Saturday, May 11 Our 32nd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 19 • May 9, 2024 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
Josephine Nsubuga visits Rutherford County Connecting with friends and sharing her ministry of helping mothers in Uganda By Jean Gordon.
Standing at a long table on the patio at On Jenny and Christina nearly a decade ago while Main in Spindale recently, Josephine Nsubuga of they were on a mission trip to Mercy for Mamas in Uganda, Africa, greeted visitors as they looked at Uganda, she reached out to them. Prior to her visit the beautiful, colorful handmade crafts she brought to Rutherford County, she was attending a women’s to Rutherford County from her home 7,500 miles conference in Tennessee. (Mercy for Mamas is away. similar to the Fortress also offering help for young The jewelry, bracelets, aprons and other items mothers and babies. Help is also provided with safe were made by the young girls and mothers at the childbirth through prenatal education, mama kits Fortress, a ministry Josephine began in Kampala, a and other necessities). poor area of Uganda, for mothers and girls several Since their first trip to Uganda, Jenny and years ago. Christina, both mothers themselves, have made The Fortress is a Christian based, nonprofit several trips to Uganda to help in the ministries that organization that lovingly addresses the basic needs brings hope to women and young mothers. of young pregnant teens and other young mothers Jenny is hoping to return in 2025. who have been abused and victimized. She and her “It was a blessing to have Josephine here with us,” husband Pastor Titus Nsubuga, manage the charity Jenny said. “It was amazing to watch the community where women are housed in a safe environment. and churches support her and love on her. Josephine, a good friend of Christina Greene “When we started planning so many things kept and Jenny Holland of Rutherford County, shared falling thru. But in the end the perfect connections her story several times while visiting here. She was and opportunities happened. God definitely had His an orphan at age 13 after the death of her parents hand in each place and person that connected with and was left to care for her siblings. her. She told me one of the days that her prayer is Although she experienced challenges every ‘God open the doors You want me to walk thru, and day as a young teen caring for siblings and others, shut the ones You don’t.’ And that’s exactly what He her dream was to become a nurse specializing in did.” midwifery. As difficult as the struggles were, she Christina said, “My family and I loved having A mother of three children, Josephine Nsubuga of Uganda shared Josephine in our home and sharing time together. never lost sight of her dream. While she was working at a National referral her ministry stories recently during a visit to Rutherford County. She is an amazing woman of the Lord and is hospital in midwifery, she said young girls who doing great work in Uganda. She made a lot of them. fallen victims to abuse and crime. connections in Rutherford County and I can’t wait to She continued her education, receiving degrees see what God does through her time here. We hope “I saw the plight of these girls,” she said. in counseling and guidance, in order to meet the to meet her family one day, too.” Recognizing God’s calling on her life to help these mental and spiritual needs of young women with young victims and soon-to-be mothers, she realized During talks at Florence Baptist and at Father’s she needed more than her nursing degree to help whom she came in contact. At that point in her life, Vineyard in Spindale, Josephine said it was clear the Fortress was begun. that God had called her to help these young women At the Fortress young girls find a safe home, food and to begin the Fortress. and every basic need through its programs and Continued on page 5. support. “They stay with us from six months to a year where they receive everything they need to start their new lives,” she said, of the young mothers. Every new mother at the Fortress has every basic thing they need as young mothers - baby kit, diapers and every four months there is a baby shower at the Fortress. The Fortress provides mentoring, discipleship, Baby and Mama life saving kits during pregnancy and time of birth and “most of all they are loved, Josephine said. “It is a safe loving home for the teenager in crisis” where medical care, life skills and hand skills are provided for the mothers to be able to make it on their own after they move from the Fortress. Josephine and the Fortress staff believe in the “Transformative power of love...love is the most excellent way for changing and restoring lives,” she Rebecca Ennis shares a baby blanket and cap made by the Knit, Crocket and Pray group at Florence Baptist Church. said. Josephine’s visit to Rutherford County recently The Hands of Hope in Forest City also provided gifts for was her first time in North Carolina. Having met Josephine talks with Roxi and Bruce at On Main Saturday. Josephine and the Fortress.
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