Sarah & Henry in front of the house he built
Pastor Henry and his wife, Sarah, operated a fish resell business for many years. Henry rode his bicycle four miles to purchase wholesale fish. Then he returned to his village to prepare the fish for sale. He either smoked or fried the fish and then got back on his bicycle to sell the fish on his 30 mile route! 30 miles. On a bike. Every day. Can you imagine that?
Say Yes gave Henry $200 in 2012 – with that money he was able to increase his fish purchases and keep his bike in good repair. This allowed him to sell more fish, which in turn allowed him to buy land and build a 3-room brick house and keep his children in school – the oldest even going to university. However, the laborious work started causing Henry some health problems. He was having back pain and his heart was hurting. He needed something other than a bike to get his fish sold.
Two bodabodas for Henry!
In 2014 Say Yes took the matter to donors and we were able to provide enough funds for Henry to purchase a new motorcycle (called a “bodaboda” in Uganda). He was overwhelmed with such a gift! His health improved significantly and he was able to increase his business even more. When we saw Henry in 2015 he had already purchased another bodaboda (used) and hired a man to help him sell the fish.
This is a
n incredible success story and is a direct result of the goodness of the Lord! However, life seldom remains the same – challenges come and go and it’s up to us to decide how we will deal with them. That second used bodaboda Henry purchased was stolen some time in 2016. The fish market was in decline – the fish were too small to legally sell.
Although Sarah continued selling produce at their near empty fish stand in the village, Henry had to figure something else out. After all those years of selling fish, what would he do now? He decided to focus on selling second hand men’s clothing. He was already known as the traveling fish salesman, it didn’t seem too much of a switch up to be a traveling clothing salesman. So that is what Henry is doing now. Once again, Say Yes was able to help him get established in a new type of business – used clothing. He is doing well; is very happy with the business; and is still able to sustain his family. His son is even helping him on his route! This is a clear case in point – when you keep your focus on the Lord, and not the circumstances, you remain in peace and wait for His deliverance. His promises are yes and amen! He will never leave us or forsake us!
Click on the link below to watch Henry & Sarah’s joy at receiving money to “top up” the inventory to their used men’s clothing business – you are sure to smile!
Pastor Henry & Sarah with a picture of their daughter who graduated university with two degrees in 2017 – it was the fish business that made this possible!
Henry in front of his house (newly painted) and the kitchen Say Yes paid for – Sarah is now covered when she fixes meals and she has storage space.
Henry was able to also purchase two goats, which is likely to grow into a herd rather quickly. Another income stream for the family.
Henry with his bike he used to put the fish in the basket to sell
Another view of the local fish stand in their village
The old “kitchen” Henry and Sarah would use to prepare the fish and to fix meals. Thank goodness this is gone, replaced by something much better for now.