Emmanuel Jal to perform and share his story in Ottawa

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier turned hip-hop artist, actor, and peace activist is coming to Ottawa. He will be performing some of his music and sharing his story at Gloucester Presbyterian Church, on September 17, 2016.

“Emmanuel Jal has been marked by profound suffering, yet there’s an irrepressible joy as well,” says Denise Allen-Macartney, Gloucester Presbyterian’s pastor. “His music reflects God’s power for peace amid the reality of poverty and war. Jal’s story and his music communicate grace—something that defeats bitterness, resentment, or cynicism, and reaches toward hope.”

The free event, sponsored by World Vision, starts at 6:30 p.m. In addition to inspiring people to sponsor children, Allen-Macartney hopes the evening helps people “gain a deeper perspective on God’s presence in the midst of suffering. Nothing can defeat the hope we have in Christ.”

The church held a movie night in July to help spark interest in Jal’s story. Jal is one of the main actors in the fictional movie, “The Good Lie,” which tells the story of former child soldiers who come to North America as refugees.

“It was so inspiring to see how his deep faith and resilience helped propel him to a place where he can give hope to vulnerable youth.”

Earlier in September they had another movie night showing “War Child,” which recounts Jal’s own story.

“The screening of this intensely thought-provoking film was quite timely, given the current worldwide refugee crisis,” says Sarah Onyango, who attended the recent showing. “Although it was devastating to watch Emmanuel relive the horror and pain of the conflict in his native South Sudan, it was so inspiring to see how his deep faith and resilience helped propel him to a place where he can give hope to vulnerable youth.”

Jal hopes that by coming to share his story, he can inspire listeners with compassion to impact the world around them.

“Every person has a story. When we share our story we are able to put a spotlight in a dark place,” he says. “What story am I bringing? I am brining my childhood experience, my walk in the desert where there was no water and where God created a miracle so we were able to drink water.”

A war-torn past

Jal grew up in the 80s, in what is now South Sudan. He lost most of his family to the brutal war. At age seven, his father sent him to Ethiopia to go to school. Many others died on the perilous walk to the refugee camp he ended up in, but his misfortune had only begun. Fuelled by resentment over the suffering of his family, he was recruited as a child soldier for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

“Most of the kids had seen their homes burn down. Some had seen their parents raped in front of them. To be given a chance to learn to fire a gun and go to war was exciting for us. My desire was to kill as many Muslims and Arabs as possible. It was a brutal training. Every time I felt like giving up I remembered how my village burned. I knew I wanted to have that gun.”

Jal doesn’t feel the hatred anymore. He realized the war was brought on by the brokenness of human nature. He deeply believes that by investing in the third world and improving the situation of those in troubled regions, a lot of war and suffering can be averted. That is one of the reasons he advocates for child sponsorships and World Vision.

“When kids are given an opportunity they don’t have, they take it seriously. That opportunity can give them a chance at life. It enhances them to be able to pursue the dreams they have and equips them with better skills. You never know the potential of any child until they are given that opportunity.”

Breaking free

Jal’s opportunity came after he joined a mass escape from the militant group. After three months of travelling through the desert with more than 200 kids, Jal was one of only 16 who reached safety. A British aid worker named Emma McCune took him in and gave him a second chance at life.

“She put me in school. That’s when I started becoming a musician. I got international attention and started travelling around the world. I am here because someone gave me an opportunity.”

Despite his painful start at life, Jal’s story has come full circle. In addition to his music and acting, he says he recently became an “accidental entrepreneur”. While trying to cope with numerous health problems, Jal created a powdered superfood called Jal Gua. His business donates 5% of every bag sold to help educate children in Africa.