This term is a misnomer that has often been used to separate believers
into two categories—clergy and laity. Such separations
are without biblical substance, and severely hinder the maturation
and fruition of the body of Christ.
into two categories—clergy and laity. Such separations
are without biblical substance, and severely hinder the maturation
and fruition of the body of Christ.
I am indebted to Paul and Pam Hunter for the following account of a
28-year-old Ugandan woman who is certainly a “full time minister.”
28-year-old Ugandan woman who is certainly a “full time minister.”
Maureen … A Powerful Minister of God ... Part One
You won’t meet Maureen Arinaitwe unless you stop at the Bata
Shoe Store for socks, shoelaces, polish, shoes, or sandals. She
works from 9 am until 7 pm Monday through Saturday. You would
assume that her job at Bata was her life. In fact, she has
worked for the best shoe company in East Africa for 9 years.
She started when she was just a young girl of 18. On July 31th
of this year she will turn 29. Just a clerk in a shoe store,
right?
Shoe Store for socks, shoelaces, polish, shoes, or sandals. She
works from 9 am until 7 pm Monday through Saturday. You would
assume that her job at Bata was her life. In fact, she has
worked for the best shoe company in East Africa for 9 years.
She started when she was just a young girl of 18. On July 31th
of this year she will turn 29. Just a clerk in a shoe store,
right?
Behind every person is a story. Some are common stories. Some
seem unique. I find all of them interesting. I’ve known
Maureen going four years. She is a cheerful and outgoing lady
who is married to a lawyer. They have a boy and a girl. A
common story, right? Last week I uncovered Maureen’s story.
It’s too good to be kept to myself.
seem unique. I find all of them interesting. I’ve known
Maureen going four years. She is a cheerful and outgoing lady
who is married to a lawyer. They have a boy and a girl. A
common story, right? Last week I uncovered Maureen’s story.
It’s too good to be kept to myself.
Maureen was the first born of six sisters and one brother. She
was born in Mbarara, a well known town in west Uganda, just
before you reach the border into Rwanda. Her birth father is
unknown to her. She was only six months old when Paul, her step
father, began caring for her. Paul and Maureen’s mother
have been together ever since. They moved to a small village
across the Nile River, west of the Nile Brewery and Textile Company,
named Nyenga. Paul was educated, a civil engineer, and had
a good job with the government. There was just one huge
problem.
was born in Mbarara, a well known town in west Uganda, just
before you reach the border into Rwanda. Her birth father is
unknown to her. She was only six months old when Paul, her step
father, began caring for her. Paul and Maureen’s mother
have been together ever since. They moved to a small village
across the Nile River, west of the Nile Brewery and Textile Company,
named Nyenga. Paul was educated, a civil engineer, and had
a good job with the government. There was just one huge
problem.
Paul loved to drink and he did it every day. He spent most of his
salaries on alcohol. Maureen still wonders “why the
government didn’t sack him.” The family existed in horrible
conditions, sleeping on the floor of a mud house. There was no
peace in the home. It was a brutal existence of strife, anger,
arguing, and fighting.
salaries on alcohol. Maureen still wonders “why the
government didn’t sack him.” The family existed in horrible
conditions, sleeping on the floor of a mud house. There was no
peace in the home. It was a brutal existence of strife, anger,
arguing, and fighting.
It wasn’t until Maureen was 16 years old and in her third year of
secondary school that she found out Paul was actually her step
father. Her mother decided it was time to take her to her birth
father back in Mbarara. That family was filled with
alcohol too. Soon after Maureen arrived, a strong and abusive
uncle sold her to a married man for 100,000 schillings ($50) so that
he would have drinking money. Maureen was innocent and an even
more horrible existence began. She was the younger wife and the
opposition, jealousy, and competition between her and the first wife
was intense. She gave birth to her first born and named him
Paul.
secondary school that she found out Paul was actually her step
father. Her mother decided it was time to take her to her birth
father back in Mbarara. That family was filled with
alcohol too. Soon after Maureen arrived, a strong and abusive
uncle sold her to a married man for 100,000 schillings ($50) so that
he would have drinking money. Maureen was innocent and an even
more horrible existence began. She was the younger wife and the
opposition, jealousy, and competition between her and the first wife
was intense. She gave birth to her first born and named him
Paul.
