Marike Cooke

I am Marike Cooke, a physiotherapist from South Africa. For four years I worked in the United Kingdom with spinal injury patients. I really loved my job, but I always knew there was something more.

About two years ago in August the Lord gave me a dream with three important highlights—leaving the UK; going to work with children; and being involved in an adventure. Afterward, when I prayed about this dream and what might be ahead, the Lord gave me a scripture confirming that I needed to resign from my great paying, good benefit, physio job—“Forsake the foolish and live; and go in the way of understanding” (Prov. 9:6). So, in obedience I quit my job.

Then for a whole month I didn’t know what the next step was, but as I waited on the Lord I came to realize that I was in a season to seek Him for more revelation. Funny, how during this particular period, my brother-in-law, Peter, challenged me to go and volunteer at the Uganda Jesus Village (UJV) in Kampala, Uganda for three months! Although I had never heard of the UJV or the purpose of their mission, nor had I ever been in Uganda, I felt I had to make a decision between going back to South Africa to start my own business, or volunteering for three months at the UJV, before going back home.

Pondering what to do, the Lord revealed my next step by giving me another scripture—“Behold, You shall call a nation that You do not know . . .” (Is. 55:5). Well, that was enough for me! I packed my bags on January 28, 2007 and then made by way to the UJV to help with the work of the ministry for three months. Today I am still serving at the UJV, and I plan on remaining until the Lord moves me on!

Since the UJV is so full of adventure and challenges, one big benefit is that I’ve really begun to know God as my Father and my Daddy, the One who is with me at all times. Also another great thing is the privilege to serve with Luke and Suzanne Jones—humble, hardworking leaders—who love the widows and orphans with all of their being! Below is a message from Suzanne.

When Marike arrived in Uganda she was always asking me how she could help, and so one day I asked her if she new how to download programs onto the computer. Although she said that she didn’t know how, I explained to her that I really needed QuickBooks installed and started. Right away Marike said, “Okay, I’ll try. “

Well, that was the beginning of countless hours in front of the computer entering all of the UJV expenditures. Then she tackled teaching our computer illiterate bookkeeper for hours and hours and for months and months, and now our Ugandan bookkeeper is doing very well at using the system! Marike also set up cashier systems and volunteer programming as well as always offering to run errands in Kampala’s very hectic traffic jams. And that’s not all! Presently Marike is working on setting up a clinic on the newly purchased UJV land. I thank God for sending Marike; she is an answer to our prayers!

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