Most of the 370,000 Karamojong speakers had never seen a movie. Many cut intricate patterns into their skin, put sand into the wounds, and allow the cuts to heal over.
Villagers believe the decorative bumps thus formed bring healing and keep away evil spirits.
Script translation began in June 1997, and ended the following November. Mike and Nathan recorded the voices in July 1998. The Karamojong film premiere drew about 3,000 people in the village of Moroto. When the film team invited those interested in receiving Christ to come forward, hundreds began moving. Not believing the response, the team repeated the instructions twice.