By this time Maureen barely existed deep, deep in the village, high in
the mountains away from Mbarara. One day she was washing
her clothes when she heard someone behind her. She was shocked
to see her mother standing there! She ran to her mother and
almost knocked her over. “Come on,” her mother said, “you
are coming with me.” No sweeter words had been heard in her
life.
the mountains away from Mbarara. One day she was washing
her clothes when she heard someone behind her. She was shocked
to see her mother standing there! She ran to her mother and
almost knocked her over. “Come on,” her mother said, “you
are coming with me.” No sweeter words had been heard in her
life.
A complication arose. The mother had taken her whole salary from
her work in an orphanage to come to get her daughter and she planned
on returning with just Maureen. Maureen pleaded, “But,
we have to take Paul with us. He is my son.”
Maureen’s son, Paul, was malnourished and on the verge of death.
Her mother reasoned that he was just going to die anyway. Why
would they want to take the child with them? She looked around
the village for someone to take care of Paul until he died and then
they retrieve the body for burial. When Maureen convinced her
mother that she was not going unless Paul went with them, her mother
relented. Maureen has vowed that Paul will never return to that
awful place. He is now 8 years old.
her work in an orphanage to come to get her daughter and she planned
on returning with just Maureen. Maureen pleaded, “But,
we have to take Paul with us. He is my son.”
Maureen’s son, Paul, was malnourished and on the verge of death.
Her mother reasoned that he was just going to die anyway. Why
would they want to take the child with them? She looked around
the village for someone to take care of Paul until he died and then
they retrieve the body for burial. When Maureen convinced her
mother that she was not going unless Paul went with them, her mother
relented. Maureen has vowed that Paul will never return to that
awful place. He is now 8 years old.
Brothers can be very important. Maureen’s sure was. He brought
salvation to Maureen’s entire family. He was the first to be
saved. Paul, her stepfather, was the last, giving his life to
Jesus in 2003. Maureen had been born again while still in the
west and pregnant with her son Paul.
salvation to Maureen’s entire family. He was the first to be
saved. Paul, her stepfather, was the last, giving his life to
Jesus in 2003. Maureen had been born again while still in the
west and pregnant with her son Paul.
The contention that Jesus makes all the difference in the world is sure
true of Maureen’s family. Yesterday, Pam, Abdu, and I visited
the six acres that was such a horrible beginning for Maureen and
found the place totally changed. Almost every day the former
alcoholic requests forgiveness from his family. In January
Maureen’s mother, her son Paul, and her sisters moved into the
house that Maureen had built for them. Paul, the step father,
was too embarrassed to move into the house until last month and
continued sleeping in the mud hut. Maureen has become the bread
winner and provider for the family. This too is an amazing
story.
true of Maureen’s family. Yesterday, Pam, Abdu, and I visited
the six acres that was such a horrible beginning for Maureen and
found the place totally changed. Almost every day the former
alcoholic requests forgiveness from his family. In January
Maureen’s mother, her son Paul, and her sisters moved into the
house that Maureen had built for them. Paul, the step father,
was too embarrassed to move into the house until last month and
continued sleeping in the mud hut. Maureen has become the bread
winner and provider for the family. This too is an amazing
story.
Maureen’s husband is not a born again believer. He earns a great salary,
but he has never contributed a single shilling for what Maureen has
done for her family. He never wanted to marry a woman who had
any previous children and so he does not allow her son Paul to even
enter their rented house in Jinja. Everything that has
been gained financially has been because of what Maureen has budged
from her small salary over the past nine years in the shoe store.
but he has never contributed a single shilling for what Maureen has
done for her family. He never wanted to marry a woman who had
any previous children and so he does not allow her son Paul to even
enter their rented house in Jinja. Everything that has
been gained financially has been because of what Maureen has budged
from her small salary over the past nine years in the shoe store.
