“Only God can be my lawyer because I can’t afford one.” – Elizabeth Pumpuni

Meet Elizabeth, a 31-year-old mother of four, whose life has been marred by injustice and hardship. Living in Lonto, a small village in the Northern Region, Elizabeth’s dreams of a better life have been consistently thwarted.

After completing senior high school, Elizabeth’s determination to provide for her family led her to work at a daycare center without pay. Her selflessness caught the attention of the teachers, who contributed to her well-being monthly.

A glimmer of hope emerged when Elizabeth landed a job at a credit union company in Salaga. However, her four-year probation period was marked by meagre pay and no employment benefits. Despite her hard work, she was denied a loan to support her family.

Elizabeth’s situation worsened when she was transferred to a new station, pregnant and struggling with health issues. The manager, favoring her own tribe and family, audited Elizabeth for three months, finding no issues. Yet, Elizabeth was refused permanent employment.

Elizabeth’s decision to leave her job due to unworkable conditions led to accusations of theft. She was falsely accused of stealing 35,000 cedis from the credit union in Salaga, where she had worked. Despite her protests of innocence, she was arrested and detained for three agonizing days while heavily pregnant, forced to navigate the complex legal system alone.

“The police were relentless,” Elizabeth’s husband, Kwabena, recounted. “They would come to our house, harass us, and demand money.”

"Anytime the police came around, my kids would ask, ‘Mummy, who are the police coming for, and why do they keep showing up at our house?’" Elizabeth said bitterly. "I always told them they were just coming to search the area."

Desperate to prove his wife's innocence, Zack sold their belongings to raise 700 cedis, an amount demanded by the police. However, this gesture was twisted against her, with the court recording it as a partial payment of the alleged debt.

Kwabena, also known as Zack, is a talented footballer who lost his chance to play professionally due to financial strain. “I stayed with a friend in Accra with hopes of attending training with Legon Cities. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the 4 cedis for transport from 37 Military Hospital to Legon. I missed the golden opportunity to play with my team members in Germany,” Zack said, bowing his head in tears.

The couple’s situation pushed them to the edge of despair, with Kwabena attempting suicide multiple times. “We’ve lost everything,” Elizabeth said, tears streaming down her face. “Our future seems bleak.”

A Ray of Hope: The Awaken to the North Mission Team

In a remarkable turn of events, Zack found solace in faith after encountering the Awaken to the North mission team during their annual evangelism activity in the Jamboai District, specifically at Lonto Presby. The team discovered Zack during a house-to-house crusade, an event included in the mission team's schedule to win souls for Christ. This chance meeting transformed Zack’s life, providing him with a renewed sense of purpose.

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Awaken to the North Mission: Transforming Lives in the Northern Region

The mission team’s message resonated deeply with Zack, helping him reconnect with his faith. Through their guidance, he began attending church services again, bringing five friends with him.

“The Awaken to the North mission team saved me from darkness,” Zack testified. “They showed me God’s love and helped me find my way again.”

The mission team provided Kwabena with clothing and support, rekindling hope in their lives. Elizabeth noticed a significant change in her husband, remarking, “God works marvelously and beautifully. My husband has changed; his bad attitudes are gone.”

Elizabeth’s case remains pending, leaving her family in uncertainty. “I fear they will come for me again,” she says, tears streaming down her face. “But I know I’m innocent, and I won’t give up.”

“I will keep fighting,” Elizabeth said. “For myself, my family, and for justice.”