The Sprint to the Finish Line

Here I am on the last day of this adventure!

Crazy it's already over, but I'm ready for a change of pace.  This was definitely an intense couple of months.

Tonight I'm going to whip out all the little gifts I've been piling up the last couple weeks and bless the socks off the family, I hope.  It's amazing what awesome stuff you can get at a dollar store! haha!

Last night I got to finally hear some of the mom's story, which was very cool.  She was promised to her husband when she was 10 years old, and when she was 16 they actually got married.  When she was in the village getting prepared for the wedding, two of her cousins actually kidnapped her to make her marry this other guy they liked better than the one she was promised to!  They literally threw her over their shoulders and ran away with her, trying to get three villages away so her other relatives couldn't stop the wedding.  She said she was terrified and crying, but luckily her uncles caught up with them and her kidnappers dropped her and ran away.  

So she returned and was married to Aden.  They had been married about three years when violence broke out and they had to flee to Kenya.  She said all of their things were stolen, and her husband's family was all killed, but they managed to escape to the bush then walk to the border eventually.  Their oldest daughter was an infant at the time.  I asked if she would ever consider going back to Somalia, and she said definitely, if peace ever came to her country she would return.  She loves Somali and hopes she can go home one day.  I told her that when peace finally comes to Somalia, I'd go with her and visit her home. :)

I also got to have some in depth conversations about religion with my friend who's a translator and has befriended the family.  She invited us over for dinner and we were watching tv and there was a show about ghosts on.  She asked me if I believed in ghosts, and from there we went on to talk about death, the grave and judgment.  She told me she is terrified of the grave and believes bad people are tortured there before the real judgment happens.  I got to explain that's why it's so important that I believe Jesus actually did die and then came back to life-he was more powerful than death and the grave couldn't hold him!  We talked for a long time about what judgment will be like and who the Messiah is in light of our need for perfection.  Without Christ to stand in on my behalf, take my punishment, and cover me with his holiness, I would be headed for serious punishment for my failures.  Instead, I trust in his sacrifice and in response to this incredible gift, I live my life to honor him and bring him glory.  

It was a much more calm dialogue than some of our other discussions, which I was thankful for.  The more we know each other, the less aggressive she is in discussing her faith and the more honest she is about her true feelings and thoughts.  I love talking with her and hope I can keep in touch in the future.  If any one's looking for a language tutor in the twin cities, let me know and I'll connect you!

On that note, please pray for this wonderful family...that they would be protected, flourish in their new home, and meet more followers of Isa who welcome and bless them!