Maureen earns 5,700 shillings every day she works at the shoe store. At
the current rate of exchange that is $3 a day! She told me last
week that people can learn to budget on that amount and save money.
All three clerks working there are receiving the same pay, although
the current manager who is a committed believer believes that Maureen
is entitled to a raise after being committed to the company for nine
long years! He is working to get a raise for her. Once a
year the company may give their employees a bonus of 125,000
shillings ($63), but they don’t count on it.
the current rate of exchange that is $3 a day! She told me last
week that people can learn to budget on that amount and save money.
All three clerks working there are receiving the same pay, although
the current manager who is a committed believer believes that Maureen
is entitled to a raise after being committed to the company for nine
long years! He is working to get a raise for her. Once a
year the company may give their employees a bonus of 125,000
shillings ($63), but they don’t count on it.
Over the past nine years, Maureen has developed a pig farm, a fish farm, a
maize plantation, and farms sugar cane, mango, sweet potato, beans,
among other fruits and vegetables, on the family property. She
is the one who saved money to purchase lumber and hire labor for all
the building that exists on the farm.
maize plantation, and farms sugar cane, mango, sweet potato, beans,
among other fruits and vegetables, on the family property. She
is the one who saved money to purchase lumber and hire labor for all
the building that exists on the farm.
As I sat and listened to this incredible story, I was prompted to
comment and ask, “Maureen, you don’t think like an orphan or
behave like an orphan. You have a powerful ministry. What
made you like this?” Her response revealed a faith in the
goodness and sovereignty of God. She said, “My past
experiences. They made me a strong woman and gave me vision.”
comment and ask, “Maureen, you don’t think like an orphan or
behave like an orphan. You have a powerful ministry. What
made you like this?” Her response revealed a faith in the
goodness and sovereignty of God. She said, “My past
experiences. They made me a strong woman and gave me vision.”
Maureen could very well say with the Apostle Paul,
… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death …
(Philippians 3:10)
(Philippians 3:10)
She has suffered a lot, but has been able to see the purpose of God in
preparing her for a productive, redemptive existence. She
has seen the power of His resurrection in bringing her whole family
to salvation. She has a great heart of compassion for the
people of Uganda … but, that is another story that I hope to send
to you tomorrow.
preparing her for a productive, redemptive existence. She
has seen the power of His resurrection in bringing her whole family
to salvation. She has a great heart of compassion for the
people of Uganda … but, that is another story that I hope to send
to you tomorrow.
I am so encouraged by Maureen’s story. Not every person in
Uganda has an orphan spirit or is sitting around waiting for someone
to give them a handout. Some, just like this powerful young
woman of God, just 28 years old, have taken what the Lord has given
them … including the hard times … and been faithful with it.
Now God is increasing her responsibilities. Jesus said,
Uganda has an orphan spirit or is sitting around waiting for someone
to give them a handout. Some, just like this powerful young
woman of God, just 28 years old, have taken what the Lord has given
them … including the hard times … and been faithful with it.
Now God is increasing her responsibilities. Jesus said,
“if you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in larger one.” (Luke
16:10)
16:10)
I have already written almost 1300 words, but some have told me these
stories are not tedious … so, I want to add several more aspects of
this story.
stories are not tedious … so, I want to add several more aspects of
this story.
The fish pond has now been in existence for several years and been
yielding some good income. A new fish pond is being dug below
the first one so that the first one can be re-dug and repaired.
When they began digging the second one, the family discovered it was
all sand … building sand! They can now sell 8 trucks of sand
a day and receive 160,000 shillings ($80 … which is $50 more than
the national average income per month per person!) Maureen told
us, “This resource has been here all this time. We had no
idea what the value of this property could bring. Why has
Uganda been poor so long when there are all these resources?”
yielding some good income. A new fish pond is being dug below
the first one so that the first one can be re-dug and repaired.
When they began digging the second one, the family discovered it was
all sand … building sand! They can now sell 8 trucks of sand
a day and receive 160,000 shillings ($80 … which is $50 more than
the national average income per month per person!) Maureen told
us, “This resource has been here all this time. We had no
idea what the value of this property could bring. Why has
Uganda been poor so long when there are all these resources?”
