Can A Can of Oil Transform Lives?
by Prof Lois M. Semenye, PhD, Women's Institute Associate
The world view claims that you have to have a lot of money to survive. Is this true? Some widows from Kangundo a small town in the east of Nairobi are learning that in God’s scale, it is possible to survive without millions of shillings. These ladies are in association called ‘Ufuta’ meaning little oil.
The founder of this association – Aunt Sarah Mutua identified with the flight of widows, as she became one. In many cases, when one’s husband dies; the family of the man would immediately demand the property of their late son. They ignore the fact that the widowed wife and her children would need financial support, to educate, clothe, feed and have a home. Often the widow is left unattended and more so when one refuses to be inherited. Widows face agony that only the Lord and bring peace.
Sarah married at the age of 40 years and was blessed with two sons. With her husband Simon, they served as missionaries and barely did they have extra funds. By faith, they were able to put up a simple brick house with corrugated iron sheets at Kangundo. The neighbors knew this couple had a lot of money. Unfortunately, Simon died a premature death when a fast-moving vehicle hit him. The boys were still attending primary school.
Sarah being a committed Christian put her faith in the one she knew – God who would be her husband and father to her boys. Through her struggle, she empathized with similar widows in that community. She started to evangelize, hold a fellowship with them, even bringing other widows from Nairobi to encourage and pray with them. This fellowship unfolded to Community Based Organization and was named Ufuta. It was registered by the local government and Sarah acquired certification with three tenets; Spiritual, Economic and Social.
The Ufuta concept, is based on 2 Kings 4: 1-7; The Widow with a Little Oil with Elisha. The widows were able to identify with this lady in the Bible in these areas:
They have debts to pay and had relational issues
They all have children
The Ufuta Women also learned a lot from this widow in the Bible
The widow in the Bible did not go to any man for help but the Prophet Elisha
She went to God for help through the Prophet
She was honest with what she had
She obeyed and took steps of faith
She had raised obedient children who obeyed what she told them to get empty cans from the neighbors
The woman’s faith and children’s obedience led to the miracle
9. The woman was instructed by Elisha to sell the oil and pay her debts and was able to maintain her family with what was left.
The women learned what they have in their hands and use it to generate income. They also learned to maintain good relations with their neighbors and raise godly children. Also, they need to grow spiritually.
Sarah stated that, it was not all that easy, there were and are challenges along the way. Some of the widows were not able to keep up with their guidelines and opted to leave the group. Ufuta now is composed of six ladies and Sarah as the leader. They meet once a week where they sing, pray listen and Study the Word that has relevancy to them. They share their personal application from each Bible story and they encourage each other. They also practice the principle of ‘what do I have in my hands’ to use and boost them economically.
They have a desire to introduce this concept to other regions. These widows of Kangundo have witnessed the mercies of God, peace and believe that it is possible to survive with very little in the Lord despite the hardship. The little ‘can of oil’ they have; is being used to transform their lives.
What ‘can of oil’ do you have in your hands? This can be used of God to impact you and a community!
