Bonnie's Testimony

(I have written his testimony the best I could. It would be awesome if I got his story on the camcorder...but I wasn't thinking! The tongue he tells his story in, and the passion, and the knowledge of how God brought him through his trials was so amazing and humbling to hear.)

Bonnie is one of twelve children, and the tenth born. In Uganda it is custom for one to support their children financially and education being a part of that obligation. During the time Bonnie was being raised it was ordinary for one to pay for public education. Now it is free, but there are still fees for books and such. In order for Bonnie's siblings and him to go to school his parents had to sell property to pay for schooling.

When Bonnie was between 11-13 years his father had no more money. It was typical for families to sell cattle or land to support the education, but Bonnie's parents ran out of money. It was decided and agreed upon that his parents would sell the rest of their land, pay for the older children's education, and when the older kid's graduated and started working they would pay for their younger sibling's education. With that agreement, land was sold and they moved into the village. Bonnie never saw electricity, running water nor toilets.

Bonnie's oldest brother graduated and became succesful. His brother chose Bonnie over all his other siblings to come and live with him. The life they lived was great - very exciting at such an impressionable age. He was driven around in the company car, and Bonnie was proud, always very excited. His brother lived a worldly life, and had a girlfriend who lived with him. However, they soon married after Bonnie's arrival. But with this life came temptations. Bonnie's brother waisted his life with alcohol and many women. He never knew God. Because of his lifestyle he contracted AIDS. He was moved to the hospital, stayed in a private wing for people with money, and then requested to see his parents. By the time his parents came, Bonnie's brother was in a coma and then died.

Bonnie remained with his brother's wife for two months. His brother and sister-in-law and a four month old boby. The baby died three months after Bonnie's brother's death. The wife and mother started getting sick and then died too.

Bonnie then moved in with his second oldest brother who was in the University and also working. His brother became sick, and had to go to the hospital. There Bonnie stayed by his brother's bed for seven days, before his brother's death.

The third oldest brother was just entering the University and was still needing support himself, so Bonnie did not go to live with him.

The fourth born was bad. He had deserted the army and was constantly getting into trouble, and was jail bound. Bonnie ended up statying with him until he was put in jail.

Bonnie then went to stay with the fifth born brother. His lifestyle wasn't any different than any of his previous brothers. His brother too became sick. Finally Bonnie had noticed all the sickness, all the death and asked his brother "are you going to die?", and his borther responded "yes, it's true." His brother made a deal with Bonnie, that Bonnie was not to die with AIDS - which meant no girls, no drugs, no alcohol. It wsan't until Bonnie's brother pleaded with tears that Bonnie took him seriously.

All five brothers died within two years, and all died because of AIDS.

All five brothers lived outside of Kapala. The fifth brother was renting a small one bedroom home, but hadn't paid rent for four months. Bonnie hadn't known when he returned to this home after his brother's death. The landowner came questioning about the missed rent money and Bonnie shared about what had happened with his brother. The landowner said "he didn't build the house for people with problems", and demanded Bonnie to gather everything and get out. Bonnie begged that he could stay, but the landowner just started throwing everything out. Bonnie gathered his things and placed them at the edge of the road. He had no where to go. He had a small radio and 3,000 shillings (from condolences). At 5:00 he became hungry so he took his shillings to get a meal, and at 10:00 he returned with a full stomach, no money and still nowhere to go. The was Bonnie's first night on the street (he was close to 17 yrs of age). He was frustrated at the landowner, who he thought was too proud, and he was determined to change his mind. Bonnie was unsuccesful.

Bonnie went to a family friend who was married with all daughters. After the family fed him, Bonnie explained his situation and asked to stay. The wife was concerned with Bonnie's motives and because they had all daughters Bonnie was refused.

Bonnie went to the slums. There he found a store person and asked if he could work. Bonnie was willing to do anything so he could stay. Bonnie then watched the store during the night in exchange for a place to stay - a bench outside the store.

Bonnie was now a street kid. He would go to the rubbish pile looking for something to eat.

Bonnie saw a man nearby who had lots of cows, so he went to him asking if he could fetch water for his cows for money. It was agreed. Bonnie worked, fetched the water, but no money was ever given. However he did receive meat and for that Bonnie was grateful. This man ended up transfering to another "branch" and hired a caregiver to take care of the cows. This caregiver ended Bonnie's job, for he wasn't needed. Bonnie returned to the rubbish piles, where he couldn't find food.

Bonnie remembered about his stay at the hospital when his brother was dying. He remembered the corn bread and beans that were served to the patients, and remembered how the sick patients didn't always eat their food. Bonnie went. He disguised himself as a worker, would retrieve the meals for the patients and then would eat it. After a week it was noticed how he came and went. Bonnie was caught and wasn't able to be there anymore.

Bonnie began to think how God wasn't fair. Bonnie saw others with many bananas, many chickens, much milk and some with big homes with only four people inside of it. Bonnie had nothing. He grew bitter.

