Jimmy's Journey

I was speaking to my husband, Jimmy, recently and I asked him why he wanted to share his story with others. His answer didn’t surprise me, because I already knew what an amazing man he is, thus why I married him.

He wants to share his story to you for you all to see that no matter how much hate and violence you’re surrounded by, no matter how much “evil” tries to tear you down you CAN still walk out with your head held up high and still be the person you know yourself to be. It doesn’t have to break your spirit, they don’t have to win.

Jimmy’s first direct contact with the LRA (Lord Resistance Army) was when he was around 6 years old. The villagers got word that the LRA rebels were coming, so all who were able to run in to the bush did so in hopes of not being abducted or murdered. Jimmy, being the youngest, stood by his grandmother’s side while he watched his older cousins take off into the bush. Not too aware of what exactly was going to happen, all he knew was “grandma’s not moving, so I’m not moving.”

Two rebels came towards them, all that was left were 2 elders and six year old Jimmy. But to grandma’s surprise the rebels had caught one of her sons, Jimmy’s uncle- Fred. Fred has a disability in his leg so the rebels wanted to kill him right then and there because they thought he would be of no use to them. As grandma screamed and pleaded for her son to not be murdered, Fred stood up, knowing his life depended on what he said next. He assured the rebels that he could run, that he could work and that he would be of more use alive than dead.

The rebels agreed and tied Fred up but before leaving one rebel turned to Jimmy, as he was held in grandma’s arms, and said “We’ll be back for you, when you’re old enough.”

Seven years later, they made good on the promise…

Support Jimmy and his Family's Nursery School in Northern Uganda - https://www.gofundme.com/for-the-future