We recently received a multitude of stories from partner churches who are studying TCT through Food for the Hungry in Uganda. I’ve spent a good chunk of my day reading reports of hundreds of Christians in dozens of churches who are living out their faith and bringing transformation to their communities (yes, I do have the best job ever). As I read, it suddenly struck me that, in one district, I kept seeing the same woman pop up in photo after photo. Her name is Senasi. She’s not powerful, wealthy, or famous. In fact, she looks like a very average woman from rural Uganda. But she is living out her faith in a way that humbles and astounds me.

If, like me, you sometimes feel discouraged or insignificant in the face of the brokenness we see in our world—I give you Senasi’s stories. May she remind you that one person who is willing to give what little she has can make a huge difference in vulnerable people’s lives.

 

After a 78-year-old widow’s house was destroyed in a storm, she was discovered taking shelter inside the local church. Senasi and other church members pooled their money to buy iron sheets and poles. Then they volunteered their time to build a new house for the widow and her two grandchildren who live with her. (Senasi is on the right in this photo)

 

Another family was new in town. The father had recently gotten a job at a nearby farm and relocated his wife and seven children to Senasi’s village. But before they could buy land and build a house, he was laid off. With no income and nowhere to live, the family was in a desperate situation. But Senasi heard about their situation, and—even though she didn’t know the family well—she decided to help. First, she took in all seven children for two weeks. She gave 450,000 shillings (122 US dollars) that she had earned from her harvest to help the family buy a plot of land. Then she mobilized her church to build a house. Again, they bought iron sheets, poles, and nails, and they worked together to build the house in a matter of days. (Here’s a picture of the family standing in front of their new home. Senasi is on the left.)

 

One day, Senasi went to her church and found a seventeen-year-old girl taking shelter there. The girl, Mary, explained that she was pregnant and unmarried. When her parents found out, they were so angry that her mother tried to kill her. So Mary ran away and had spent the night hiding in the church. Senasi and her husband decided to take responsibility for Mary. They took her in as part of their family and cared for her throughout her pregnancy.

Mary almost died during labor and ended up spending three weeks in the hospital. Senasi left everything to take care of Mary in the hospital (where family members are expected to provided much of the basic care and meals). Her neighbors didn’t understand why she would do all this for Mary, and made discouraging comments like, “Why should you leave your family and children to take care of a useless girl in the hospital?” But Senasi didn’t give up because she knew Mary needed her. By the grace of God, Mary managed to recover and returned to live at Senasi’s house.

Mary shared,“This mother is everything to me. My real mother wanted to kill me, but a stranger has become my mother.” (Here are Senasi and Mary with their children. Senasi is on the left.)

 

Senasi is just one of many people who are living sacrificially and working to see God’s Kingdom come in their communities. May God show each of us ways that we, too, can use what He’s given us to love our neighbors and serve in our communities.