Ugandan Woman Discovers the One Sacrifice that Counts
"Areny" grew up in the Teso region of Eastern Uganda, in a traditional family that did not believe in the God of the Bible; for them, ancestral spirits held power over life and death. She knew nothing of God's eternal Word or of His plan for salvation for her.
"I did not believe in God at all," she said. "I had no use for Him since my hands could give me whatever I wanted. Whenever I became ill, I believed the traditional healers could help me."
Areny encountered many hardships in her life. Her mother died when she was 10 years old, and her father died soon afterward, leaving her and her five siblings without much hope for the future. Later in her life, her two children died young—a tragedy she thought was caused by angry ancestors punishing her for the mistakes of her late parents.
"I visited traditional shrines countless times," Areny says, adding that she would offer sacrifices to appease the spirits so that they would give her another child. The more she did this, the harder it became for her to accept her life. Still, she continued until her age made it impossible for her to bear children.
To try to escape the misery the spirits of her ancestors were inflicting on her, Areny even moved away from her ancestral region, but it was no use. By November of 2008, Areny had lost all hope.
Her hopelessness, however, would prove to be God's pathway to her heart.
One evening, a Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) team that shares the Good News of Christ's salvation door-to-door visited Areny at her home. Areny listened as the volunteers shared the Word of God with her and introduced her to the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ. She prayed with the visitors, who then referred her to Kateete Lutheran Church for nurturing and fellowship.
Since then, Christ has been working in Areny, and she is undergoing confirmation lessons and wants to be baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran church in Kateete. She has agreed to allow LHM—Uganda to share her testimony to encourage those who are lost and seeking Christ.
To support this international ministry or one of LHM's many other programs with a financial gift, visit www.lhmgift.org.
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