The troops were said to be on a "precursor mission" to better learn the terrain and meet with Ugandan and Central African forces in preparation to capture Kony.

The LRA is a sectarian religious and military group responsible for the deaths and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people across Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan.

The U.S. joined the hunt for the LRA's Kony in October, and Africa Inland Mission missionary to CAR, Wendy Atkins, believes this will be the end to the regime.

"From what I'm hearing, they basically know where [Kony] is located at this time," says Atkins. "If they can get in there and get him–along with the top leadership, I believe this whole thing will fizzle."

The thing is: it's not the first time the U.S. has tried to capture Kony. The U.S. stepped in to help in 2008 in a failed attempt to capture the leader.

This go around, though, Atkins says some LRA members have already given up.

"Some of these LRA have surrendered over the past six months," notes Atkins. "They say that's been the most activity we've seen in the area of CAR where I've been living."

Invisible Children–an organization dedicated to exposing the LRA for what they are and advocating on behalf of the many who've been affected by the LRA's warfare–reports that an estimated 90% or more of the LRA's current troops were abducted as children.

Through Invisible Children and others, radio stations have gone up across central Africa broadcasting local information, also hosting former LRA members who have surrendered and received counseling. They urge LRA members over the radio to give up their ways.

Atkins says forces are weakening. "They estimate now that there are less than 500 of them still active, divided up in 20 different fleets." Still, "they're covering a geographic area twice the size of the state of Pennsylvania."

It's a difficult task that requires much prayer–not only for justice, but for healing.

"Since December of 2009, 966 people have been killed by the LRA, and 1,810 have been abducted," points out Atkins. "When you look at those numbers, they may not seem huge, but behind each one of those deaths or those abductions you've got a village that's been upset; you have a church that's basically been dispersed."

AIM partner churches in Obo have been directly affected. The LRA abducted over 60 young people from Obo in 2008. In 2009, over 4,000 Congolese refugees fled to the same area in CAR fleeing attacks from the LRA.

The church was able to provide for these refugees for several weeks until the UN got involved. The church continues to provide a reconciliation ministry for those who have been affected by the LRA's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual attacks.

As the hunt for Kony continues, pray for wisdom as the combined armies attempt to put an end to a 23-year reign of brutality and brainwashing. But pray also that the church would be a haven of rest, reconciliation, and solace for many. Pray that the Gospel would break through the evil of decades of suffering, and that even LRA members would turn to Jesus Christ.

There are several resources to learn more about the LRA and track the hunt for Kony. Atkins suggests lracrisistracker.com as the best resources to improve your knowledge on the subject.

Africa Inland Mission missionary Wendy Atkins lives in the DR Congo where she has been helping thousands of refugees obtain food, water, shelter and other necessities. Many of those who have come to her are in flight from the brutal LRA.

People have been fleeing the LRA for years, but it seems that more and more Christians are at risk. One AIM release reports that a pastor was "hacked and shot to death" by LRA rebels, while 147 other people were forced from their homes. Churches have been burned, along with the homes of believers.

Recent attacks produced mass devastation for believers, says AIM missionary Bill Stough. "Church members lost bicycles, sewing machines, food, farming tools and other precious and scanty possessions as their houses and homes went up in flames." Most of these possessions will not be replaced as damage continues to add to the severity of ever-pressing poverty.

AIM has set up the Congo Crisis Fund to provide for some of the victims of LRA brutality. Your prayers and financial contributions are coveted.

Pray that AIM missionaries would be a beacon of light for believers and nonbelievers, pointing them all to Christ. AIM asks you pray specifically for the protection of children as well, who are easy and regular targets for the LRA to abduct and force into servitude.

If you would like to make a donation to the Congo Crisis Fund, click here.

Every Child Ministries has issued a new initiative to get people praying. ECM co-founder Lorella Rouster says Every Child Ministries prays for its partners daily, but will now pray even more specifically. For one month, the ministry wants others to join them in their campaign to pray for distinct groups in Africa.

"We have issued a prayer guide called ‘Prayer for the Dark Places,'" explains Rouster. "It features four major topics for prayer, one for each week for a month of prayer."

The four topics are actually four groups of people in Africa. Two groups–the Karimojong of northern Uganda along with the Baggara Arabs of Sudan and Chad–are people groups that have yet to be reached with the Gospel. The other two groups include a confused religious group known as the Africanian Mission of Ghana, and the militaristic Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).

Every Child Ministries works in close proximity to all of these groups. Many within the groups have forced people into slavery and have affected or opposed the work of Every Child Ministries in Africa. While Every Child Ministries encourages people to pray for the victims of these atrocities, they also ask for prayers for the perpetrators themselves. The ministry is so concerned with the hearts of these people that they are planning outreach to some. But, Rouster points out, none of their hearts will be changed without prayer.

