| | Here in Peru they have a really neat tradition called a "Quinceañera". When young ladies turn 15, they have a large celebration to mark this important time of becoming a woman. Aleny has become a treasured friend of ours in the neighborhood-- always coming to our Kid's Club years ago, being involved with the youth group at church, and with her mom, recently completing with me a 13-week discipleship course. Here is Aleny with her mom on her big night:
And then the cake:
Aleny is fast growing up, entering her last year of high school, and really wants to go to university. However, the cards are stacked against her. The biggest impediment is Alex, her father. He is a drunk, and a violent man. (Years ago he threatened to kill me while throwing large rocks at our door because his two kids came to our Kid's Club). He has become increasingly angry at Rosa's and Aleny's decisions to follow Christ. Rosa has repeatedly received restraining orders against him (he lives on the other side of town, as he and Rosa were never officially married, though haven't been together for many years). However, he always slips through the system, and even though he has hit Rosa a number of times, and threatened her, nothing every happens.
Then incredibly, two weeks ago, he entered the church service where Rosa was, and began beating her! She ran from the back of the church to the front to escape-- and ended up running around the communion table right as they were starting communion, but he chased her, knocked her down, then began kicking her on the ground. Right in the middle of the church service! (Rosa has started going to the Quechua early service on Sunday mornings, where the vast majority are old ladies that could not come to her defense). After hitting and kicking, he grabbed her purse with her money and cell phone, and took off. Rosa said that she suspects drugs were involved, as she has never seen his eyes like that. She has seen him drunk and violent innumerable times, but never has he stooped to such an evil level.
Incredibly, because her wounds were not significant enough to be obvious for 10 days, they could not throw him in jail. Inconceivable. He has not shown his face since. He works at a school (when he shows up), as a teacher's assistant, so Rosa is able to receive a part of his salary (and health insurance) to be able to take care of the kids. (The other child is named Alesandri-- one incredible, precious young man, with the biggest smile in the whole neighborhood. He is 12 years old, with severe cerebral palsy. He has never talked or walked, but he can still communicate, and lights up the room when he enters!). However, Alex recently took Rosa off his medical insurance, so she is without coverage! Recently, he also threatened to kill his son, because he "was costing him too much". He has repeatedly threatened to kill Rosa-- so many times I am sure she has lost count.
To be honest, at this point, I have a hard time knowing how to pray for this man. My first reaction is to load up with the imprecatory psalms, and fire away-- "For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob" (Ps 59:12-13); "Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them" (Ps 69:24); "May (his) sins always remain before the Lord, that he may cut off the memory of (him) from the earth. For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted. He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come on him..." (Ps. 109:15-17); "If only you would slay the wicked, O God!...Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies" (Ps. 139:19-22).
Then, for good measure, throw in a little ammunition from the prophets: "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes..." (Nah. 1:2); "I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me" (Mic. 5:15).
Yet, I must step back, realize that "by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10), and know that Alex is "without hope and without God in this world" (Eph. 2:12). He, like I, desperately needs a Savior. Yet how long must Aleny cry in fear of her father? How long must Rosa endure beatings and abuse? Lord, touch that man!
And surely there is a reason that the words below (that we quote so often--mostly out of context) follow what we have already seen ("I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies" (Ps. 139:22)):
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"
(Ps. 139:23-24).
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| | Posted 2/16/2009 9:49 AM - 85 Views - 0 eProps - 1 Comment
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