From the Village to the Vine: Jenny's Story of Motherhood, Ministry and Faith

When Jenny talks about her family, her face lights up. She’s been married to her husband Obed for just over three years, and together they’re raising two young children—Haddon Polycarp, who’s two years old, and Karissa Danielle, who’s one. Their story began during Uganda’s COVID lockdown in 2020, when Obed—a pastor and close friend of Jenny’s cousin—invited her to a Bible study over WhatsApp. As they walked through the book of Daniel, a deeper relationship started to take root. 

Their days are centered on family and faith. Breakfast is often millet porridge, bread, or sweet potatoes, with the occasional treat of katogo—a mix of green banana and potatoes cooked in peanut paste. After morning play and naps, Jenny cooks enough for lunch and supper to make the nighttime easier. But the heart of their home is the evening devotion time. At 8 p.m., the whole family gathers to sing hymns, read scripture, and pray together. “Haddon can now sit and pay attention,” she says proudly. Jenny and Obed also hope to homeschool their children, seeing it as a way to disciple them deeply and personally. “Seeing them grow,” Jennifer says, “that brings me joy. Karissa just started walking. Haddon surprises us with how much he remembers. “Obed saw how passionate I was about the Word,” Jenny says. Their shared heart for God and for children was clear from the start. While many Ugandan families hire nannies to help during the week, Jenny and Obed approach parenting as a team. When she’s working, he’s at home—and vice versa.

But Jenny’s story didn’t start in a home like this.

She grew up in a rural village, the fourth of seven children. Her mother worked tirelessly in the fields—rain or shine—digging every day to feed the family. Jenny’s love for children began early, shaped by her role as an older sibling. Her walk to school was long—often leaving home before 6 a.m. to make it to class. “I didn’t enjoy school,” she admits, “mostly because the journey was exhausting.” But she persevered, eventually attending university in Mbarara (a city in southwest Uganda) where she earned a degree in Development Studies.

Jennifer’s spiritual journey unfolded gradually. Though raised in an Anglican home, it wasn’t until university that her understanding of God truly deepened. A friend invited her to an evangelical church fellowship, and at first, she felt out of place—she didn’t sing well and didn’t know much about the Bible. But one Sunday, a visiting preacher gave a message about purity. “My eyes were opened,” she recalls. “I saw my sin, and my need for a Savior.”

That day changed everything. She had a desire to grow in her faith and learn to pray and study the Bible. After graduation, she joined Bible Study Fellowship, began teaching Sunday School, and grew deep in her faith. It was during this season that she met Obed.

At Hope Alive!, Jenny now works as the Kampala site manager, meeting students one-on-one to check in on their emotional, spiritual, and academic well-being. “Some students open up quickly,” she says. “Others take time. But when they do, it’s so powerful to walk with them.”

One of her proudest moments at the site was organizing the Christmas party—bringing mentors and students together, involving the students in the planning, shopping, and setup. “It made them feel needed and seen,” she says. “They were so excited to help.”

Her time at Hope Alive! has also shaped how she mothers. “Sometimes I see our students not engaged with the Lord, and it reminds me how deeply I want to spiritually invest in my own children.”

Jenny is passionate about encouraging young mothers, from the moment they find out they’re pregnant. Her advice? “Trust the Lord in every step. But don’t walk alone. If you’re struggling, talk to someone you trust.”

For Jenny, motherhood isn’t just a role; it’s a calling. Whether she’s leading devotions at home or sitting across from a student in need, her heart is steady, grounded in the gospel, and open to whoever God places in front of her. We’re so grateful for the gentle spirit, listening ear, and loving heart Jenny brings to the Kampala site. Thank you for serving students so well and consistently pointing them to Jesus!