One teen girl’s journey from broken family to hopeful future

Burkina Faso (MNN) — Marina is a teen girl from a broken home living in Burkina Faso, a broken country. It sounds like a hopeless start, but God!

Marina is one of 23 siblings — her father has four wives, and was known as a harsh, distant man.

Although Burkina Faso is largely Muslim, Marina’s mother heard the Gospel at a local church and began following Jesus. Eventually, her father did too, and the family dynamic has changed.

Greg Yoder with Christian World Outreach (CWO) says, today, the ministry is holistically supporting Marina’s faith and future through the Village of Opportunity (VOO).

“Marina is now a sewing student at the Village of Opportunity and excited about growing in her faith, learning a trade… and her whole family is just excited about the possibilities that come from that.”

At the VOO, students gain more than a career start. “Community is very big at the Village of Opportunity,” says Yoder. “Our leaders there treat these girls like their family.”

For Marina, the community aspect is crucial since she is also grieving the loss of a dear friend. At the VOO, Marina sees the Body of Christ at work.

“She’s got the support of our staff, but also the other young ladies that attend the vocational school there. They encourage each other [and] they grow together in their faith,” says Yoder.

“Our hope is that they (students) will go back to their villages and make a difference and share what they’ve learned, but also share about Jesus and share the Gospel with the people around them.”

Pray for Marina and her classmates as they train, grow, and shine Christ’s light in Burkina Faso.

“If God calls you to give financially to support this ministry, costs have gone up for the food and things that we need to minister to these young ladies. We appreciate God’s people coming together and doing that.”

Click here to give to CWO’s ministry in Burkina Faso.

 

 

 

Header photo courtesy of CWO.