Getting my hair colored at a beauty salon—an unlikely place to learn about something that changes the focus of your heart and life. But that’s where I first heard about the 20-year war in Uganda, a conflict that was brutally impacting countless children and families. God stirred in me a compassion and passion to help these vulnerable children (and so many more). Within a year, I found myself in Gulu, northern Uganda, on a short-term trip, meeting the resilient and inspiring Acholi people. Despite the years of war, they worshipped God with a joy and freedom I had never experienced. And to say I wasn’t the international mission trip type is an understatement—I didn’t even go camping for vacations. But God knew how to awaken me to the needs and beauty in the body of Christ.
From that awakening, the Lord continued to grow my concern for vulnerable children around the world. Fast forward a few years, and I started working at Forward Edge—a dream come true, helping children discover their God-given worth and purpose.
In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to lead a video team in Uganda to capture the story of what God was doing in the lives of Bonny, our program director, and Aminah, a precious young lady in the program. The trip took us to Kampala, a city in southern Uganda, quite different from Gulu, where I had been before. In Kampala, people speak a completely different language and belong to different tribes. Uganda, a country shaped by colonization, sees its northern and southern regions as very distinct.
As we wrapped up filming, Bonny told us we were going to meet the women from ‘The Women of the Word Savings and Craft Club.’ I was excited because I owned some of their hand-rolled beaded jewelry and wanted to express how much I loved it. But God had more in store for us all—these were Acholi women originally from the north. These brave women had uprooted their lives during the civil war, moving south to protect their children and give them a future, despite the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture. It was a joy to tell them I had been to their home territory and knew a bit of their story. They were so blessed—there was much hugging and crying all around!
Their stories are so beautiful, and I am grateful that Forward Edge has been able to help them. Thanks to the Forward Edge program, their children are all in school. Some of the women have bought land or homes. Others have started or expanded businesses in farming, tailoring, retail, baking, and more, even training younger women in skills they can use to earn a living.
For all of us, it was a reminder that God sees each of us, remembers our stories, and touches our hearts in individual ways. I am thankful that He brought me to meet my sisters, who remain in my heart.
The beautiful handmade jewelry created by these amazing women will be for sale in our World Market at the Worth and Purpose Benefit for Children.
Love has a way of radically transforming lives. At Forward Edge, we place our focus on helping children trapped in poverty reach their full, God-given potential (Ephesians 2:10) by meeting their basic needs (food, safe water, health care) and empowering them with quality education, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. This
Relationships are everything. And it’s not just those in the U.S. reaching out to other countries; it’s the entire Global Church engaging with and learning from each other. As an organization, we seek to foster and steward those vital relationships. Recently, the director of our Uganda children’s program, Bonny Lugayizi,
This November, Forward Edge International celebrated 40 years of fruitful ministry at our annual Worth & Purpose Benefit for Children. As part of the celebration, Forward Edge’s Program Directors were invited to attend from around the world. As preparations and accommodations were being made, I learned that our Haitian Program
“Every Saturday, my heart was filled with joy,” says Elvin, reflecting on the love and care he found at Cornerstone Kosova. Growing up in the harsh realities of Kosova, Elvin once faced a life full of hardship. But through the community’s love and the teachings of Jesus, his life was transformed. Now 15, Elvin’s journey of hope continues, and he’s sharing that same love with others.
14 yrs. old
Entered the program: March 2023
Abdul Basit (who goes by Basit) lives with his parents, two younger brothers, his grandmother and uncle in a four-bedroom house built with mud and roofed with thatch. They have no latrine. They have electricity but no access to potable water. They fetch water from a village dam until it dries up and then the village women must travel long distances to find more.
Basit’s family is Christian. His father is a small-hold farmer who cultivates maize to feed the family. Though it is hard to keep food on the table, through the support of Create hope the family now has three meals a day instead of one. On some days they only have one meal a day. His mother is a housewife. It is so difficult to provide the basic needs of the children, without Create Hope, Basit’s ability to attend school would have suffered.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
