It takes Courage to step out

It takes courage to step out….

Having spent two weeks in Uganda last month, I've never been more affected by the sheer number of people stepping up outside their comfort zone, putting aside their own fears and needs, having courage to trust that God will open a path and willing to work toward making life better for others and as a result, themselves.

Perhaps, it was just the circles that I traveled in.  The trip was focused on empowering others. Yet, in grocery stores, markets, guest houses, hotels, restaurants, and certainly in the children, families and businesses that have been influenced by World Vision and in the precious young girls that have been lifted by Destiny Women, I experienced the trans-formative power of God’s grace and his abundant love. This trans-formative love, gives hope, which leads to courage; to walk the extra mile, prepare the extra food, make way for the stranger who is more in need than you, mentor young people to use their God given talents, take action and lead people on the right path.  

It was a living bible lesson for Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Never, had I been exposed to more evidence of this - everywhere – every day.

Dreams Do Come True!
Esther, A Destiny Girl
 Graduates with a Diploma in Social Wo

• Evidence that trusting where God will lead you, can make an Impact on so many.
• Evidence of how trust transforms to hope.
• Evidence that hope transformed creates excitement for big dreams.
• Evidence where dreams give rise to clear vision.
• Evidence that vision is transformed into leadership, by putting aside fear, and having courage to step up and step out.
• Evidence that leadership, sanctioned in love, creates a space for dreams to come true.

Last week, in my first blog, I wrote how Amilia’s Light’s  intends to “Illuminate Our World.” Our vision is to create a world where women are safe, valued, loved, educated and have opportunity.  Destiny Women –Uganda is evidence of how this can be done.

They got their start, when God’s voice was heard in the plight of a young girl, standing outside the university gates, where Fulukas and Miriam attended.  Her name was Sheila, and she was only 13. She hoped that Fulukas would take up her offer “for a good time”.  Instead, worried that she would be kidnapped or get HIV, he offered the only money he had ($1000 UGX – about 30 cents) and some advice. With tears rolling down her face, she responded, “I’d rather die of HIV than suffer at the hands of my auntie and die from no food.”

Fulukas told Miriam about Sheila, and they continued to pray about it. . After they were married, they took in some girls, helped them to heal and to create new healthy lives.  A local NGO (now closed) heard about Miriam’s work and was able to refer some of the girls to local programs, which Miriam organized. Still, most of the girls were on their own. During that time, they continued to foster the dream, that one day they would build a center that would rescue and restore hope, identity, dignity and destiny of young girls rescued from commercial sex exploitation and trafficking. A program that would provide the necessary psycho-social work needed, alongside empowerment, where they could learn about God’s grace and how the past can be just that  - the past.

Visiting the Board of Destiny Women

Fast forward. This dream has begun to be realized.  Destiny Women has successfully helped over fifty young women who are working toward creating lives filled with hope and promise.

While it is still their goal to build that center (and it is our’s too!  The future Amilia Rehabilitation Center), the current focus is to create opportunities for these young women to find a safe haven to live and work, and to pursue their God given talents.


I am so honored to announce, that Amilia’s Light is partnering with Destiny Women to create this opportunity, for an Empowerment Project, and we have committed to raising $25,000 to bring this program to light. You’ll be hearing more about this in the months to come, as we roll out the project.  Please consider donating, as we work hard to reach this goal.

Michelle Mannarino Luhrmann

Founder,  Amilia’s Light

#Illuminateourworld!