By Linda Jones
07/10/2018 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – On May 12, 2017, al-Shabaab militants targeted several Christians in an attack on workers at a quarry in Kenya. Simon Nderitu was killed, leaving his wife to provide for their two unemployed children and three grandchildren. The family quickly began to struggle financially after losing their sole breadwinner, rendering them unable to cover many of their day-to-day expenses.
When International Christian Concern (ICC) learned about the family’s struggles, we teamed up with local partners to help Mary, Simon’s widow, start a small business that would help her support her family. Mary already had experience selling clothing, so we helped her set up a boutique near a local shopping center where there is enough traffic to attract customers. Mary also received business management training by taking courses in business and entrepreneurship, microfinance, and accounting.
Mary and her family were very grateful for the assistance, and she was able to see God’s hand and provision in the middle of a difficult season.
Mary shared, “I can only say that God is good. When I thought that my life was ending, ICC came to visit me twice, and now they have opened a shop for me and my family. I feel comforted by the provision I am getting from my business and although it cannot fill the gap my husband left, ICC has taught me that God is the husband to the widow and father to the fatherless. Please accept my thankfulness and continue praying for me to succeed in my new clothing business.”
Even though we were able to assist Mary and her family with this small business, there is still much work to be done. Therefore, please pray for the success of the business during this season of transition for Mary. Ask God to give her strength and wisdom to be a good steward and to use her as a testimony for others to see His mercy. Please pray for the family’s emotional and spiritual healing as they have lost a husband and father who was very loved.
For interviews with Nathan Johnson, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org
