Note from The Board, August 2026

A Flame of Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness

Scott Genzman. U4A Board Member

We all know how powerful hope can be in our lives. We’ve all experienced times where hope seemed in very short supply.  Times when the road ahead of us appeared bleak and daunting. When hopelessness threatened to take over our lives. 

Hopelessness can be such a frightening prospect to face for an adult.  But think about what your level of hopelessness might be if, at a very young age, you were a young lady wed to a much older man. Worse yet, trapped in an arranged, forced marriage to him that you desperately did not want.  

Or what if you were a young lady who was physically or sexually abused beginning at a very young age? And the abuse continued unabated for years? I’m sure that if you or I were in that circumstance, we would find it very difficult to get up every morning and move forward with life, much less have any idea of how to deal with all the emotions from such traumatic experiences. At that point, platitudes and unfulfilled hope that somehow things would get better would land on our hearts like hollow promises.  

But 100 of these young ladies, ages 13 to 21, will be given hope and much more during an upcoming event in Kenya with Unite 4 Africa. Dr. Okongo, Shyla, and a team of leaders will be conducting a four-day “deep dive” healing and restoration retreat with these precious young ladies. Each one of them will be given practical, empowering strategies for healing from their emotional and spiritual trauma. Face-to-face counseling will address their individual situations. Many of these girls have no or limited access to sanitary pads we call “dignity pads.” The lack of this basic need often keeps them home from school a few days each month, forcing them to fall behind on their education. They’ll leave the retreat with a supply of this vital necessity.  And most importantly, every one of them will be repeatedly assured by word and action of God’s love for them and that they are valued and precious to Him and to us. 

I can only imagine the messages that will soon be delivered by the team — the sparks of hope that will, throughout those four days, be fanned into flames of hope in these ladies’ hearts, burning away their hopelessness. During this time, the truth of God will be spoken into their lives, and the one true Hope found in Jesus will be clearly articulated. 

In what ways will lives be changed? What will the ripple effects be from the powerful God-inspired words spoken that will undoubtedly impact generations to come?  I don’t know what all God will do with those four days, but I am very clear that without us, the Body of Christ, the truth and hope of Jesus would not be delivered to these young ladies, God’s children. 

And that’s not all.  God is doing so much more for other children through those who support Unite 4 Africa.  Last year, God moved in the hearts of a couple who helped build a school in a remote community in Kenya. With these resources, the leadership in Kenya was able to build a 15-room school structured so that a second story can be added once the resources are available from other donors. This school will support 3000 students on a rotating basis. Some students will walk miles a day to attend. Another donor couple is working with their family members and a few close friends to gather financial resources to provide desks and other school supplies.

This school, nearing completion and already educating some students, is where the four-day retreat will take place. Many of the 100 girls will come from many miles away and so will not be able to return home each night to avoid lions, hyenas, and other dangers. They’ll sleep at the school on mats and sheets provided by another donor. Other friends of Unite 4 Africa were used by God to provide resources for the plane tickets and transportation for Okongo and Shyla. People in the local community will provide food and support for these ladies. Further, an additional 30 ladies that are more mature will be trained at the same time to come alongside these younger ladies and disciple them long-term.

None of this happens without the body of Christ working together. So the next time you wonder how God can use you to impact others, remember how God will use you in so many ways as you support the work of Unite 4 Africa.  Look Heavenward in amazement and thank God for enlisting you to change the lives of others.  I promise that when you do, your path forward will look brighter. And more hopeful. All of us on the board of Unite 4 Africa are humbled by your faithfulness and obedience to God in supporting His plan in changing these young ladies’ lives.

To be a part of what God is doing in the lives of these young ladies and so many others, visit www.Unite4Africa.com/donate.