Captured

June 10 2015

She sat before us beautiful and smiling; full of joy and humility. Her story starts similar to those that have been told before with early sexual abuse by gang rape as the foray into this terrible downward spiral – familiar, yet no less heart wrenching. The twist in her story comes when she described how her now 19 year old daughter, who was first sexually abused at 12 years of age, began to pimp herself out to the local teenage boys between the walls of her own home while her mother worked the brothels at night. Their dark deeds performed under the cover of the night would temporarily fade away and the light of day would bring an element of normalcy as she sold fruit in the market and her daughter attended school. As she attempted to navigate the challenging path out of the depths of such a cavern, she would occasionally work at the Tuesday Morning gatherings at House of Hope. A fellow woman once asked her if she believed in Jesus Christ to which she replied “of course I believe, but He doesn’t listen to me.” God captured her heart nevertheless and she and her daughter comprise the third mother-daughter pair undergoing rehabilitation at House of Hope. They now live a clean life and earn an honest living, free of guilt. They will graduate after completing their 4 year program this January. Jesus wins. Love wins.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:19. The stories these women tell make the power of God’s forgiveness so salient. Jesus sacrificed everything, to the point of death on a cross so that we could be redeemed and promised a seat in His eternal kingdom.

I meant to clarify my prior blog edition with reference to the woman with the jars of oil found in 2 Kings, chapter 4. She approached Elisha, and cried that the creditor was coming to take her two boys as his slaves. Elisha asked her how he could help. She replied she had nothing except a small amount of oil. She was instructed to collect all the jars available from her neighbors into which to pour oil from the jar she had and sell them. This she did and filled all the pots available after which the oil stopped flowing. It was just enough to cover her debt. His provision was just enough. Jesus wins. Love wins. 

The torrent of rain from the day prior gutted our beloved half hazard road. I was certain we would need to walk a portion of the journey to House of Hope this morning, however our amazing bus driver and his impressive skill deftly navigated the treacherous terrain and delivered us to the open gate. The journey back to Hotel Ticomo – our humble digs for the week (complete with a swimming pool and dining quarters) – was equally as uneventful.

Each team continues meet hearts as they pour through the entrance. The rather nonchalant comment from our ultrasound technician was “The morning was good. I did 12 ultrasounds and led 5 women to Christ,” as if this is her every day. Dentistry continues to work hard at cleaning and pulling teeth, General Medicine continues to see and improve treatment on chronic disease, Gynecology continues to see and treat cervical disease. Women continue to come desperate and leave after many hugs and with thankful smiles.

From the time we left the relative comfort of the Best Western through today and probably for the rest of my life, I ponder “where are the men?” I don’t mean the ones to join this medical service team, I mean the men who disrespect these women; the ones who steal, kill and destroy and then hide in the shadows? Where is the Godly leadership? Where are the protectors? Where are the ones who cherish women’s hearts?  I may never have an answer to these questions, and as a single woman myself, I am learning the protection of my Lord and Savior is sufficient to fill that void. 

Emotions are running high as fatigue sets in. Experiences have been profound. We rejoice with the women who have become believers, we continue to stand in the gap for others. We continue to be captured by these people and this place. We continue to be.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all,  hold on to what is good, reject whatever is harmful. May God himself, the God of peace sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24