Meet David, who works as head of security at GSF. We thank him for making sure that those at GSF are safe and protected day after day! David began working as a GSF guard in 2014 and was promoted to Head of Security in 2016 because of his talent in management and love for the people here. He lives in a nearby town with his wife and three precious daughters!
In August 1997, David was returning to his hometown of Arua for a visit when he was abducted by Joseph Kony’s LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) and made into a child soldier. Though he was threatened with death several times, David persevered and thus received the name “Chandia (trouble) David,” for his stubbornness. After enduring many horrific demands from his commanders, David was eventually sentenced to death by the head of the army. David decided to pray to God for the first time. The next morning—the day he was sentenced to die—David escaped the LRA and fled for his life.
A beautiful story of redemption began to unfold in David’s life. David was reunited with his family. He eventually applied for a job at GSF and was accepted. And the greatest redemption of all: a fellow employee at GSF shared the Gospel with David and he re-dedicated his life to Jesus Christ. David now uses his experience to counsel fathers and youth in his community. He testifies that God is truly the one doing the work through him.
David says that GSF has transformed his life by teaching him about the Lord. When David went back home to visit his family, they said, “David, it’s not you. You have really changed!” David could not agree more. He has taken Trauma Healing classes at GSF to help him heal emotionally and mentally from the trauma of the LRA. Now he has even progressed to teaching these classes! Twenty-five people have come to saving faith in Christ through David’s story, and he hopes for many more.
The Lord has used GSF in a great way in David’s life to bring him back to Christ, the true source of forgiveness and life. David’s life is filled with so much redemption, joy, and hope. This calls to mind Philippians 1:6, which says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”