BMS World Mission lawyers Steve and Caroline Sanderson have been in Uganda since August 2005 where they have worked tirelessly to empower the country's people to make their voices heard.
Caroline has been working with Ugandan lawyer Annet Ttendo of the Ugandan Christian Lawyers' Fraternity (UCLF) by assisting her with the roughly 20 cases that she handles at any one time - sadly just the front of a backlog of around 600 cases still to be reviewed.
The couple, who have been engaged in legal education and advocacy since they came to Uganda, are working to help Ugandans play an increasingly significant role in the legal process of their country by equipping them with a basic knowledge of their rights and giving them the confidence to assert them, reports BMS World Mission.
"One such way of doing this," Steve says, "is by teaching people how to speak for themselves and their communities. We are all stakeholders in a dynamic and meaningful mission intervention which protects the vulnerable and communicates Christ."
Despite their efforts, and those of similarly selfless workers in the country, the scale of the injustices remains horrendous.
"Children are raped, women beaten, land grabbed, innocent people live under terror and exploitation, corruption, conflict, homelessness, HIV and poverty," report the pair.
They hope, however, that what work they can do is making at least some impact but admit that even for them the challenge they face is huge.
"Speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves is a hard task in any part of the world, but in Africa the tide of voiceless souls is overwhelming."
The couple admits, nonetheless, that "we are aware that [God] goes before us and sustains us"; additionally, "we continually find that the level of courage we see in people makes speaking on their behalf a privilege, however exhausting it seems at times."
In June and July, Steve and Caroline hosted the Lawyers Christian Fellowship/BMS Lawyers Team and accompanied them on a sobering visit to neighbouring Rwanda that brought back to their minds the importance of their work.
They said: "There is a need for the Holy Spirit to heal and restore people, over and above any kind of legal process in order to re-establish justice."
BMS World Mission appealed for prayers:
For a renewed focus on people, the gospel, and quality relationships
For the paralegals to be continual advocates for children
For good health, added energy and general safety
