I know updates are needed from Uganda since I have already been here for a week but my heart needs to back track to Kenya one last time. Something happened on the last day that is worth sharing. We were given the last day off to pack and prepare for the journey to another country. I expected the day to look just like that. Once again, I was very wrong.
To make this day make sense I need to back track to three weeks prior. Our contacts were phoned by the police informing them, that they had found a new born in the bushes and they were needing to know if they could take the baby. No other place could take this baby is what the policeman had said. The mother had been found shortly after the baby and was being held in prison while she was on trial. The police decided to keep the baby with the mother, in jail so that she could breastfeed the baby for the first few weeks. With much prayer, our contacts called the police back a few days later and agreed to take the baby. As much as their hearts instantly wanted to say YES to the baby they had to run to the Lord for the answer. There had already been a shortage of food in the orphange, so they knew if they where to take another baby in it would have to be God who provides all. If its God will, then it’s God bill, right?
Several of us waited throughout the three weeks to meet this baby that the Lord rescued and his mother. Our last day in Kenya was the last day to make that happen. We went to the prision but the mother, Susan, and the baby, Ivan, were not there. This was no surprise to God. They were at the court house for her trial. We continued into the prision asking God what HE had instore for us there. We walked into the womens prision where 55 women were being held in about 5 cells. As we walked in they welcomed us with many smiles and a beautiful song.
Out of the 55 women in the prision there were 11 children. Kids are allowed to stay in prison with their mother up to the age of 4 years. My heart broke as I saw these children confined to their mothers cells. My heart broke knowing this is the only life they had known.
In Africa, 1 Peter 3:15 has become a reality to my life. ‘ Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have’. As the women finished their song, our contact turned to us and asked us all to share a word. I believe the exact prayer I prayed after I was asked to speak was, “Lord you better show up… I know you will Lord. You are Faithful. I know you will”.
As I stood before these women the Lord wishpered into my ear, where my spirit is there is freedom. We serve a God who is passionate about setting His people free. He came to set us free. Our freedom is not based on four walls, not at all. When we ask the Lord into our hearts, his spirit comes in and invades, our hearts. And where his spirit is there is freedom. His spirit set our hearts free. Our freedom in the Lord is something that nobody can rob from us.
My heart broke as I heard one women’s story. She is in prision for murder. She had a siezure and fell on her baby who was 10 months old. Her baby died and she was convicted of murder. She was pregnant at the time of the fall and was forced to give birth to her baby in prision. Her baby is now 5 months and they are both still in prision. She has 3 1/2 years left with her child until they find another home for her baby. I pray freedom over this womens heart. Freedom from prision and also freedom from shame and guilt. Lord, release her from it all. I pray her heart opens up to yours. That she allows your love to consume her. Fill her with your love Father. Let your love wash everything away. Your love covers all.
Hours later we finally meet Susan and Ivan. Our hearts were so thankfull to finally put a face to this beautiful baby and to his mother. Susan was only 16 and I could sense a lot of fear and pain in her heart. We were able to talk and pray over them both along with hold her handsome little man. He is beautiful. Thank you Lord for rescuing Ivan. I pray now that you rescue Susans heart from shame and guilt. I pray she feels the depths of your love.
Pray for susan and Ivans heart. Also pray for Owen. He hadnt been seen on the streets for the last couple days we were in Kenya. Lord, I pray divine protection over this little boy. Cast out all his fears with your love.
Susan holding her little man
Ivan ( 3 weeks )
