Beth's Story

Background

I was born on the 1st day of July, 1961, and was greatly celebrated because I came after many boys. My parents, Richard and Florence Baleke, were both medical people serving in government. My mother stopped working to look after her children.

From cradle I went to Christian boarding schools run by Anglican missionaries. While in primary school, I stood before the entire school assembly, repented and confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, I was not discipled, so I simply continued to attend Church religiously without sharing my faith. 

Years later, when attending a Bible study group run by Southern Baptist missionaries, I realized I was not being the kind of witness that God required of me. I was like, “You mean these people come all the way from America to do what I should be doing?" On that Tuesday afternoon, I interrupted the teacher because I felt so convicted. Mama Mary stopped the Bible study and they prayed for me. That was a key turning point in my life because it was from that point that I started sharing the Gospel with any moving object! 

cultural note: "Mama" or "Mother" is a title given to women who act as mother figures. 

Right away I started volunteering with Scripture Union Uganda (an organization that facilitates Bible clubs in local High Schools). From there I wished to be equipped to communicate better, so I went for a Master of Art in Communication at Daystar University in Kenya. I was unable to finish my degree there because Uganda had political problems with Kenya and the Ugandan students were asked to return home. After this, I started seeing God's promises coming true in my own life. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” -  Romans 8:28

The Lord opened a door for me and I received a Billy Graham Scholarship to go complete my Master in Arts Communications at Wheaton College in Illinois. It was my first time to board a plane! In transit we stopped in a French speaking country, where I felt lost because they were speaking French, and other than “bonjour” I could not recall my high school French! When it was time to board, I was told, "Sorry you are not booked on this flight to Chicago." So I went and sat in the corner and started PRAYING! I said, "LORD, I thank You for my seat on that flight." When they called people to board, I went again and lined up. The man behind the computer spoke more French, answered a phone call, and the next thing I knew he was saying that someone had cancelled and I could sit in First Class, “Here is your ticket.” I roared in praise as I boarded the plane and traveled like a Child of the King from Europe to the US! I have so many testimonies of how the Lord was with me during my two years at Wheaton—stories of His provision and confirmation of His presence. 

A Heart to Share Jesus and do Children’s Ministry

During that time I was praying earnestly to the Lord to show me how He wanted me to serve when I got back home. The Wheaton staff in charge of international students told me that if I wished to stay in the USA she could help me do that. Thankfully, I declined because I was so burdened and focused on sharing the Gospel with the eager and ready masses back at home—starting with my own family. 

On my return home, I remember my first target was my grandmother. Not only did my grandmother come to the Lord but a Baptist church sprang up as a result and is still very active to this day. All my family, one by one, made decisions in one way or other to follow Jesus—praise the Lord!

After studies at Wheaton College I returned to serve with an international ministry called Global Outreach. I started feeling restless where I was serving, so I started praying. An older missionary couple prayed with me. The Lord started laying on my heart the burden to reach out to children and to disciple them. I looked into other ministries but this older couple kept telling me they felt I needed to try Scripture Union. I was not very keen on that as I was already familiar with SU, and at that time, they were only working in High Schools. However, out of respect for this couple I decided to go to SU to ask if I could start a children’s ministry under them. 

An Open Door

Before going to SU, I prayed, "LORD I know Scripture Union. They have Committees and they will say, ‘Oh, you want to start a children ministry in Uganda under Scripture Union? The National Committee will first discuss, then we will come back to you.’ Lord, if they say that, then that's it—I will not serve under Scripture Union. But if they give me the position of starting the Children's ministry and right away write an appointment letter, then that will be YOU telling me and I will serve.” 

So, one early morning I boarded a bus straight to the offices of Scripture Union. I spoke to the head of Scripture Union and then to the Board Chair, Professor Yusto Kaahwa. Professor Kaahwa welcomed us and I shared what the Lord had put on my heart. He said, "You see, Scripture Union has committees who should first sit and discuss this, BUT this is of the Lord and we will not wait for the committee." I nearly fell off my seat! 

So my full-time position with SU began in March 1993. Both the harvest and the laborers were ready so the Lord blessed tremendously. This ministry grew rapidly all over the nation. From then until now, I’ve served in various capacities with SU and I have witnessed the Lord save many people in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, as well as Uganda.

How Peter’s Heart Came into the Picture

I was introduced to Dr. James Anderson by a mutual friend. I never dreamed that the Lord was birthing such an exciting ministry in our midst. Scripture Union Uganda is now a partner with PH and I serve on PH’s board of directors. 

Final Thoughts

I have had the privilege of pioneering Scripture Union’s Children's Ministry in Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. With that said, PH touches me deeply because I know the deep need for ministering to children.

Also, the fact that the Lord blessed me to adopt an abandoned baby, who is now a beautiful, grown-up University student, makes me very excited about PH. I have seen first-hand how a life can be changed. Very soon we will see these vulnerable little ones, who are so close to the LORD's heart, maturing and serving the Lord and transforming families and nations of Africa!