Thriving Through Trials

Inspiring Resilience and Building Hope

Love Until It Hurts

I just finished reading Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, and though my eyes are tired, my heart is full. This book opened my eyes to a woman who gave everything for love, quietly, humbly, and with great faith.

Mother Teresa came from an ordinary family, inspired by a mother whose faith ran deep. She became a nun and served in India. But her true mission began when she felt a deeper calling, to step beyond comfort and live among the poorest of the poor.

She founded the Missionaries of Charity not with wealth or influence, but with courage and love. I saw myself in her early struggles. As a refugee, I too felt called to serve others like me, even when I had no clear path.

The greatest challenge she faced was spiritual. For years, she felt the silence of God. No peace. No voice. Only emptiness. Yet this darkness gave her eyes to see the pain of those who felt forgotten. She once said, “The greatest disease is to be unwanted, unloved, and uncared for.” That truth echoes in the lives of many refugees I know.

Her mission didn’t just survive suffering; it transformed through it. Love became inventive. She found ways to serve where others saw only impossibility.

She also modelled radical humility. When praised, she deflected the attention: “I am only His instrument.” A reminder to all leaders that greatness lies not in the spotlight, but in surrender.

On the night she died, even the power failed. The machines stopped. But her light didn’t. It still shines in the streets she walked, in the hearts she touched, and in those of us who dare to follow the call to serve others.

Let us love like she did. Humbly. Boldly. Until it hurts.

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Innocent Magambi

I was born a refugee in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Burundian parents, my first 27 years were spent navigating the challenges of five different refugee camps, forging an indomitable spirit and deep empathy. The pivotal moment came when the opportunity for a university education presented itself, leading me to found There is Hope. For 15 years, I led this non-profit organisation with a visionary approach to impact thousands of people through education, vocational training and job creation. As a refugee rights advocate and CEO of Inua Advocacy, a human rights organisation fighting for the dignity of refugees in Malawi, my commitment is both professional and deeply personal. My book, Refugee For Life, not only recounts my personal journey as a refugee, but also highlights the transformative power of individual action for entire communities. From surviving as a refugee to shaping the destinies of others, I stand as a beacon of empathy and adaptability. I have been privileged to be interviewed by respected outlets such as Voice of America, BBC World Service and The Guardian. Beyond the media, I share my insights in a variety of forums, including churches, charities, schools and prestigious institutions such as Oxford University. As an Obama Fellow and participant in respected fellowships, my life’s journey reflects the profound impact one person, driven by a compassionate vision, can have on the lives of many.

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