Esther has healed my wounds â€" Pastor Senfuma
Sep 28, 2007
STEVEN Senfuma, is a Senior Pastor at United Christian Centre Kasubi and a presenter of Omuntu w’omunda (the inner man) on Impact Radio. He married Esther on April 1, eight months after his late wife died in an accident, August 27, 2006.
STEVEN Senfuma, is a Senior Pastor at United Christian Centre Kasubi and a presenter of Omuntu w’omunda (the inner man) on Impact Radio. He married Esther on April 1, eight months after his late wife died in an accident, August 27, 2006. Maureen Nakatudde had a chat with them
Steven
Sorry about the loss of your wife.
It was so bad. An accident tortures. It even deepened when many women started disturbing me. But Esther has healed my wounds.
People think you remarried too soon
That is not true. According to the Bible, when someone is buried, all ties are broken. The Bible permits mourning for 30 days. And from the 31st day, you are free to re-marry.
Didn’t women try to seduce you?
Oh, many! For instance, after my wife’s burial, my neighbour shifted into the house without my permission. She would enter my bedroom saying I was so tired and needed a massage. She cooked food which I refused to eat. The LC chairman asked her to leave, but she refused. Later, about a month later, she brought me a budget saying it was for our wedding. I decided to think about marriage.
How did you get rid of her?
One time, she found me alone in the sitting room and embraced me. I feared she was planning to allege that I was trying to rape her if I pushed her off. I had to act fast. I later called her to the pulpit at church and blasted her in front of the congregation and she stopped. The news of my engagement to Esther also helped. But there were others! Many women sent their pictures requesting me to marry them.
How did you zero in on Esther?
I had known her for sometime. I called her on phone and told her
I was going through a difficult period. I asked her to pray for me. Later, I asked her what type of woman would be ideal for me, she said I needed a person who was God-fearing, mature and peaceful. Another time I requested her to lend me some money and she did.
Why didn’t you just say: God has sent me to marry you?
Many women were telling me the same. But if God has not revealed it to both of you, it cannot work.
What was your children’s reaction?
I sat them down and we discussed. They feared a step mother would mistreat them. But when I told them the problems I was facing, they relented.
What does Esther love most?
Me and my presence. Even if you denied her food, my presence would be enough.
What do you love most about her?
She can listen - that is the most important thing. She also has a contrite spirit when she has done wrong. And she loves me very much.
Esther
Couldn’t you see Pastor was falling for you when he asked you to pray for him?
No! He even requested me to pick a woman for him. I picked three but he refused them
But did you not fancy him?
I thought he wanted a mature lady in her 30s. I was 23, he was 40.
So when he proposed to you, how did you feel?
I spent three days without eating! I used to pray and cry.
Why?
It was kind of a shock and surprise. I was anxious. I had never dreamt of getting married. I was not ready physically and emotionally. People were also saying that I had seduced him and even alleged that we were lovers before the death of his wife, which was false.
What age had you planned for marriage?
Between 26 and 30 - after completing my Masters degree.
Any threats from other women?
None direct. Except one who said I had stolen her husband.
Do you sleep in the same bed his late wife used to sleep in?
No. We changed the house and the bed. We got out of the environment which they were used to. I used to fear the house.
Don’t the children bother you?
No they are okay. I help them where necessary. If you were their friend, they would tell you how they feel.
How many children would you love to have?
Three or four children will do.
Steven
Sorry about the loss of your wife.
It was so bad. An accident tortures. It even deepened when many women started disturbing me. But Esther has healed my wounds.
People think you remarried too soon
That is not true. According to the Bible, when someone is buried, all ties are broken. The Bible permits mourning for 30 days. And from the 31st day, you are free to re-marry.
Didn’t women try to seduce you?
Oh, many! For instance, after my wife’s burial, my neighbour shifted into the house without my permission. She would enter my bedroom saying I was so tired and needed a massage. She cooked food which I refused to eat. The LC chairman asked her to leave, but she refused. Later, about a month later, she brought me a budget saying it was for our wedding. I decided to think about marriage.
How did you get rid of her?
One time, she found me alone in the sitting room and embraced me. I feared she was planning to allege that I was trying to rape her if I pushed her off. I had to act fast. I later called her to the pulpit at church and blasted her in front of the congregation and she stopped. The news of my engagement to Esther also helped. But there were others! Many women sent their pictures requesting me to marry them.
How did you zero in on Esther?
I had known her for sometime. I called her on phone and told her
I was going through a difficult period. I asked her to pray for me. Later, I asked her what type of woman would be ideal for me, she said I needed a person who was God-fearing, mature and peaceful. Another time I requested her to lend me some money and she did.
Why didn’t you just say: God has sent me to marry you?
Many women were telling me the same. But if God has not revealed it to both of you, it cannot work.
What was your children’s reaction?
I sat them down and we discussed. They feared a step mother would mistreat them. But when I told them the problems I was facing, they relented.
What does Esther love most?
Me and my presence. Even if you denied her food, my presence would be enough.
What do you love most about her?
She can listen - that is the most important thing. She also has a contrite spirit when she has done wrong. And she loves me very much.
Esther
Couldn’t you see Pastor was falling for you when he asked you to pray for him?
No! He even requested me to pick a woman for him. I picked three but he refused them
But did you not fancy him?
I thought he wanted a mature lady in her 30s. I was 23, he was 40.
So when he proposed to you, how did you feel?
I spent three days without eating! I used to pray and cry.
Why?
It was kind of a shock and surprise. I was anxious. I had never dreamt of getting married. I was not ready physically and emotionally. People were also saying that I had seduced him and even alleged that we were lovers before the death of his wife, which was false.
What age had you planned for marriage?
Between 26 and 30 - after completing my Masters degree.
Any threats from other women?
None direct. Except one who said I had stolen her husband.
Do you sleep in the same bed his late wife used to sleep in?
No. We changed the house and the bed. We got out of the environment which they were used to. I used to fear the house.
Don’t the children bother you?
No they are okay. I help them where necessary. If you were their friend, they would tell you how they feel.
How many children would you love to have?
Three or four children will do.