At 33 years old, Jennifer Mbeebi has already endured more than most face in a lifetime. Born in Burma, near Yeji, Jennifer grew up in the church, but her faith was severely tested when she was married off at age 18 to a non-Christian man much older than herself. After several years, she was left a widow with four young daughters.
Following local tradition, Jennifer was remarried into the same family. Though this union brought her a fifth daughter, it also brought maltreatment, illness, and crushing poverty. The daily struggle to feed five children eventually became unbearable. Jennifer made the difficult decision to leave the marriage and return to her family, eventually settling in Atebubu.
In Atebubu, Jennifer worked as a day laborer to provide for her girls until failing health forced her to stop. The family’s hardship was so great that her eldest daughter, only 15, began working at a “chop bar” to save for a tailoring apprenticeship, while another daughter had to be sent to live with a family friend.
It was at this low point that Jennifer encountered Missionary Charles Makate during a house-to-house outreach. When she heard the Audio Bible in her own language, the Word of God touched her heart with a power she hadn’t felt before. Right there, Jennifer surrendered her life to Christ. After receiving prayer for herself and her children, Jennifer found the peace that had eluded her for years. Today, she is a faithful member of the Atebubu Church, testifying that even in the midst of pain, there is new hope in Jesus.
