Luke 6:27-36
Before you read on, please be warned that you might find part of the content of this article distressing as it is about child sacrifice attacks in Uganda. I recently came across a story about a Christian lawyer by the name of Bob Goff. One of his passions is providing legal services for people in need in Uganda, especially children.
On one trip, he learned about a common barbaric practice where witch doctors in villages would abduct children and offer them up for ritualistic sacrifice. Unfortunately, no witch doctor has ever faced justice. For a start, the lack of evidence – young victims never survive. People who have lost children are too afraid of the witch doctors to press charges, while lawyers and judges are too afraid to prosecute.
One day, an 8 year old boy, Charlie, was abducted by Kabi, a witch doctor, while he was walking home from school. He was mutilated and left for dead but he miraculously survived while Kabi was arrested. For the first time in Uganda’s history, there is a victim who could testify in court.
Bob decided to try the case. He found a judge who was willing to preside over the trial. During the trial, Charlie courageously pointed to Kabi as the man who tried to kill him. Kabi was found guilty and sentenced to 50 years in jail. It became a landmark case and set a precedent for justice and change in the country.
Bob started thinking about Kabi. He embodied evil and as far as he was concerned, Kabi can rot in jail. Then he began reflecting on Jesus’ words to love our enemies. How could he love such a man? What would it even look like? God began working on Bob’s heart. He knew he couldn’t remain in hate. One day he decided to visit Kabi in prison. When Kabi saw Bob, he fell to his knees and expressed deep remorse over what he had done to Charlie. “I know I’m going to die in here. What I really need is forgiveness”.
Bob’s initial response was, “No way!” However, Bob’s heart began to soften even more. They continued talking before Kabi said he wanted to put his faith in Jesus. Over time, Bob and Kabi became friends.
One more thing…after Kabi’s trial, Bob went around Uganda meeting with witch doctors. He told them to stop their practice or they would face the same fate as Kabi. He didn’t stop there. He asked them what they needed. They told him they were illiterate. So Bob set up a school to teach them how to read and write. Hundreds have graduated with some becoming Christians. One of the books they use to teach them to read is the Bible. “Love your enemies, do good to them. Bless them and pray for them”, Jesus said.
Following Jesus,
Mark Ng
Recent Comments