As soon as the crew awakes this morning, we'll have 2 guest bloggers...interns, of course. Their perspectives on yesterday will be different and they have a lot to share. So, stay tuned!
WARNING: If you are 18 or under and reading this, please ask a parent for permission. This is not an easy or appropriate read for younger people.
A group of us spent yesterday afternoon in the dump. It was a rough time. Meeting a murderer (keep in mind my father is in prison for murder) was a piece of cake. We weren't sure about the next house on the list though. Carol and Patty (one of our dear friends and translator for this particular journey) prepared our team at Tabitha House for this (partially). We were told that we were going to a house where the father abuses (in EVERY way) his 5 girls. With a house the size of most of our bathrooms, it is easy to conclude that the mother is aware of the situation.
We had two of the daughters with us (one is 15 and the other 11). The oldest has become pregnant twice by the step-father. They have both been abused extensively. We are taking them so that Carol can ask for the oldest to stay at the Tabitha House. She has had NO education and is beginning to act out her rebellion (can't imagine why...). None of us is prepared for what we see or feel while we are there.
It is obvious from the moment we step in the door that this is going to be a showdown between the Father and the enemy. They step up to battle. We hear the mother and father verbally abuse their children right in front of us. Satan says look what I can do. Carol continues to plead for the oldest child. The parents refuse. Satan is winning this battle. The father berates the children and they bite their fingernails down to the quick.
The team prays and is clearly becoming angry. The Spirit of Almighty God stirs. They sit on the lice infested bed. Kathleen begins to hold one of the younger children who sticks like glue to her side. The two oldest children are rocking bath and forth, biting their nails and crying. I sit beside them. Patty is getting upset too. Carol is pleading again. Satan is laughing.
Carol asked the team if anyone had a word...yes, I have a word. Let's go out back and let us beat the snot out of you. That's a word I would like to share. But, God restrains our tongues. Holly Wade reminds me that the Words says children are a blessing and an inheritance from the Lord. That's not where I was going with this whole "word" thing...but God speaks through her.
God opens my mouth and begs for the children to have freedom to know Him. I don't remember what was said. But, it wasn't me. I wanted to beat the ever-living daylights out of them both. I wanted to personally make sure they hurt like they hurt their girls. But, God spoke. He interceded on behalf of His children. We prayed. Our tongues and fists were restrained. We cried.
Holly W. spoke up and shared her story. She begged for the parents to show their children love. She relayed her own story. She wept and the team wept for her. God allowed her journey for such a time as this.
The Spirit of God was in the house. The parents relented and sent the girls on their way. In fact, they wanted to send all 5 (another topic for another day). We left with two girls in tow knowing that they were free for the moment. No more abuse, no more prostitution, no more stealing....
God won this battle. He alone gets all the praise.
