The Truck
One of the notorious truths about Karamoja is that the roads are, what? Awful!!! As the natural resources of Karamoja are becoming known to the outside world, more and more rock trucks come lumbering up the road to exploit these resources. But the roads were not made to support multiple tons of rock and truck, and the trucks were not made to support the roads, and so they get stuck. And when they get stuck they create craters and ruts that become saturated with rain water and make the road nearly impassible for everyone. Thus a sturdy, 4X4 vehicle is a necessity for life in Karamoja.
When Dr. Jean first arrived here, back in 1998, she bought an old Land Cruiser that had been used in Sudan as an ambulance. So the seats in the back sit sideways and the suspension is nearly shot from years of hard driving on rough roads. During the time of great unrest, she added the cow horns to the front as a symbol that she came in peace, as a protector and helper of the cows and not as an enemy. God used these horns to help save her life several times as she drove through very dangerous territory. Now, as peace begins to settle in the land, the horns still represent our friendship and connection to the people and the cows. As we drive the vehicle, people will often rush to the road to wave at us and shout “Nakaala, Nakaala!” which is Jean’s Karamojong name.
Now that Tom and Jean are leaving the field the truck goes back to CVM (Christian Veterinarian Missions, whom Jean was with). I had the opportunity to buy the truck, but have chosen not to. As much as I like the truck for sentimental reasons, I recognize that it is not a reliable vehicle for me. Since I am not much of a mechanic, I need something that I can trust will get me to my destination (without costing me hundreds of dollars worth of fuel and repairs). So it is with sadness that I say goodbye to this great truck. I have actually really enjoyed learning how to drive it (left-side manual transmission), and taking on the challenges of the roads with it (love the adrenalin rush that comes from conquering the really muddy spots).
But since I am not buying this truck, and since it is necessary to have a truck for Karamoja, I must look into buying a new truck for me/the team. Vehicles here are very expensive. In addition to the initial cost of the vehicle, you also have to pay import taxes which can nearly double the price. Thus, for a good, used land cruiser you can pay about $17,000.00. I had initially thought that I would buy a motorcycle to travel around Karamoja (much cheaper), but with the changes of team dynamics, I know that I need a real vehicle instead of just a motorbike. So I am asking for your help. If you would like to contribute to buying a vehicle, you can send your donation to Pioneers (follow the directions below) and add a slip of paper specifying “vehicle funds”. I really appreciate your help in this. It is a need I cannot meet on my own. CVM has allowed me to continue to use the truck until March, 2013, so the sooner the funds come in, the better. Thank you!
Thank you for your faithful friendship and prayers.
Summer
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Please help support Summer's missionary work in Uganda by prayerfully giving through Pioneers by using the following link, and fill out the form. Thank you so much!
Website: https://webapps.pioneers.org/V2/giving/GiftInfo?name=Summer+Root&accountid=111084
Missionary Name: Summer Root
Account Number: 111084
Dr. Trent & Dr. Tabitha Cox - Ethiopia Staff
Dr. Daniel & Rachel Graham - Uganda Staff
Dr. Julie and Steve Henderson - Mozambique Staff
Dr. Cherie Igielski - Ethiopia Staff
KACHEP - UgandaIn
March 1998, Karamoja Christian Ethnoveterinary Program (KACHEP) began a
project in Bokora, Moroto district. The project focuses on livestock
development with the goal of promoting native and herbal livestock
medicine with the initiative of the pastoralists. The program seeks to
promote peace and build the capacity of traditional livestock healers
through participatory conflict resolution. KACHEP is committed to the
improvement of livelihoods of the Karamojong rural households through
re-establishment of a sustainable agro-pastoral society.
Dr. Jean and Tom Reed - Uganda StaffJean
and Tom are in the start-up phase of a church planting project among
the Karamojong, a traditional, pastoralist people whose associated
ethnic cluster stretches across the borders of Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and
Ethiopia. They are in the process of building a team, locating land and
focusing on learning language and culture. Through the use of local
methods, like orality (story, debate, song, dance, proverbs, riddles)
and ethno-veterinary (traditional) medicine, they hope to gain entrance
to the social networks and speed the flow of the gospel through them, in
conjunction with both animal and human health. 
Dr. Troy and Rebekah Sammons - Kenya Staff
Dr. Barry & Colette Schwenk - Ethiopia StaffThe
Schwenk's work with the Gumuz people in a village called Gesses in
Northwest Ethiopia near the Sudan border. The Gumuz are traditional
hunter/gatherers with animistic beliefs. Barry and Colette use the
skills God has given them to serve in any way they can. They strive to
provide education and training with every aspect of ministry, insuring
sustainability and encouragement. They have seen great results in
relation to food security and neonatal health programs. This year they
will be transitioning two successful primary schools to the government.
They are also engaged with training and empowering women in areas of
health, agriculture, literacy and economics. Through Bible storying,
Gumuz believers continue to grow and change their communities in
anticipation of the Bible.
Dr. Val Shean - Uganda StaffDr.
Val seeks to inspire the local pastoral communities of Karamoja to
spiritual growth and peace building through capacity building in
wholistic livestock health and husbandry. She partners with traditional
healers and women in the villages to develop improved formulations for
the traditional, herbal veterinary medicines and other livestock related
micro-enterprises as a way to provide alternative livelihoods for the
pastoralist families. A new peace program between the warring
Karamojong is beginning to show fruit as well. She also assists local
churches with outreaches to widows and children of AIDS affected
families and refugees from the rebel war.