The following post comes from Missy Ward, one of CBF’s field personnel in Kampala, Uganda. Learn more about Missy’s ministry and subscribe to her e-newsletter on her website, missyinuganda.com.

When reading the gospel for the first time, I was struck and amazed by the radical love that Christ had for people-even those who no one else saw, heard or talked to. As I continued to read and grow in my faith and understanding of Christ, I became more and more convinced of the fact that every person is born by God, with a purpose and to be loved. The hard and difficult reality is that for so many in this world, that love is not realized or fulfilled, particularly for women and girls. 

The United Nations ( UNFPA) estimates that 1 in 3 women, worldwide will be affected by violence in their lifetime. One in THREE daughters of God will be violated, abused, oppressed. They will not be treated with the equal dignity that God created them to experience. For refugee women and girls, this reality is much harsher because this violence is compounded by war, the loss of family members and friends, inadequate food, shelter, access to medical care or education.

As a woman called to minister with and among refugee women and girls experiencing violence and exploitation, I find my strength and hope from this purpose and command: I am created and loved by God and my purpose is to share God’s love, grace and hope with others. God’s love empowers and transforms lives. I know, because it has radically changed my life and has empowered me to live out my purpose of serving in this ministry.

Will you join me in dreaming and praying for a better world for refugee women and girls- a world where they are loved as God created them to be loved, where they are safe from all wars, violence or exploitation and a world where they are able to freely live out God’s purpose in their lives?

Will you join me?