Until two months ago, Sauda’s life in Western Uganda was marked by fear, abuse, and hopelessness.

For years, her father — a prominent local Muslim leader — abused her in multiple ways.

“My father was merciless,” Sauda told an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer. “He could force us to go to the mosque while at the same time abusing me, sometimes claiming that it was his right to do whatever he wanted to me.”

After recently hearing the gospel and learning that, through Christ, she could experience a newness of life, she made the life-changing decision to follow Jesus. Suddenly, Sauda had hope. Her suffering, however, took on a new dimension.

When they learned she had left Islam to follow Jesus, Sauda’s family rejected her and threatened to kill her. She fled to save her life. These stories are somewhat common in parts of Uganda.

After failing to kill her, Sauda’s father allegedly began sending friends to hunt her down. Now, Sauda said every familiar Muslim face wearing a djellaba and kuffi reminds her that her life is in danger. She said she believes many would consider killing her a way of earning blessings from Allah.

“I never knew this journey would be this painful,” Sauda said. “The attacks have been so intense that I fear for my life simply because I accepted Jesus Christ! My father is hunting for me the same way a leopard hunts an antelope.”

A New Creation

Amid Sauda’s suffering, God brought someone into her life. Her new Christian friend became a source of spiritual encouragement and emotional support, helping her navigate her difficult circumstances with wisdom. Sauda is still dealing with the effects of her decision to follow Christ.

“My father is now hunting for me,” she said. “I know he will kill me if he finds me, but thankfully, I have repented of my sins.”

Even as she continues to live under the threat of death, Sauda said Christ is restoring what years of abuse had broken.

“Jesus did not erase my memories overnight, but he has been healing my heart day by day,” she said. “He replaced my shame with hope.”

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