Santo volunteered to fight for the LRA, in hopes of defending northern Uganda. However, the intentions of the LRA turned against its own people, and Santo quickly made his escape. The LRA captured him and imprisoned him for one month. After his release, he put on his uniform and loaded his gun…this time for the government army (UPDF) For 10 years, he fought heroically as a staff sergeant for the UPDF and defended the women and children in the Gulu area. When peace was restored and he was able to return home, he was shocked to find out his wife, Christine, had become a Christian. He was furious. “I did not trust Christians and I wanted to go and kill Christine’s pastor. If I would have known his face, I would have shot him dead,” says Santo.

“Did you ever find him?” I ask.

“I did not find him…he found me!. I fell sick and was rushed to the hospital. Aloysius, her pastor came to visit me and I did not have the energy to kill him. So, instead, I just listened to him as he shared the love of Christ with me. He knew I hated him, so I could not believe that he still wanted to come and visit me in the hospital. My heart completely changed and I told him that instead of killing Christians, I would like to become one,” he tells me with a slight smile on his face.

Today, Santo and Christine and their 2 children have returned peacefully to their home…both are now members and leaders of Aloysius’ church and volunteers with Sports Outreach Ministry.