In Celebration of All Mothers

Isn't it easy to feel overwhelmed as a mom to young kids?  I know I have been a tad sarcastic the past few weeks (such as the day I had to clean vomit off the floor, not once, but three times) that I sure am glad we get a day to celebrate motherhood because it certainly only deserves a day. 

Then I take a step back and realize what a blessing it is to be a mom in the first place...and that motherhood is something that unites me with women around the world.  I know that no matter where I go, or who I meet, if I meet a mom we can share the common experience of caring for our babies and striving to give life to our family.

I have to share with you three stories that have been inspirational to me these past few months.  These three stories are of moms who, just like I am, are striving to provide the best for their family.  They want to raise their children well and live well.  We share the same heart goal, even though separated by miles and cultures. 


The first is Jalia. 

Jalia's story is profound:

Jalia loves art and has a degree in industrial and fine art from Makere University. As a mother of young children, she desired to stay at home with them, but also needed to provide a source of income for her family. It was then that her and her husband took a course on business as ministry. As a former Muslim, with 50 siblings, she wanted to reach out to others with the love of God while empowering them with work. Once a week, these women now gather to make jewelry, laugh, cry, and share their lives together. Jalia has a dream that African Style will grow, train more women in art skills, and find a market for their productions.

"Many women who work with me are really struggling. Most of these women are widows with children; they struggle to look for rent, school fees and food. But the interesting thing is that they are very hard working and some of them have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are in lot of poverty. They cry to us, yet we too can not do much for them, since we are still struggling with food and rent," Jalia wrote to me in an email. "I have a dream of becoming a famous Fashion/jewelry Designer. In this way I can attract a higher market, and be able to support my people, as they work to get out of poverty, which has crippled many; brought a lot of suffering and death in my family and my country at large and I have come to hate it. My dad died 2 months ago, he was much stressed, and because when ever it rained his house would flood. The day he died, it flooded so much that it covered the house up above the windows. He left 8 young children in that house, we are doing what ever we can to help, but the situation is big. We are Trusting God in this and working harder."

In a blog Jessica wrote:

I am humbled when she tells me how I can pray for her. “When you pray for us, pray that we live. The life expectancy in Uganda is so young and we want to see our children grow and teach them about Jesus. You don’t see old people in Uganda much. So please pray that we will live to see our children into adulthood.”

Here main prayer request is that she might live. Live.  Can you imagine??

Then there is the story of Asha.

Jessica shares:

" Asha is a widow and a mother of four – two by birth and two she is caring for because their mother died. Before working with Jennifer and Noonday, she had to decide which of her four children to send to school. Having this opportunity in front of her will give her the chance to send all of her kids to school." 

As a mom I talk about school choice all the time, but it is never the question of which of my children will go to school! 

And finally, there is Cora.

Jessica shares:

"When i met Coral, she was a very miserable young girl, she came to us to learn how to make paper beads, and to get work. After coming to the city to get work, she soon got into a relationship with an older man, who had 2 children with her. He soon left her in a rented house and went away forever. Coral was stranded, with 2 children, no rent for the house, no work, no food, and she didn't have any friends, or family in town. While still in that situation, she got another man who promised to pay her debts, and to care for her and her children. He, too, got her pregnant with no intention to marry her or care for her as he is a jobless man. We shared the story of God's love with Coral and she now loves God and isn't jumping from man to man. She is earning money to provide for her children and she has become the most hardworking and most committed member in our team. She earns more than all the other ladies because she is able to make more products. And she has mastered the red, Kampala with Love Necklace, which is the most difficult to create because the beads are so small."

These women inspire me with their strength, their persistence, and their hope for a better life for their children.  I hope to one day be a mother like them.  This is what I want to dwell on this Mother's day.