Bazaar Story: Jars of Oil Mission Africa

Living with HIV filled Harriet’s heart with anxiety. She worried about her three grandchildren’s future, given her health condition. All she could see were storm clouds ahead. She was afraid her grandkids would suffer more heartache if her health failed.

But Harriet joined the JOMA program. JOMA provided food packages, helped her start a garden she could use to feed her grandchildren, and ensured she received the proper medical care to stay healthy. Her family’s life was turned upside down when they were introduced to Jesus. Harriet and her grandkids became Christians, and her health has improved. For the first time, Harriet sees hope on the horizon.

God is using JOMA to transform the lives of widows and orphans by demonstrating God’s love—and teaching us how to care for the vulnerable around us.

JOMA ministers to elderly widows (affectionately referred to as grannies) who lost their children to AIDS and now take care of their grandchildren. With compassion, the ministry breaks through the shame and stigma associated with AIDS to meet grannies’ physical and spiritual needs.

For months, Sarah’s poor health confined her to a bed. Despair covered Sarah like a rain cloud, and fear gripped her heart. She felt unworthy of God’s love and forgotten. After participating in JOMA, Sarah learned an important truth: God sees and loves her. Armed with truth instead of lies, Sarah’s health—both spiritual and physical—has improved. Her days are spent working around the new home the Lord provided for her family. She can smile at the days ahead because God is with her and meeting her everyday needs.