Crippled by Kony, Healed by Jesus – Gulu, Uganda – Day 1

Dear Mission Partners,

Greetings from Gulu, Northern Uganda.  Right now, we are in the middle of the territory where the infamous Joseph Kony inflicted his long and bloody reign of terror.  The people of Gulu endured 20 years of war and experienced some of the worst atrocities known to man.  Mass graves, child soldiers, mutilations, rape, murder and genocide are words that come to mind when one thinks of this place.  But Gulu has just entered into a new season – one of salvation, blessing and miracles.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon us because he has anointed us to preach the Gospel to the poor, He has sent us to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18)  It is a new day for Gulu!

Menacing clouds darkened the sky for most of the day threatening to wash out our open-air meeting with an East African monsoon, but we went forward to the campaign ground in faith. When we arrived many thousands had already gathered (see the attached picture).  As I preached a crystal clear Gospel message, the rain began to drizzle, but nobody budged.  The message landed in the hearts of the people and was received with great joy.  Thousands received Jesus Christ as Savior and then I began to pray for the sick…

I had the impression that the people of Gulu have never seen anything like what happened tonight.  They were silent as I began to pray, but then, from all over the field, shrieks and cries began to ring out.  Demoniacs were manifesting demons and many were receiving miraculous healings.

·      An old woman told us that many years ago, during the war, someone from Joseph Kony’s LRA had chopped her knee with a machete and she had been crippled ever since.  Tonight, during the prayer for the sick, she felt the power of God come over her and she is now completely healed!  When the people heard this testimony the reaction was unforgettable.  So many of them had been wounded, physically and emotionally during this time, but now Jesus was here, healing the wounds and pouring out His love.  It was a powerful and prophetic moment that set the tone for the rest of the evening.

·      A girl who had been a hunchback for 7-years, stood up straight for the first time tonight and can now walk normally!

·      A woman who had been insane for 6-years, even walking through the town naked, came to her right mind tonight!

·      A demoniac was delivered and born again tonight after 15 years of demon possession!

These are a few of the many testimonies of God’s goodness through Jesus Christ that we heard tonight.  I am sure there is much more to come.  Stay tuned…

Yours in the Harvest,
Evangelist Daniel Kolenda
Together with Reinhard Bonnke and the whole CfaN team

Arrival at Gulu

Pictures by O. Volyk