New Beginnings Through New Family

I recently heard the story of a new Christian here in the Sahel. For full disclosure, I heard it from a friend involved in a different ministry here. But the story is of a women who became a Christian because discipleship that she received through a program helping mothers who don't have enough food or milk to give their children. Her husband, her mother and friends were all non Christians and started putting immense pressure on her. She has 7 children and some of her children became Christians too.

It is an extremely lengthy story about all the hardships that this woman went through as a new Christian. Not only beatings and cursings, but also legal proceedings. In addition, the local woman who discipled her was threatened by people as she did her daily shopping in the market, was cursed multiple times and had to go to court. The Christians at the local church were so supportive of this new Christian and walked her through this difficult time. Through the whole process the new Christian was assured that the legal system would keep her minor children (under 17 yrs of age) with her. And also that her husband who had beaten her even after he had given her divorce papers would be charged for doing that in the wrong order. Before the court proceedings the new Christian had to be removed to an undisclosed location for her own protection.

But the courts didn't hold up as thought. The husband came to court with many powerful religious leaders and even a mob formed. The court ruled for the children to be the peace pipe. Five children were given in custody to the father. Only the two youngest children are in custody of the mother. But as she was now divorced, the new Christian mother can now live on her own in a safe location.

But the point of my sharing this story isn't to have you feel sorry for the situation. The main reason I wanted to share is because through this story I witnessed the Christians becoming true family to the new Christian as she took this new path and lost her family. They had to support her through many attacks. If they had not been there with support she probably would have faltered and been forced back into her old life.

-- La Maestra