I don't dance....but....

Today we left for Gulu. A city in northern Uganda. 5 hour drive out of the city. It was really nice to get out and see more of the country.
I was thankful to have Doug and Brian with us on our journey (they are the two that have been taking us around representing Not For Sale and Global Exchange). On our way they explained the history as we drove north. They talked about where the war started and what the rebels did. It's one thing to see it in a movie or even a documentary, but to be driving through where it actually took place was a feeling of its own. Even though the villages were put back together they explained that a lot of the huts that were burned down, they rebuilt with brick instead for more safety. We drove by where the IDP camps were/are, the road where Joseph Kony grew up and saw all the people that had once fled their own village only to come back and continue living. I learned that Doug's village was affected by the rebels in a big way. It was definitely something I will remember forever.
When we finally got to Gulu we went to a rehabilitation place for women. This is their story, they mostly lived in the Congo only to find themselves in Uganda because the military from Uganda who had gone to fight in the war used these women for sex, told them they would take them back to Uganda and marry them. These women followed these men back to find the military men married with families. Because they had no money they prostituted themselves to make money.
Let me tell you...when we met these women, they were full of joy, real joy. They learned how to make bread and sell it to people in the village to earn a living.
Their smiles are sunshine. They said over and over "praise God". The fact that these women can go through something like that and still say praise God....that will make you check yourself the next time you want to blame God for something awful in your life or it will make you consider how your circumstances can turn to joy with work and a choice. They hugged us, blew us kisses and said they loved us as we bought some of their delicious bread. I want be Lovely to be apart of what is going on there. They need a new stove and more things for cooking. We were able to take pictures with them. I can't wait to share their beautiful faces!
Next stop, Undugu Family. This place started of as a place for child soldiers to rehabilitate. It started with an incredible man with a passion. We had no idea this was going to happen but as we drove up they all turned around and started to clap. They immediately called us family. And instantly we felt like family. It was the most humbling experience. There were so many people and kids. Now, there are more kids there that arent only child soldiers. But to see kids that had to go through the war as they did after driving through where the war was, made it even more real. They did tribal dances for us and sang. They did it all for us. It drew a huge crowd. Now, if you know me, you know I don't dance much. This time I had no choice, the asked us up there and there was a crowd of us just dancing together. Im not gonna lie, i danced my ass off! :) I had so much fun...who woulda thought. They fed us a meal and continues to dance the night away. I also have pictures and videos of this that I'm excited to share!
We will be staying here the next two nights and then head back to kampala.

As the representative of be Lovely, I am honored to be apart and my voice will not be silent for the people I have met. be Lovely WILL make a difference...across the world. In the states and in Uganda, no boundaries! I hope this inspires people that could use be Lovely product or ones that hear about this movement because be Lovely is going to change the world, one heart at a time! All of us...together.

Love from Uganda!