Bonnie would play soccer with his friends. He saw how his friends enjoyed girls, drugs and alcohol. At this time he also met a rich man who happened to be very nice. He had asked Bonnie to stay at a house of his and gather all the ropes that tied the cows legs together. Bonnie agreed. Bonnie's friends discovered what Bonnie was doing and started coming into the house, and then bringing their "entertainment". Before long the girls (who were prostitutes) would get picked up from this house. Soon the homeowner discovered what was happening in his home and told Bonnie to go.

Bonnie had no money to stay at the village, no money for food and none for transportation to take him to his parent's home. Bonnie also had no more brothers to turn to. Bonnie began lying to people on the street that he had been beaten and his money had been stolen in order to survive. He did find another man who gave Bonnie a small job of counting cows, but it only lasted for a while. Bonnie returned back to the slums. He continued to look for food, but found nothing.

He found someone who was willing to hire Bonnie to clean, do the laundry, do everything for food. During the time the mother was gone, her boys made Bonnie work extra hard, each task given with a promise of food. When Bonnie completed the work they wouldn't give him the food as promised. Bonnie was hungry and cried. The boys teased him and threw the food on the rubbish pile. When the mother returned she made her boys get the food out of the pile and give it to Bonnie.

Bonnie cried. He hated God for his situation. He didn't feel cared for. He believed rich men where his enemy, for they were heartless, mean, and uncaring.

Bonnie continued to play soccer and played for a school for food. He played each time the team needed him, but soon realized he was being used. He stood up for himself and told the school he wouldn't play soccer anymore for them. The school offered Bonnie to attend the school, but Bonnie couldnt' afford it. He argued with the school master how the school is succesful, how they have many trophies because of Bonnie's talents and Bonnie was in need of schooling. The school finally agreed to pay half of the tuition, but Bonnie pressed on, telling the school master of the life he had and how he couldn't pay for anything. The school agreed to sponsor Bonnie. But Bonnie still didn't have a place to stay. It was at this school Bonnie finished primary school, and now had a yearning for secondary school.

Bonnie went to visit the secondary school and to try and get in. He went to the office, lied that the prinicpal was expeccting him and got to see her. But it was too late, admissions were the previous week, and now others were on their second visit. He told his story. It was then asked "who is going to pay for your schooling?" , and Bonnie replied "no one". She told him no once receives a sponsorship. He pleaded to work for his schooling but was only turned away. He left, and as he reached the gate he was called back to be accepted at the school - sponsored. Bonnie would walk to school, leaving at 5:30am, freshen up at school, go to school, then to work and walk back home, returning at 10:00pm.

Bonnie wanted to become a prefect and he did. He felt so big in his uniform He was a prefect for six years. In 2001 he finished school and then went back to the village. Bonnie did have another brother who was in the army, but because of health reasons he was released of duty and given some money. With that money he bought a one room house, one matress (that filled the room) and shared it all with Bonnie..

Bonnie had returned to the family friend who rejected him as asked him about a job. He was referred to a friend of theirs who ended up getting Bonnie a job with the government. Bonnie was ideal for the job because he was young and fresh out of school. He received his first 150,000 shillings and stood in awe and disbelief because he never held so much, and wondered what to do with it. His brother would live the same lifestyle his previous brothers did and would bring girls home. Bonnie didn't want that situation. so Bonnie went out, bought his own one room home and his own mattress. Bonnie still had his radio. As he lied in his bed, after being filled from eating and being quite satisfied, he listened to his music and was pleased. He thanked God. God had impressed upon him that he needed to give half of his salary to God for a thank offering.

Bonnie didn't have a church but knew of someone who went to KPC, so he went. He wanted to just go in, put his offering in and walk out. He sat in the balcony where he heard and sang praise songs. He heard the pstor preach - and preach about Bonnie's life. It was then Bonnie received Christ and was saved. (2002)

Bonnie attended discipleship classes for new believers, started in the ushering minsitry, attended and now leads a cell group. Bonnie found life in the church and joyed volunteering whenever he was given the chance. He would even take time off of work for certain events. It was through church, through volunteering that he learned and realized just how much God loved him. When KPC - North opened he went there and became a head usher.

After attending a Watoto conference, he was interviwed and then asked to join the ministry. Bonnie left his post office job and has been with Watoto ever since.

I visited Bonnie's home - a two bedroom home that would fit in my family room. He welcomes all into his home. He has taken in his nephew, who's dad died from AIDS and his mom has AIDS. Bonnie has a stove and cooking area in his bedroom. His cell group comes and meets in his living room each week. The toilet is outside where he shares it with the landlord who lives in a bigger house next door. He does his wash with a basin. And Bonnie is so proud of what he has. Bonnie also has a family now, through the body of Christ. Bonnie is so rich because he found his life through Christ and is so thankful for God and all He has seen Bonnie through. Bonnie's eyes express constant joy and excitement - always celebrating His God.