At the same time Maureen is finishing her the house for her mother and
step father, she is building a house for her, her husband, and son
and daughter. She has also purchased another plot for her son
Paul that is nearby the house she is building for herself and plans
to build a house for him as well. She is so thrilled that her
step father is caring for Paul since he cannot live with her in
town. He is very bright and a powerful preacher.
step father, she is building a house for her, her husband, and son
and daughter. She has also purchased another plot for her son
Paul that is nearby the house she is building for herself and plans
to build a house for him as well. She is so thrilled that her
step father is caring for Paul since he cannot live with her in
town. He is very bright and a powerful preacher.
There is an old neighbor woman named Lucy that lives next door. She
is nearing a hundred years old. She has no husband and no
children. Maureen takes care of her. She feeds her and
helps get medicine for her when she is sick. She comes to
Maureen’s parents every day. She was at the house after we
toured the farm. I had to ask her if she was saved yet.
She said no, but that she was going to get saved some day. I
had quite a conversation with her through my interpreters, Maureen
and Abdu, before she confessed Christ with her mouth. There was
great joy in the household. Maureen told us on the drive back
to Jinja that Lucy wants to sell her five acres to Maureen
and that she wants Maureen to bury her on that land. Maureen is
saving to purchase this land ... $3,000.
is nearing a hundred years old. She has no husband and no
children. Maureen takes care of her. She feeds her and
helps get medicine for her when she is sick. She comes to
Maureen’s parents every day. She was at the house after we
toured the farm. I had to ask her if she was saved yet.
She said no, but that she was going to get saved some day. I
had quite a conversation with her through my interpreters, Maureen
and Abdu, before she confessed Christ with her mouth. There was
great joy in the household. Maureen told us on the drive back
to Jinja that Lucy wants to sell her five acres to Maureen
and that she wants Maureen to bury her on that land. Maureen is
saving to purchase this land ... $3,000.
Finally, but not totally, Maureen is the one who arranged for us to travel to
her village and tour the farm. This means that she rented a car
and paid for it. This has never happened to us in all the time
we have been in Uganda. We have always paid for transportation
and almost everything else. Last year, it was Maureen who
bought a pair of shoes for Pam. Pam had no idea that this woman
existed on a $3 a day salary. Wait until you hear what Maureen
is doing outside of her work and her family
her village and tour the farm. This means that she rented a car
and paid for it. This has never happened to us in all the time
we have been in Uganda. We have always paid for transportation
and almost everything else. Last year, it was Maureen who
bought a pair of shoes for Pam. Pam had no idea that this woman
existed on a $3 a day salary. Wait until you hear what Maureen
is doing outside of her work and her family
PART 2
Asking questions seems to be a productive way to advance the Gospel and
discover some amazing stories. Most people are polite enough to
tell me what they are not likely to volunteer. Maureen is
one of those people. After being casual friends over the past
three years we have had our hearts connected over the last week.
discover some amazing stories. Most people are polite enough to
tell me what they are not likely to volunteer. Maureen is
one of those people. After being casual friends over the past
three years we have had our hearts connected over the last week.
Through questions I discovered Maureen has managed to become the bread winner
for a large family on a $3 a day income. She has successfully
budgeted and saved from this small income over the past nine years in
order to develop a very prosperous farm that harvest vegetables,
fruits, tilapia, and pigs. This secondary income has enabled
her to build the first decent house for her mother, stepfather, and
siblings … as well as begin one for her immediate family and
purchase a plot for another house for her first son. And, she
is only 28 years old!
for a large family on a $3 a day income. She has successfully
budgeted and saved from this small income over the past nine years in
order to develop a very prosperous farm that harvest vegetables,
fruits, tilapia, and pigs. This secondary income has enabled
her to build the first decent house for her mother, stepfather, and
siblings … as well as begin one for her immediate family and
purchase a plot for another house for her first son. And, she
is only 28 years old!
