Hanging Onto Hope!

**name has been changed**

Over the last week this is where I have been...hanging onto hope. 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I head over to Mbonesweni, get out of the car, and begin a ritual that I love...hugging six beautiful women, telling them I love them, get to work chopping onions (they actually leave these for me), and listening to these same six women chatter away in Siswati. You can better believe that when one is missing, I KNOW IT!

Last Tuesday was no different. Got out of the car, hugs, kisses, I love you's, all said and knives grabbed and....wait...where is **Mary**? No one knows. Have any of you heard from her...no. Does anyone have her cell number? She doesn't have a phone right now. The question, "do you think she is okay," is met with, "we don't know." 

Those three words...we don't know...are the hardest words for me to hear and, I think, for them to say. You see, Mary, is in an abusive situation. It's actually not much difference here than in the states...I'll find you if you leave...I'll never do it again...you made me angry...you want to see your child, then you come home to me...I will never let you go, you deserve this...............

We were finally able to get a little bit of information...he beat her and she left and went to town on Monday, we haven't seen her since. Thursday rolled around and still no Mary, and still no word on where she was or if she was safe. Finally, Friday came and I got a call that said, "she has called her mom, she's safe and she's in Johannesburg. SAFE! Away from him! Please Lord continue to keep her safe!

Tuesday, this week. Same routine...get out of the car, WAIT! Not the same routine! She's here! She's back! I lean in to hug her and tell her, "I've missed you and been worried about you." She looks up at me and says, "I'm fine," but the smile that usually lights up her eyes is not there. I know that is probably all I'll get...for now.

We go about our work as if Mary has never missed a day. My first thought was, "she still doesn't trust us," but I knew that was not truth. She was just ashamed and trying to be strong. And then...we had finished tea time and Patchi was asking Mary if she was okay. There, see it? Right there...a break in the armor. Mary began to open up that he burned everything that was in the house...her blankets, mattresses, medication...she was left with nothing. He has also taken her son and will not allow her to have him unless she returns to him. 

Right there she started saying, "it's finished. I deserve better. I shouldn't have to always be running. He needs to understand, it's finished, but he doesn't. I am telling you, it's finished!" We asked if she was going to have to face him in order for it to be truly finished and she spoke words that have my heart torn. She said, "the elders from both families with meet." What does that even mean?! What if they decide that she must stay with him?! What if, what if, what if?! Brett just happened to be out there and we prayed protection over her and God's love and truth about who she is over her. As we prayed, she wept. As we prayed hope over her, she poured out her tears to God. 

Today, I am hanging onto hope for all the women, men and children that are battered and abused. Hope that they will find a way out before it is truly too late. Hope that they will realize that God never, ever intended for them to be someones punching bag. Hope that they will come to truly know who they are in Christ. Hope that they will begin to see their value in Christ. And yes, I'm even holding onto hope that these men will be introduced to Christ and that the Holy Spirit will change them from the inside out. 

Father, today we hold onto hope for your children that are in abusive situations. We ask that you give them knowledge that there is a way out. We ask that you help them understand that you never, ever meant for anyone to abuse another and that it is okay to leave when their life is in danger. We pray for the children that are being made pawns by the abuser. Father, cover their hearts and their hurts. Lord protect everyone involved in these situations. Set a hedge of protection around them. Give your angels charge over them. Fill these homes with your light and your love. Fill these homes with a supernatural peace. Holy Spirit bring hope and healing. In Jesus Name Amen