A man who now calls Winnipeg home is sharing his testimony of resilience; from growing up an orphan in the Congo, to becoming a refugee, to starting a ministry for orphans in Uganda.
"My life wasn't easy because my parents had already passed away," says Mwambusa Francis. "I was taken care of by my grandma who was also aged. Thank God, He had a purpose for my life."
Before Francis came to know Jesus Christ personally, he struggled with alcoholism when he was a teenager.
"In our territory, there was an ethical conflict which caused many to lose their lives. This caused us to be displaced in a camp, where people suffered and died because of malnutrition. This is where my grandmother died. I was 15 years old and she was my only hope. I was like, 'What is next in my life?'"
It was at that time that Francis participated in a crusade and found out about Jesus and made the decision to become a Christian.
"I had to give my life to Jesus Christ. That was 1997. By 1998, God granted me a chance to complete my school."
Through a series of events, Francis found out about a ministry school and completed his diploma.
"God started speaking to my heart, revealing Himself in a different way. I asked God, 'How can you help me be a destiny-changer? An agent of change in my community?' That was my prayer."
In 2006 Francis fled to Uganda and started a new life as a refugee. He also started a ministry called Mototo Wa Africa Ministries.
"I went to a refugee camp and started the ministry in 2019. We have education for children, we have livelihood which includes farming, English for adults, and we have a pillar of evangelism and discipleship. We also have soccer clubs and arts and crafts for kids."
For the past nine months, Francis has called Winnipeg, Manitoba, his home while the ministry continues on in Uganda.
Anyone interested in connecting with Francis regarding Mototo Wa Africa Ministries can email mwanaumefm2@gmail.com or call him at 204-558-3044.