Mama Ahok
With no extended family to help, she went to the church for help.
For partner, David Lual, who leads Community Network Ministries, women play a key role in the advancement of the gospel and care of the church community. This month, he introduces us to one of these women, Mama Ahok.
“Meet Mama Ahok, who in late 2023 returned once again to South Sudan to escape the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Upon her return, she faced significant challenges. Her husband remained in Sudan and her eldest son fled to Egypt. Without government or ministry aid, they were left to fend for themselves or search for family members willing to take them in.
Traveling with her two young daughters and son, Ahok was unable to locate any family to help her find shelter. She discovered that many of her relatives did not survive the conflict and others sought refuge elsewhere.
Her situation was dire. She connected with fellow church members who had also returned from Sudan. Together they went to the church for help. The church was able to offer her and her children temporary housing on the church premises while she sought other ways to support her family.
The church soon recognized Ahok's deep devotion to God. She enjoyed singing and teaching local dances to women. Noticing the inactivity of the women's ministry, she desired to revitalize it. She engaged women individually, encouraging them to gather. They designated Tuesdays for their meetings. During these gatherings, she would uplift them with gospel songs and dance lessons. She later established a prayer network, where women would meet at a member's home every Tuesday to pray, reach out to their neighbors, and share the gospel.
Ahok also inspired the women to create a contribution box to fund their activities. Recently, she has organized them to cultivate a small garden for farming, believing that the church should have a sustainable source of income through agriculture.
Would you please pray for Ahok as she continues to uplift and encourage women, for the well-being of her and her children, and better educational opportunities?”