girl theft

Since dad is anyhow mostly gone and mom is often struggling to keep up with all the little ones, it was not hard for her to drift towards friends. A few secret kindnesses and positive comments and he had her clinging to him for hope of a new life. It didn't help that mom married dad when she was thirteen. It's not hard to dream big when the best you've ever known is cracked walls with bugs coming out, contant battles with lice and hunger, and family fights when alcohol sets in. So he whistled, and she came. He had dreams too. Motorbikes aren't that expensive, and perhaps a cell phone. She'd probably sell for at least that much, being poor and chubby and all. He didn't want to set his sights too high right off the bat. But if he got good at it, the next time he could shoot for a car! After all, he was only fifteen and had lots to learn.

Was it his amateur attempts that scared her or the fact that mom had recently given her heart to the Lord? When he got her to the park three districts away, she got cold feet and wanted to go home. Of course that was out of the question, he had set his sights on his goal. Used to seeing dad punch mom, she didn't feel devalued when he used force to control her.

Meanwhile mom freaked out and tore around trying to find her eldest. In a culture of honor, if she was defiled, her husband would kill the girl or begin a feud, depending on his mood swing. Either way her daughter's future was ruined. Sobbing, she finally flung herself down and remembered to pray. Within half an hour, her daughter staggered in the door, bruised and beaten, but miraculously home and intact. No human reason was presented for her protection and deliverance.

A week later the bruises are loosing color. The child is sobered. The young man has gone into hiding. Health reports say she is ok, nothing "happened". But mom has done her math. When all hope had given out, she prayed, and the Good Shepherd found the Lost Sheep, even the lost sheep of her poor and forgotten family. Yesterday, when we prayed together, she realized that she, too, is loved. She is chosen and special and so is her daughter. When we were praying, Jesus revealed Himself to her as both Shepherd and King; with a staff and a crown. He healed her heart, and touched her daughter. He Cleansed them and showed them a New Path.

Amazing how God can take lies and theft and turn them around to Bless and reveal Truth.