangible benefits.
As the region grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Sagal witnessed a resurgence of traditional rituals alongside church services, reflecting the community’s desperation for divine intervention. With the pandemic’s wane and improved living conditions, interest in church services surged again, reinforcing villagers’ gratitude and faith in God’s protection.
Motivated by a desire for spiritual closeness, Sagal decided to be baptized, symbolizing her complete surrender to God. The baptism ceremony, held in the Nakiloro River, marked a significant spiritual milestone for her, providing a newfound sense of peace and liberation from life’s worries. For Sagal, the transformation from Sagal to Hellen represents the most profound change she has experienced, signifying her deepening faith and personal growth. – Transformation by Floris Bijlsma of the Netherlands
Little prayer request, on Monday some health inspection people are coming. Can everyone pray that it goes well? Oh, and little Nakudi has been super upset with everything lately and crying all the time. If everyone could pray that she’s filled with lots of joy? Thank you!
Four of the older boys came home early from boarding school this week, they finished their exams and were able to come back this week instead of in December, which is crazy early! I haven’t gotten to know them very well yet but their English is very good! One of the boys, John, is (I’m pretty sure) the tallest person I’ve ever stood by, like a giant. I’ve been told that when all the boys come back in December we will get to play and see some very good football games!! I’m super excited! Even the younger boys here are so talented and if they’re saying that comparatively, the older boys are so much better, wow I just can’t wait to watch. I’ve been playing more and more lately and I love getting back into the groove of it. Everyone here is an Arsenal fan with very few Manchester united and Chelsea fans. They all keep up with the games and they get very animated when they talk about the sport!
Rebekah is also going to Kampala again next Wednesday and she’s taking Veronica and one of the older boys, Jon, with her. She is going to pay for some surgeries that are going to happen in January. I might not be remembering correctly but I think she said something like 4 children were going to go for surgeries then. Veronica is going so they can look and examine her legs and see what is to be done and if they can help her be able to walk. Jon has been in many surgeries and just needs one more on his knee so he is going to get examined and then he will learn when he can get the surgery. He was in a serious accident when he was young and it screwed up and broke his hip. His parents never took him to the hospital, maybe they didn’t know it was broken, and it gone infected and much of his hip bone deteriorated. Later his hip bone and his pelvis fused together and the had to get a surgery for that. He can now walk without crutches but due to the way he walked for so long affected his knee in a very negative way. He really needs a knee replacement but the doctors don’t want to due to him still being so young (18 yrs) and so he will get it sorta fixed soon and then need a knee replacement surgery later in life. So they will all be going to Kampala for a few days and Rebekah is leaving Joseph, on of her very trusted older boys who got here on Wednesday, and I in charge. Thankfully though, Rebekah says he will handle all of the medicine so there is no possible way for me to stress haha!! 
