The following post is from Missy Ward, one of CBF’s field personnel serving in Uganda. Missy arrived in Uganda in March, and this is an update on the great work she is doing with refugee women and girls. Visit her blog for regular ministry updates. Click here to view a highlight video from the International Women’s Day 2013 celebration. Your financial support helps to make this ministry possible! Please click here to make an online donation.

Greetings from Kampala, Uganda!! I hope and pray that you all are doing well! It has been a wonderful and very busy month in Uganda and I have now begun settling into life in Uganda. I have seen many prayers answered. I found and moved into a house. After four months of living out of suitcases, it is SO wonderful to finally unpack and begin settling into my life and work in Uganda. I have begun setting up the foundations of the program, learning Luganda ( the local language spoken in Central Uganda) and meeting with female members of our community.
In the midst of these transitions, it has been a season of goodbyes and hellos. Two weeks ago, Sarah and her brother moved to the UK to live with their Aunt. This was a very very difficult goodbye but also caused me to reflect about God’s profound work in her life. Sarah came to Uganda shortly after becoming an orphan. She was severely traumatized and timid when she first arrived. Sarah left Uganda a smiling and vibrant young woman. Her life is a reminder of the impact of God’s profound hope.
Just a week later, I met Hannah. Hannah is the youngest sister of one our community members. Their mother was murdered one year ago in Somalia. At the time, Hannah was the only person who remained home with her mother. In the midst of the ensuing conflict, a soldier forced Hannah into a marriage. He beat and raped Hannah continually for four months. During the fourth month, Hannah realized that she was pregnant. As soon as she shared this news with her husband, she was thrown out onto the streets. Hannah remained homeless for nearly eight months. Her son was born on the streets. Without adequate shelter, nutrition and medical care, her son died within the first few months. Hannah was left alone, severely traumatized and without hope. She was only fifteen years old.
Miraculously, Hannah managed to reconnect with a family friend who knew her sister’s phone number in Uganda. Hannah was able to call her sister after not talking for over a year. The family collected funds and networked with remaining friends in Somalia and managed to safely bring Hannah. Hannah came to my office on Monday morning and shared with me her tragic story. Still, in the midst of this despair, there is hope. We serve a God who is able to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine ( Ephesians 3) .I am confident that God will continue bring healing and restoration to Hannah’s life. Hannah and so many others like her, are the reason that I am in Uganda. Thank you for your prayers and financial support which enable and empower me to minister with and among female refugees in Uganda.

Im grateful for your partnership in ministry.

Blessings,

Missy Ward

Prayer Requests:
Over the last month that I have been in Uganda, I have felt your prayers and have seen God answering many prayer requests including providing the remaining funding for the ministry shelter through the first year!!! Amazing!

I would appreciate it if you would keep the following items in your prayers this month:
·      * Hannah
·      * Sarah and Said as they settle into life in the UK
* Women and girls within our community who are in violent or vulnerable situations.
* Shelter: This month I will be continuing with foundational meetings with other local organizations in order to open the shelter sometime in    June. Please pray for these meetings as well as discernment and direction for the right location and the right support staff for the shelter.
* Me: Please pray for me as I continue to settle into life in Uganda as I settle into my house, learn how to drive in Kampala and learn Luganda, etc).