AWEMA’s ministry to Sudanese refugees includes a training program for married couples, which Fona and Haitham, alongside their spouses, recently attended. The training had a remarkable impact on their marriages.
Fona shared that she used to believe what people said about marriage – that it brings comfort and security; which wasn’t her experience after marriage! As a married woman, she wasn’t able to maintain a balance between work and family. This frustrated her husband and Fona would respond in anger. “We lived in conflict for a long time,” she recalls; “however, thanks to this training, I learned how to have productive dialogue with my husband and to discuss with him all family-related issues.” Fona’s husband also changed because of the training and began to spend more time at home, giving more attention to his family.
The lesson on the roles of husbands and wives was the most impactful on Haitham’s marriage. He explained that according to his tribe’s traditions, only husbands are supposed to work and provide for their family. “I didn’t allow my wife to work,” Haitham said, “so when I didn’t have a job, life was so hard for us. Until I learned the meaning of ‘a helper like him’. It’s true that providing for the family is primarily the husband’s responsibility, but it’s not right for him to forbid his wife from working if that’s what she wants.” Haitham and his wife also became keen on spending more time together despite this being a challenge since they both work.
Haitham is a church leader and has replicated this training in his local church. He also recognized the need for a specialized ministry to men, so he took the initiative and started a sports and Bible study ministry for men in his church.
Praise God who has been transforming many marriages through this training as couples come to understand and embrace the biblical teaching on marriage.
Help us continue to serve Sudanese refugees and reach more people like Fona and Haitham.