Speaking of her immediate family, I wrote yesterday that she is married to a
lawyer and they have a son and a daughter. However, there are 7
staying in their rented house in Jinja! Maureen also cares
for a stepsister (this always includes not only upkeep, but school
fees), the sister of a fellow employee, and a 17 year old girl she
picked as she wandered the streets of Jinja. This last
girl just recently gave her life to Jesus!
lawyer and they have a son and a daughter. However, there are 7
staying in their rented house in Jinja! Maureen also cares
for a stepsister (this always includes not only upkeep, but school
fees), the sister of a fellow employee, and a 17 year old girl she
picked as she wandered the streets of Jinja. This last
girl just recently gave her life to Jesus!
Maureen seems to have a very good sense about who she is and why she is
here. If you read Part One of her story you know that the Lord
allowed her to pass through some terrible experiences to get to where
she is today. Those challenges circumstances became the
foundation for her faith, identity, and vision.
here. If you read Part One of her story you know that the Lord
allowed her to pass through some terrible experiences to get to where
she is today. Those challenges circumstances became the
foundation for her faith, identity, and vision.
After Pam, Abdu, and I toured the productive farm she has developed over
the past several years, Pam and I accompanied Maureen
to Masese (pronounced maw-sess-ee). This
is a “suburb” of Jinja that is high on a hill.
One part of Masese had some rather well off citizen, but
the rest of it is the community of a displaced tribe from the
northeast part of Uganda.
The Karamojong (pronounced cal-a-ma-jong) are
some of the most troubled people living in the south of Uganda.
The Karamojong tribe is one of few African tribes that have
continued to live in an 18th century lifestyle, which have continued
with barbaric acts of raiding their neighbors (tribes) and gone on
practicing this at the expense of their own clan members. They
are a tribe that believes all the cows in the world are theirs.
They will literally take cows from anyone because they believe this.
They are warrior like and do not wear clothes in the northeast.
This particular displaced community of Karamojong came
to Jinja because of a severe drought. Most of
the children who are beggars on the streets of Jinja and
Kampala come from this tribe.
the past several years, Pam and I accompanied Maureen
to Masese (pronounced maw-sess-ee). This
is a “suburb” of Jinja that is high on a hill.
One part of Masese had some rather well off citizen, but
the rest of it is the community of a displaced tribe from the
northeast part of Uganda.
The Karamojong (pronounced cal-a-ma-jong) are
some of the most troubled people living in the south of Uganda.
The Karamojong tribe is one of few African tribes that have
continued to live in an 18th century lifestyle, which have continued
with barbaric acts of raiding their neighbors (tribes) and gone on
practicing this at the expense of their own clan members. They
are a tribe that believes all the cows in the world are theirs.
They will literally take cows from anyone because they believe this.
They are warrior like and do not wear clothes in the northeast.
This particular displaced community of Karamojong came
to Jinja because of a severe drought. Most of
the children who are beggars on the streets of Jinja and
Kampala come from this tribe.
After a hard rain the night before, we discovered the road to this village
was impassable … literally! A car was stuck and we were not
about to attempt what they obviously failed to achieve. We
disembarked the vehicle and began a climb up the road to the village
where Michael lives.
was impassable … literally! A car was stuck and we were not
about to attempt what they obviously failed to achieve. We
disembarked the vehicle and began a climb up the road to the village
where Michael lives.
Michael weighed just 3 kilograms when Maureen found him abandoned behind her
shoe store. Her heart was filled with compassion and she
scooped him up, took him to the hospital, discovered he had
tuberculosis, bought his medication, and fed him for five months.
I couldn’t retrieve the photo of him in that condition from
Maureen’s phone, but he appeared to be on the verge of death.
During the time that Maureen cared for Michael she located the young
mother, a Karamojong. After Michael’s “recovery”
Maureen placed him back with his mother so that she could continue to
breast feed him.
shoe store. Her heart was filled with compassion and she
scooped him up, took him to the hospital, discovered he had
tuberculosis, bought his medication, and fed him for five months.
I couldn’t retrieve the photo of him in that condition from
Maureen’s phone, but he appeared to be on the verge of death.
During the time that Maureen cared for Michael she located the young
mother, a Karamojong. After Michael’s “recovery”
Maureen placed him back with his mother so that she could continue to
breast feed him.
