Uganda - Where no one else is welcome, a young woman shares the gospel freely.

After 23 years of conflict, the war in northern Uganda between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (a rebel group) began settling down in 2005. The peace talks between the rebels and the Ugandan government started in July 2006.

The cessation of hostilities opened the door for humanitarian and religious organizations to enter northern Uganda. However, gaining the trust and acceptance of the northern tribes is difficult because brutal treatment by government soldiers treated during the war and the apathy of the rest of the country to their plight. They are not interested in welcoming workers from outside organizations.

Unless, of course, you happen to share their tribal ethnicity and have lived through their experiences with them. Enter Suzan Opio.

Suzan was raised in both the Lira and Gulu districts of northern Uganda (areas of concentrated violence). Her family lives there still. Her tribal background is the same as the people she is trying to reach.

She went to a school called St. Mary’s College for three years. A few months after she left, the rebels invaded and abducted 150 girls from the school.

This connection gives Suzan a voice no one else has, a voice that can be heard without suspicion or anger by local ears that are eager to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

Suzan was fortunate enough to attend college. After graduating in 2004, her heart for the Lord led her to volunteer with Worldlink’s partner organization in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

By May of 2006, Suzan had answered the call to return to the north, carrying with her an effective ministry model, leadership skills, and burden for her people. As a result of Suzan’s willingness to serve God, an impressive network of volunteers, student groups, and ministry activities has sprung up across four of the most populous northern provinces in just three years.

Suzan’s ministry is currently reaching approximately 20,000 people, including about 24 churches and 120 schools. Children and youth are coming to Christ in numbers so large the ministry team sometimes struggles to effectively disciple all of them.

Suzan took a big risk in returning home to serve in such a challenging region, but the Lord called her and provided the tools for her ministry through Worldlink. Praise God for this faithful servant!