Looking back, Nancy could see God’s hand of protection guiding her to financial independence. But the road she walked to get there took some treacherous twists and turns. Her journey to financial freedom began with a crisis.
Nancy Escapes from Forced Marriage
The sun beat down on the wood and clay framework of Nancy’s home. As she walked home from school with her bare feet burning on the hot sand, Nancy raced her younger siblings during the last bit of their journey.
When they reached the shade of their home, Nancy shouted, “Mama! Mama!” Her call was met with eerie silence. Nancy looked inside for her mother. She found her hunched over her chair in tears: “Your father decided he wants to abandon our family. He found a new wife and has left all of us with nothing.”
As the years passed, deep roots of bitterness toward her father grew in Nancy’s heart. When her father left the family, he stripped them of financial security and protection. Nancy and her siblings were forced to drop out of school. She described her hopelessness: “The divorce ended my schooling. How do I help my family if I can’t get an education?”
In the village, people noticed Nancy’s beauty. One of the older men, who already had four wives, approached Nancy’s father and offered a large percentage of his animals in exchange for her hand in marriage. As Nancy returned from her trip to collect water, she found her father waiting at the entrance of her home. He explained that if she agreed to marry the older man, he would help support the rest of her siblings and their school. Nancy felt betrayed by her father, who seemed only to care about receiving animals in exchange for her arranged marriage.
Later that night, Nancy remembered the words from her father: “If you refuse to marry him, we will force you into this marriage!” Sadly, her only way out was to run away from home. So, Nancy gathered a few of her things and ran into the shadows of the night.
Nancy’s Journey to Financial Freedom
In time, Nancy began attending a church in Turkana County. In the middle of the desert, the church had started planting the first seeds of a farm and choosing farmers, opening new opportunities for families living in extreme poverty. But unfortunately, Nancy wasn’t selected.
Nancy didn’t know that during this season, the Lord was planting the seeds of grace and endurance in her heart. The farm began to flourish as the months passed, and opportunities opened for new farmers. Then, finally, Nancy found her name on the list!
As Nancy began sowing and watering the tomato seeds, her heart softened. She listened to the songs of gratitude coming from the voices of her fellow farmers, and hope began to grow. Each day, the farmers had a dedicated time to learn more about Scripture and the gift of grace that comes with knowing Jesus. Nancy’s hard heart softened to the truth of God’s love as she received Jesus’ gift of salvation.
Today, Nancy is one of the leading farmers in Natoot Farm. She was selected to attend a prestigious agriculture training in Boringo, was interviewed by the BBC, and has a beautiful family. Her story of redemption didn’t end when she accepted Jesus but only began. As a result of her new relationship with Jesus, Nancy reconnected with her father and showed him the farm. When he saw the farm and how the Lord had blessed Nancy, he apologized for hurting her. Nancy has forgiven him, and they are rebuilding their relationship.
Now, Nancy can provide for her younger siblings and pay their school fees by working at the farm. She shared: “I never knew that from this soil, it could create a new life. We are very grateful to God for the support from His people! We pray that the Lord blesses Bright Hope for the work that is being done.”
Help Women Like Nancy Achieve Financial Freedom
Nancy’s story of financial freedom wouldn’t have been possible without the redemptive influence of the Natoot Farm in her life. Now it’s time to expand the farm and add 150 more families!
You can transform one farmer’s life with your gift of $70, while your gift of $350 will provide an entire family with a plot of land to plant crops.
Your generous gift will enable farmers to grow crops to sell in the marketplace, meet their children’s needs for healthy food and education and plant seeds of hope in the next generation. Thank you for prayerfully considering how you can get involved!
