Loving on the Edge: A Fragrant Offering

The following is a blog from one of our trip participants, Melissa Edge. You can learn more about her personal journey from her blog: Loving on the Edge. Here is her insights from her recent trip to Uganda.

A Fragrant Offering

The night before I left for Uganda, I made a last-minute trip to Trader Joe’s. I picked up a couple of my favorite lavender soaps and salt scrubs.

It cost me $15.
The return on my investment…priceless.

It was Sunday afternoon when we opened our supply bag in the Ugandan village of Kaihura, about a 4 hour, bumpy ride to the west of capital city Kampala. I was instantly greeted by that sweet, familiar scent of lavender.

I walked into a small school room, dimly lit by only it’s windows. What is the size of a traditional classroom in the States holds up to 80 students here. This Sunday afternoon, it was filled with 40 of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.

They were all widows, specially invited to gather together. Some were old, some younger than me. We spoke different languages. I spoke through a translator. We didn’t really need to speak anything at all. Our faces told our stories, every line, every wrinkle, every smile, every scar.

Every tear.

I had prepared a few notes, written down a few verses of Scripture to share with them. But, God scripted my words. I began by telling them I was a widow too. Suddenly, the miles, the culture, anything that made us different, melted away. We connected in that moment.

It was bittersweet, yet beautiful.

I shared my story of losing my husband; I shared how our great God had walked with me in every season, a time for mourning, a time for healing, and a time for moving forward. I encouraged them that no matter what season we are in, our God is the Defender of Widows. He is FOR us.

Then I asked if anyone wanted to share their stories.

One by one, these precious women raised their hands. They stood to their feet, and they told me the most heart-breaking details of how they lost their husbands, how some had lost children, how they felt abandoned and forgotten by their very community. After the first few, I honestly didn’t know if I could hear anymore. God prompted me to look each one in the eyes and just listen.

It was as if for the very first time, someone allowed them to share, someone gave them honor and a place to be heard. Someone gave them a voice.

I was taken back to 3 years of a prayer that would keep me up some nights: “God, I wanna be a voice for the widows.”

Surreal.

I ended our time in prayer and in sharing my life verse, Ephesians 5:1-2, where we are called to be dearly loved children of God. I recited in their language, “You are dearly loved.”

Then, we had jugs of water and basins brought in. Two incredible ladies from our team joined me; we kneeled down, lavender soap and salts in hand, and 3 by 3, we washed each widow’s feet.

The aroma will forever remind me of this unforgettable moment.

As we finished, one of the widows stood up to thank us. She told us that she had always heard of the story in the Bible of Jesus washing His disciples feet, but she never thought anyone would do this for her. She said that we had made these verses in the Bible come alive.

Come alive.

I could not have asked or imagined that response; it was Jesus, only Jesus. I’m so humbled to have been a part, to have the Lord take a simple act of love and transform it into such a fragrant offering. To Him belongs all the glory.

I extend my sincerest thank you to our trip leader, Sherry Kovak, and 410 Bridge staff member, Amy Todd, who orchestrated the details to make this experience possible. I will be forever grateful.

More stories to come…

Dearly loved,
Melissa

Share This

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

More Stories

410 Day: A New Frontier for Impact in the Dominican Republic

Every year on April 10th, we celebrate 410 Day—a day where we come together to support communities in need and fuel sustainable, Christ-centered transformation. This year, 410 Day is more important than ever because we’re stepping into a brand-new country: the Dominican Republic.

The challenges in these communities are urgent, and we need your help to bring real change.

Read More »

Sponsor a Child in the Dominican Republic for the First Time with 410 Bridge!

We have an exciting announcement — for the very first time, you can now sponsor a child in the Dominican Republic through 410 Bridge!

Child sponsorship has always been at the heart of what we do. It’s not just about giving — it’s about walking alongside a child as they discover their potential and begin to see themselves as part of the solution to poverty. It’s about encouragement, relationship, and hope. And now, this life-changing opportunity is expanding into the Dominican Republic.

Read More »

Mission: Hope Joins The 410 Bridge Family!

We have some incredible news to share—The 410 Bridge is thrilled to welcome Mission: Hope into our family! For years, both of our organizations have been dedicated to sustainable, Christ-centered community development in some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. And now, by coming together, we’re expanding our impact in powerful ways.
This partnership is more than just an expansion—it’s an opportunity to reach more people with the hope of the gospel and strengthen the way we serve communities.

Read More »

Subscribe

Get more articles and updates like this directly in your email inbox!