Another long day of listening to the women's stories. Soon they begin to blend together as I tied to follow each one. We do take copious notes and photos to help us remember each one. So much pain and sorrow, so many tears. Small things often cause as much pain as big things. My hurt may not be the same as yours, but it feels the same. I prayed for help to rain down from heaven (literally) that might ease their burdens.
God has given women a universal desire that seems to transcend countries, cultures, and peoples. And that is the need to provide for their children. First and foremost, they would do almost anything so their children can eat, and secondly, get an education to improve their circumstances. Having food and shelter were "the A list", or in most cases the only list. Fathers often abandon or abuse the children, especially girls. Girls aren't worth much. One man left his wife because she couldn't produce a son. Part of this is lack of education or cultural norms, but mostly it seems like selfishness to me. I'm not blaming guys only, for many stories involved mothers who remarried and cast out their family. Ten-year-olds with a number of siblings to care for wasn't uncommon. How does a ten-year-old take care of a family?
Some were old enough to have experienced the genocide when they were very young. One little girl was evidently a rather precocious four-year-old and her parents left her in the jungle for fear she would reveal where the rest of the family was hidden. The fear of being alone, lost, hungry, having no one to take care of her left lasting scars.
One strikingly beautiful young woman (as in model type) had been denied a life because of gossip saying her mother had been unfaithful and she was not her father's child. She had never told her story to anyone before. I felt honored that she trusted me. Told her entire life she was no good, unwanted, she wept gallons of tears. Some talked of witchcraft and how the neighbors had poisoned her mother or killed her baby. I'm told this isn't that uncommon. I have no words for my feelings about that.
After a very heavy day, we went to an Indian restaurant, The Kurry Kingdom, for dinner. Once again John, our wonderful driver, navigated turns and curves and ups and downs and somehow, we arrived at our destination. The street system has no rhyme or reason that I can understand. How they find anything is beyond me! The food was interesting, but fun, and Leslie got to visit with a university student she sponsors. But the conversation was filled with a heavy weight that we will carry home.
On the upside, over fifty of these young ladies are going to be baptized on Friday before we leave. They were excited to make this outward commitment to their faith. It will be wonderful to witness them dedicate their lives to God.
A few more to visit with tomorrow, then we are off to visit sponsored children and stop and the Reconciliation Village.
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