"We're just trusting God for a breakthrough in these four very difficult areas. We know that nothing can be done really without prayer because these things are way beyond the capacity of what any person can do."

Consider joining hands in this prayer effort with friends, family, church members, or individually. The Prayer for the Dark Places guides are meant to last one month, but they are not dated, so you can start at any time. To get involved, e-mail Every Child Ministries or call them at (219) 996-4201.

Click here to visit the Every Child Ministries Web site.

According to a report by the New
York-based Human Rights Watch published in February 2009, nearly 900 civilians
were killed in the Niangara region between last December 24 and January
17. At least 160 children were kidnapped
by the LRA at the same time.

The UN peacekeeping force takes the
threat seriously and plans to step up its joint patrols with the Congolese
army. However, rebel soldiers have already been spotted in the bush. The sight of them has sent tremors of fear
through congregations, and many have fled the area.

believers are "sitting ducks," says Sam Vinton with Grace Ministries International. "Their celebration is a lot more open and prolonged. They will
start at four in the morning sometimes, and go on to noon on Christmas Day. Their celebrations are not just "go to
church, sing a few songs and come back out." So, they're out there in the open,
as well. If these rebels or soldiers are out in the forest somewhere, they would
be easy prey."

Pray for the safety of these
believers and that there will be no attack. "We need to continue holding
them before the Lord," says Vinton. "I'm sure that relatives who lost family before
this–they're back again, and then they're hearing this threat to do this–it
would be a very disconcerting thing for Christians, which, in some cases, would
probably close down Christmas services that they'd planned."

Christine Silwinski and Nancy Cardoza are from Wisconsin and Massachusetts, respectively. Silwinski has a passion for adolescent teens and will finish her school year as a middle school math teacher before going to Uganda.

Cardoza has been deeply involved in children's ministries at her church, and envisions helping children in Uganda with vocational education and small group discipleship. Both women are building support teams. Silwinski will leave for Gulu as soon as her team is in place.

The Lord's Resistance Army has fought with the Ugandan government for over 20 years. Over 900 people have been murdered in the Democratic Republic of Congo since violence started last year. Some of the displaced children living in Ugandan refugee camps have been severely traumatized.

"Many of them saw their parents, or their brothers or sisters, or family members hacked to death with machetes or hoes by the LRA rebels," said ECM's Lorella Rouster. "And some of them were made to participate."

ECM short-term missionaries will reach out in Christ's love to these children in June and July. If you'd like to go, fill out a form by clicking here. Around 14 are needed for each of the three week teams. Education will be a major focus to prepare some of the kids to go back to school; other ministries include Bible teachings, a first aid clinic, and games. Teams will also serve lunch to the children.

ECM's goal is to have 8-10 long-term missionaries on the Uganda team; a team approach is needed to meet extreme emotional and physical needs. If you would like to serve in Uganda, find out how by clicking here.

Bright Hope International is working hand in hand with Eagle's Nest Ministries. "Bright Hope specializes in looking for people who are sold out to the Lord's work among the very poor. When we met Butch and his wife and saw their ministries, we saw a ministry that was just serving God faithfully, and yet under-resourced and under-tooled to be able to meet the challenges of the people," said Craig Dyer of Bright Hope. 

Butch Dodzweit, Director of Eagle's Nest Ministries, said there are approximately 4,000 people still in the IDP camp where they work. The government is having peace talks with the head of the Lord's Resistance Army right now. "We're hopeful that its really come to an end, but it's one of those 'wait and see' [situations]. But people do feel safe enough to go back to the villages," said Dodzweit. 

Dodzweit says that long-term living in the IDP camps has taken its toll on the people spiritually. Witch doctors have taken control of people living there. As child soldiers return from the fighting, especially, there is a deep need for spiritual help. "They're asking for something to help them spiritually to take away these terrible dreams and awful nightmares that they go through. So spiritually, there's a big demand," said Dodzweit.

Bright Hope's partnership with Eagle's Nest includes providing resources, both financially and materially. Bright Hope has brought this need to churches and Christians in the West to ask for support.  The ministry is still under-resourced, but Dyer said, "We're seeing results… That's exciting, that's movement. And what they were able to do that on, as far as their budget, we just think that's a huge bang for the buck for the Kingdom of God."

Specifically, Bright Hope is offering much-needed medical packs for Eagle's Nest as well as other parts of Uganda and Kenya. There are currently 17,000 med-packs on their way there.   

Dodzweit and his wife are also largely involved in education and orphan care. 

You can help.