Uncle Ben and the Stars

[Explanatory note: Uganda leads East African countries in alcohol consumption, is 3^rd in Africa and 8^th in the world. Many families make alcohol and sell it as a way of eking out a living. The children, of course, in these homes and neighbourhoods are introduced to alcohol early in life; many become addicted in their teens; and sadly some drop-out of school because of alcohol. It’s commonly believed that once a person is addicted, their life is ruined and without hope. Our curriculum committee advised that we teach children to say “no” to that first taste of alcohol. However, we must offer hope to the many, who have already had their first taste…and many more, some of whom are already addicted. They want a story to warn students of the danger, but also give hope to students experiencing the consequences—a story of an African who indeed “ruined” his life due to alcoholism, but through faith in Jesus Christ was freed and went on to live a useful and full life. After several unsuccessful attempts, we finally made an appointment to interview a certain “Uncle Ben” immediately following the Pastors’ Breakfast. He’s a retired pastor who is still actively involved in  Christian ministry, including schools.]

Today three of us sat together and listened to Uncle Ben’s story. Let me try and summarize.

I was born into a polygamous family, he began. I was the son of my father’s first wife.  My grandfather had given many cows to my mother so it became my lot to look after the cows. Because of cattle thieves, we had to stay with the cattle day and night. In the evening the flies would descend and bite. We would light fires and the smoke would give us some relief from the flies. There I would sit around the fire and look up into the sky. I was so fascinated by the stars. As the cows would settle down for the night, I would pillow my head in one of the gentle cows and dream of the starry hosts above. I grew to love the cows and the heavens. Unfortunately my surroundings (full of alcohol) and my personal choices led me down wrong paths and I ended up as a high school drop-out and even worse, as a homeless teenager, living and sleeping on the streets hopelessly addicted to alcohol. One day as I was walking, God showed me who I really was. It was like I was looking in a giant mirror and I saw my disheveled self, the lice in my hair and on my skin, my filthy overcoat. I smelled my body stench from not bathing for weeks. Worst of all I saw how utterly corrupt I was inside. It was as if God said “Do you want to live or die?” I answered immediately “I want to live.” Somehow I knew I had to go home to my mother. This was the beginning of transformation and God delivering me from alcohol and tobacco. And best of all I got to know personally the One Who created the stars in the heavens!