Meet Z.
She’s a sassy 2 year old with a whole lot of personality. She has been the one stuck to my hip every time I come visit her village. She usually is one of the last to show up out of all the kids and stumbles up alone but today a man brought her. He was visibly drunk slurring “wow, thanks for being here” so I smiled at him and picked up my little nugget. She was always protective over me, not letting any of the other kids sit on my lap or even hold my hand. Today she was a little more sassy than usual, she was in a mood. She wasn’t playing nice with the kids and she cried every time someone took her ball away from her. I was just thinking she was having a bad day, so I continued to hold her and snuggle her even when she was being a brat.
On the drive home I found out that the man who brought her was her dad. Right before we left to go to Kids ministry his wife was beating him, she finally had enough of him beating her and making her sleep outside. Most of the women who were at the bible study were there so that after we left they could jump him. Woman power, right? But the men here take money earned by their wives and spend it on alcohol. They need an escape from the life they live, they need an excuse to numb whatever shame and fear they are walking in. My heart hurts for that family. I really hope I could be a representation to that little girl of who Jesus is and how he loves. That he is gentle and genuine.
I just started praying for them when I got home, I knew it was the only thing I could do. Lord they need you!! They need your protection and guidance and love. Bring all of them to know YOU Lord. Protect the mom and children, help the dad sober up and turn to you Father. Show him what a real father is like. I pray for Z, that she gets out of that village and strives after your purpose for her.
As much as it hurts me to leave her knowing what might happen later, I know that my God is her protector and he will never leave her.
