In the small village of Aketanino, when we first arrived in Lira in 2016, is where we first met Mama Jent. She is an elderly lady that we befriended and have loved ever since. Her room was on the corner of town so we frequented her door. She was never much interested in Jesus. She knew Him, so she said, but never wanted to talk about Him much. We lived life very close to Mama so we had much interaction on the daily. Being in Lira this summer, we had to go see her. It was a must!
Her condition immediately broke my heart. She was lying on the hard concrete floor on just a trash bag as normal, but this time she was more broken and lonely. When she saw us, she crawled toward us so surprised. I know she was embarrassed about her meager living conditions. Pulling the trash bag from underneath herself to share with me so that I could sit on was a gift of her hospitality. Slowly crawling out of her room, she discreetly pulled the curtain closed at the door to hide her room behind her. She put on her brace so that she could sit up. Gathering in her entrance outside her room, we sat and talked about life. “If it wasn’t for God, I would not be here,” she shared in her broken Queen’s Ugandan English. Life had been unbearably painful for her. I could see it all over her face, her groans, her movements.
Once we arrived in Lira this summer, I began to try to find someone that could read the Bible to her regualarly. Gabriel suggested the Proclaimer, the audio Bible that is solar. “That’s a wonderful idea. That is an answer to my prayers!” I commented. So we went visiting with it in hand. Gabriel and I showed Mama Jent the few buttons she would need to use and then left it with her. On this visit she didn’t seem to have a reason to live. Her body was filled with pain and she was so lonely. What a transformation was made in the one day. On our arrival to visit the next afternoon, we saw a different lady. She was in her best dress sitting up with a glow on her face. I could hear the Gospel of Luke speaking from the Proclaimer. “I was able to sleep last night. I put it on and later fell asleep,” Mama began. Telling me some of what she had heard about Jesus from her listenings, she held on to the Proclaimer. Gabriel and I both were amazed at the change in her. The word of God washed over her all night and into the next day. It gave her hope to face another day. It gave her courage. I pray it introduces her to the real Jesus intimately as her Savior.
I am grateful we had this opportunity to visit Mama Jent and to encourage her with God and His powerful word.
