I first visited Northern Uganda in 2003, the same year that Jason Russell arrived in Gulu and began his sojourn as the Invisible Children nongovernmental organization. I saw with my own eyes what was depicted in their first video.

After two more visits to Gulu during the war, I was moved to do more. I gathered some friends and started a project — BOSCO — to bring Internet, by way of solar power, to the remote displacement camps outside of Gulu. Although it originally was conceived during wartime as a communication safety measure for those in the camps, as we were planning the project, a truce was negotiated.

Because of the efforts of a few great men, the truce became a peace. It has been my privilege to know the main player who has made a difference. His name is John the Baptist Odama, the Catholic archbishop of Gulu. During those dark days of terrible hostilities in Northern Uganda, he went unarmed into the bush and confronted the rebels. He said to them, “Kill me if you must, but if you do kill me, you will be killing your father.”

I fear those who come to Africa with weapons, but without the wisdom of this man. It causes us to question the group of young people in America chanting for “justice” for Kony. They will have in mind a completely different narrative and outcome than an African peace negotiator who comes out of a traditional African religious narrative of justice.

During happier days, when I first met Jason Russell at the Invisible Children’s home in Gulu, I coined a phrase about the experience of going to Africa. At this critical moment in Uganda, I ask Jason to remember my words: “We all live in Gulu, whether we know it or not. Let us learn from Gulu how to live.” After some healing and reconciliation, let’s learn from John the Baptist Odama how to bring peace with wisdom to my beloved Acholi, to all of Africa and to the world.

Gus A. Zuehlke, president, BOSCO USA