Although Maureen travels to Masese every Friday to check on Michael
and take him food, this was a special day and Maureen was our tour
guide to the small mud hut in which he is surviving. Pam and I
believe that the impassable road was part of God’s plan to have us
literally walk past the filth and terrible conditions of this village
in order to increase our appreciation for Maureen’s amazing
ministry.
and take him food, this was a special day and Maureen was our tour
guide to the small mud hut in which he is surviving. Pam and I
believe that the impassable road was part of God’s plan to have us
literally walk past the filth and terrible conditions of this village
in order to increase our appreciation for Maureen’s amazing
ministry.
We found most of the woman working in an effort to get some food for the
throngs of children that were everywhere. We observed groups of
men gathered between huts and in bars doing nothing but drinking
alcohol … some were already passed out and waiting for the next day
to begin this cyclical behavior again. We shook our heads at
the small children who were cooking and stirring corn mash, and other
elements, that would be chemical substance for the men of the
community in the future. We avoided the feces and urine that
made walking the path to the house an obstacle course, even observing
some who were relieving themselves. We literally stopped to
watch a squatted, sleeping, swaying child of no more than 18 months
who was covered with flies. I attempted a photo, but the foot
traffic woke the baby and she became frightened of the while people.
throngs of children that were everywhere. We observed groups of
men gathered between huts and in bars doing nothing but drinking
alcohol … some were already passed out and waiting for the next day
to begin this cyclical behavior again. We shook our heads at
the small children who were cooking and stirring corn mash, and other
elements, that would be chemical substance for the men of the
community in the future. We avoided the feces and urine that
made walking the path to the house an obstacle course, even observing
some who were relieving themselves. We literally stopped to
watch a squatted, sleeping, swaying child of no more than 18 months
who was covered with flies. I attempted a photo, but the foot
traffic woke the baby and she became frightened of the while people.
We finally reached Michael’s hut which was almost the last one at the
top of the hill. A crowd gathered as I took photos of Michael,
his mother, his siblings, and some of the onlookers. You will
see from the photos that the women create scars on their bodies for
beauty, but also part of their worship of demons. Maureen held
Michael, fed him a hardboiled egg, and we thanked God for people like
her who are making an impact among their own people.
top of the hill. A crowd gathered as I took photos of Michael,
his mother, his siblings, and some of the onlookers. You will
see from the photos that the women create scars on their bodies for
beauty, but also part of their worship of demons. Maureen held
Michael, fed him a hardboiled egg, and we thanked God for people like
her who are making an impact among their own people.
On the way back to the car, Maureen noticed a lady off tour right.
She called out, “Sharon!” She had met this lady, one of the
rare Karamojong who speaks English (Maureen had to learn a
new language to minister to these people), in the hospital when she
was taking care of Michael. Sharon most likely has AIDS, but is
currently suffering from TB. Maureen told her to go back to the
hospital tomorrow and that she would come to see her. We know
that Maureen will be the one paying for the medication and providing
food.
She called out, “Sharon!” She had met this lady, one of the
rare Karamojong who speaks English (Maureen had to learn a
new language to minister to these people), in the hospital when she
was taking care of Michael. Sharon most likely has AIDS, but is
currently suffering from TB. Maureen told her to go back to the
hospital tomorrow and that she would come to see her. We know
that Maureen will be the one paying for the medication and providing
food.
This was a nasty place to be, and Pam and I were not there because we had
been assigned this territory by our Father. Instead we were
guests of a person who quietly goes about her work … ministering to
customers, family, friends, and strangers as a representative of our
Father. She is a full time minister of the Gospel of the
Kingdom. Maureen is a bright light in a world of darkness and
we are honored to call her our sister and friend.
been assigned this territory by our Father. Instead we were
guests of a person who quietly goes about her work … ministering to
customers, family, friends, and strangers as a representative of our
Father. She is a full time minister of the Gospel of the
Kingdom. Maureen is a bright light in a world of darkness and
we are honored to call her our sister and friend.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and
especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(Galatians 6:10)
especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(Galatians 6:10)