Stories

A CHILDHOOD TAKEN A Childhood Taken: Martin walked us to the very place where he had hid, fearing the rebels and fearing for his life. There, high in a tree, he hid and watched as the LRA rebels attacked his village. He had been just 12 years old. Sadly, at 12 years old, Martin was…

War has taken much from Alice… family members, freedoms and childhood. Yet to look Alice in the eyes today is to see not a victim, but a survivor. A strong, beautiful survivor. At 14 years old, her village was attacked and burned to the ground. She and many boys and girls were taken from their home and…

Sometimes something touches your heart so deeply that “doing nothing” isn’t an option anymore. It becomes more about finding a way to make a change than it is about finding excuses. Not because the fear goes away, but because the hunger to do Something is deeper than being afraid. That’s how Exile International was born. It was…

from survivor to leader At 15, Arthur’s home, family and village were violently attacked by a rebel army. That day he was taken from his home and forced to become a child soldier… forced to see and engage in acts of destruction… forced to witness countless acts of murder and rape.   After 3 years, he…

reclaiming her independence Thanks to opportunities to make and sell her jewelry, Angela is reclaiming the independence that was once stolen by the LRA. Today, she is able to care for her children and save money to buy her own land. Angela also leads local development projects serving young mothers and children who were formerly…

Congolese, former child soldiers (from Exile’s program in Goma, DR Congo) wrote letters to their peers in northern Uganda – child survivors of the LRA. The following transcribes one teen’s powerful message of encouragement, hope and blessing. – – – – – Dear brothers and sisters in Uganda, We great you in Jesus name, Shalom.…

Stepping back in time on Thursdays to remember and learn from old memories.  Here’s a blog from our founder – originally posted on October 18, 2009. – – – I have come to realize my favorite thing about cooler weather. There are many. The slight bite in the air that causes you to hug yourself…

Dear Friends, My fingers are typing this in Nashville, but my heart is with our children & team in DR Congo where bullets and mortars have, again, begun to fly (BBC). My heart is there, and it is hurting. Hurting for the boys recently rescued from the bush who need physical and emotional rehabilitation from the…

Stepping back on Thursdays to remember and learn from old memories.  Here’s a blog from our founder – originally posted on June 12, 2011 – http://theheartofexile.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-am-not-dirty-anymore.html – – – I am not dirty anymore. Not like I have been. Especially the last few weeks. There is no longer dirt under my nails that I can’t keep…

Nathan was one of the first child survivors sponsored through Exile Int’l. Abducted by rebel forces at 14 after his family was killed, Nathan spent several years witnessing and being forced to participate in terrible acts of violence. Thanks to God’s grace, we’ve watched Nathan heal and grow into a confident leader and positive role model while participating in the programs at the Peace Lives…