First order of business: I got my passport back safely! Four days after the robbery, I got an email from the US Embassy in Uganda saying that my passport had recently been turned into them. WHAT?! Is this real life? The email told me to report to the Embassy on Mondays or Thursdays from 9 am-11 am. You better believe that I found a way back down to Kampala on Wednesday, so I would be to the Embassy at 9 am sharp on Thursday. I prayed and prayed for a smooth and easy process of retrieval. I wasn’t naive enough to forget that even though I was now dealing with Americans, this is still Africa–nothing ever happens the way or time you anticipate. I was prepared to do whatever it took to get my identification (and sanity) back. The Lord answered those prayers with an astounding “yes”! The toughest part of the whole experience was having to go through security and entrust ALL of my belongings to them, while I entered the Embassy. (Yes, I am still working through the trust issues and hardening of my heart that comes with the violation of being robbed, but the Lord is slowly teaching and healing me.)

I entered the Embassy, prepared to sit and wait all day. There was even a TV in the room; never have I been so excited in my life to watch the news, nor have I ever been so disappointed to stop watching the news! I didn’t even have time to finish one whole news story before they called me into another room. I sat down at the window, and the American lady asked me for my ID. I gave her the copy of my passport, and she said, “Well, I see your face and I can’t argue with this picture.” Then she handed my passport to me. Simple as that! I asked if they had received anything else along with the passport, but nothing else had been turned in. I thanked the lady and pretty much every person I saw on my way out–I was so grateful! Because the process was so quick, and there was a slight delay for the McCalls, I was even able to catch a ride back up to Karuma with them that same day. God is so good, all the time.

The good news doesn’t stop there.

If you recall, I ended my last blog talking about the most important thing from this whole situation was the conviction and salvation of this criminal. Even though the situation was mostly resolved from my perspective, I still felt compelled to pray for the man’s change of heart. Here’s the story of why I truly believe I will one day see that man in heaven (I have goosebumps just typing this story!): A few days ago, I received a call from my missionary friend in Kampala. She said, “Kelsey, you’ll never believe this, but they have caught the thief!” I laughed out loud in disbelief, because sadly, I know the police force doesn’t usually work hard, unless there is a bribe involved.  My friend continued to explain the story. (I spoke to several people who had been involved with helping me, and there were some parts of their stories that conflicted each other, so I’m going to give you my best interpretation of what happened.) My friends got a call from the police saying that they had caught the criminal, so they needed me to come down to the police station to sort this out. Before they called me, four of my friends went down to the police station to see what was going on. (Side note: I have some of the best Ugandan friends anyone could ask for. I am blessed to have so many people here who care so deeply for me, and are willing to always go to bat for me.) They saw the criminal in holding and he had been seriously beaten. His story was that he felt convicted to return my wallet. On his way to the Embassy to return my things, his “friends” found out that he had stolen my wallet, and as punishment, they took everything from him, beat him, and turned him in. He somehow managed to get my passport from them and give it to the police. This is where the story is hazy. My passport got turned into the Embassy, but a bag with all the rest of my belongings remains at the police station. The police told my friends that they cannot release my things until I come in person to the station and sort this out. This is when my friends called me and asked what I wanted to do.

I felt like I had already closed the case in my own mind. I told my friends that I didn’t want to take this any further. I didn’t want spend any more money for investigation and court cases. It wasn’t worth the headache and heartache to reopen the memories and emotions that came from the trauma of this event. I didn’t feel that I had any place to judge or punish the criminal. The Lord brought to my mind the story of Moses when the Lord says to him over and over again, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Let my people go, so that they may worship me.'” So I obeyed what the Lord was clearly saying to me, and I simply told them to let the man go.

The whole situation continued to weigh heavily on my heart, and I prayed to God that he would give me peace about the situation. I honestly wanted the criminal to be set free of his burdens and to know Jesus in his own heart. The next morning at devotions, we read from Luke 23.

As Jesus and the criminals are hanging on their crosses, the bible says, “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at (Jesus): ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'” Amen. Thank you, God, for being sovereign and my Prince of Peace.

I look forward to the day that I meet the man who stole my wallet, and I can give him a hug and tell him I’m overjoyed to be spending eternity with him and our King.

Praises and Prayer Requests:

+ Either I am doing a better job of listening to the Lord or He is speaking more clearly 😉 Either way, I am ever grateful for a deeper more intimate relationship with Him through my time here.

– I have developed a painful rash on my neck and face that the doctors are uncertain what it is or what caused it. Although, I am being treated and it seems to be getting better. Pray for continued healing.

+ and – I am a very relational person. My heart is always happy to have visitors come to RG because I love meeting new people, but it’s sometimes hard to say goodbye to new friends. Continue to pray for the visitors and teams who are helping and shaping the people of this country and RG, as well as touching and shaping me.

Much love and gratitude,

Auntie Kelsey