My heart was deeply touched when an Ugandan friend first shared a photo of Rachel and told me her sad story two years ago. Rachel and I have been friends ever since. She is one of the many Ugandan women mutilated by evil men who poured acid on her face and upper body. The acid removed her nose and eyelids, damaged her lips, and scarred her face and chest. To this day, Rachel does not know the identities of the three men who did this to her under the cover of night. The destruction of her physical appearance and the problems associated with the mutilation have forever changed Rachel's life (for more on this problem, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_throwing).
After the loss of her job as a secretary and all income (solely due to her physical appearance), Rachel began to experience severe depression and alienation by her family and community. Paul, a friend of mine and a pastor, eventually led Rachel to Jesus. Rachel is now a joyful, loving follower of Jesus seeking to use her story as a means to draw others to Christ.
For two years now, Over the Wall Ministries has been providing $75.00 a month to help Rachel with her physical needs. My friend Rick Schryber and I met with Rachel while visiting Uganda February 5-13, 2011.
Rachel sends her love and gratitude to all of my Over the Wall supporters who through their giving have helped Rachel live a healthy and more fruitful life. Rachel says she is now called by a new name in her home townb: "Mwana Wa Muzungu." It simply means, "Child of a White Father." I guess that's me.
What a privilege to know this amazing women who is so strong in her faith and forgiving toward those who destroyed her physical beauty.
