AFRICA — A single mother of three in dire need, Shahd* was desperate when she called the national missionary supported by Christian Aid Mission. The missionary responded with compassionate aid and support, providing Shahd with the means to establish her own business and empowering her to provide for her family. According to the mission organization, the 42-year-old woman’s tears turned to joy.^[1]

Because of the pandemic, Shahd had struggled to earn enough income to support herself and her children. This was the latest in a long string of difficulties that had plagued her for many years.

Eight years prior, Shahd’s husband had abandoned her, leaving her with no financial support to provide for their three children. Shahd had gone to great lengths to meet their basic needs. She had even sold a kidney.

“She thought that even if she passed away, her children would get enough money to live a decent life,” the missionary said. “This hit us badly—how could loneliness and poverty push someone to do such thing?”

Shahd later gained employment as a school bus supervisor, but when schools closed in response to the pandemic, her job disappeared. To make matters worse, Shahd was in debt, and while she was jobless, creditors sought repayment. Shahd had grown desperate and was considering selling part of her liver.

In her anguish, Shahd called the local ministry to seek help. According to Christian Aid Mission, “The leader assured her that God had not forgotten her in spite of everything she had been through and that, just as the Lord’s heart was tender toward Hagar in Genesis chapter 21, He was compassionate toward her and her children as well.”^[2]

The missionary also offered practical assistance. In response to Shahd’s immediate needs, the ministry arranged to take care of three months of her overdue rent and a month of the loan she had been forced to take out. They also arranged to provide her with food. As a long-term solution to her problems, they helped Shahd establish herself in business selling clothes.

“Workers were pleasantly surprised to see Shahd undertake the project ‘like a dynamo,’” said Christian Aid Mission, “plunging in with all her energy.”^[3]

Shahd’s enthusiastic efforts resulted in success, and she began receiving many orders for clothing.

“With every message or phone call, we experienced how the tears of shame, helplessness and loneliness turned into tears of joy, gratitude and contentment,” the missionary said. “We thank the Lord for His love and divine interventions in the lives of such women regardless of color, religion, gender or race. He is God, who is love.”^[4]

*Name has been changed for security

About Christian Aid Mission

According to their website, “Christian Aid Mission (www.christianaid.org) seeks to establish a witness for Christ in every nation by assisting indigenous ministries based in areas of poverty and persecution, giving priority to ministries sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with unreached people groups.” The organization works with hundreds of indigenous ministries in eight regions of the world.^[5]

Read more news on Non Profit / Faith Based Organizations, Humanitarian Services, the COVID 19 Pandemic and Poverty Alleviation on Missions Box.