One year ago, Anna and I were in Washington, D.C. at the headquarters of International Justice Mission, being trained and commissioned to serve in Kenya. I knew then that IJM was a top-notch organization with a unique and powerful mission: to fight for justice for the poor in nations in which the public justice system simply does not work for the poor and powerless. I knew then that IJM did this by, in the name of Jesus, offering excellent pro bono legal representation, investigation, and aftercare to those who suffered unthinkable injustices, in order to level the playing field so that these powerless could have a fighting chance for justice. As of June 2009, I knew all of this intellectually, and I was elated that I would get the chance to give what I had to offer to the fight, and so thankful that you all were a part of it.
Here we are, one year later, with less than two weeks left in Kenya with IJM, and my depth of knowledge and understanding of IJM’s work has been deepened by experience. This experience has often been painful (daily hearing awful stories of abuse), disheartening (having a man go free when we know that he abused a young girl), and maddening (when corruption rules over a just process). Yet, the experience has also been invigorating (knowing that every day I am being used to fight for something that is God’s heart—justice for the poor and oppressed), joyful (helping an innocent man go free, seeing an abused girl gradually heal of emotional pain, and seeing a client commit her life to Jesus), and just plain fun (serving with passionate, intelligent, and fun Kenyan colleagues who I now call friends). Thank you so much for making it possible for me to do this—I (and the rest of my family) will never be the same.
As for the work of IJM in the Kenya office, it has been an eventful last few weeks here. You may recall a girl I referred to as *Laura in a previous update. Laura’s is a very sad case in which three men abused her over a period of time, including her father. In March, we got a conviction for one of the men who abused her. Just two weeks ago, the case against a second abuser (not her father) came for judgment, and the judge convicted him and sentenced him to life in prison. We are so happy that Laura is getting justice for what happened to her. The case against her father comes up for judgment next month. Please pray for Laura as she continues to undergo counseling towards emotional healing. On the heels of this elation, however, we got some sad, if not expected, news in the case of a girl (who I mentioned in an urgent prayer request last month) who had been abused by her grandfather, and we suspected that the judge had a bias in favor of the dude (possibly because he had bribed the judge). Well, just last week the judge acquitted (found innocent) the grandfather. Needless to say, we were a bit disheartened. Yet, just a few days after that, in another case one of our investigators tracked down and arrested a man who had violently abused an 8-year-old girl and then fled. Again, we were elated that this man will have to face the music for his despicable deeds.
That’s the way this work is: high highs followed by low lows, and back again. Through the continual emotional rollercoaster, God has been teaching me to rely on Him and to trust Him and His character, even when it appears that the powerful are getting a free pass for their abuse of power and the victims are left with nothing. God sees the big picture, the entire span of events, the whole film; yet all I see is what is immediately before me, the moment, a single frame. I have seen Him move in powerful ways to bring hope where there was none; victory where defeat was expected; and healing where there was only pain and hopelessness. He is powerful, good, and loving, and He uses you and me to bring that justice to individuals. I have to trust that even when we do not see justice in the present, He is doing something I do not see. I believe.
As for news from the home front by Anna: Today, I took the kids on a field trip to see the sewing ministry of
Amani Ya Juu. We walked into the sewing shop for the "full tour" and when the ladies began singing to us a gospel song in Kiswahili I cried. Yes, right there holding my video camera taping these women singing to us. I cried because I realized that I was really going to miss this place. These women, along with so many women I have met, are fighting against tough odds, standing firm in their faith, working hard to earn a living, and truly making a difference in the world they live in. Amazing! If you are ever in Nairobi, I highly recommend visiting Amani and don't forget to ask for the "full tour with singing."
Caleb “graduated” from first grade from Rosslyn Academy last week and we are so thankful for all of the great teachers, especially Mrs. Gradin his first grade teacher. Caleb has made many new friends this year from many different countries. One of his favorite days at school was when he got to try some Korean food made by one of the moms in his class. Recently, he mentioned to me that Kenyans call him "Ka-leb Mee-ahs." I think that it is interesting that a seven year old recognizes how different cultures say the same words differently.
Abigail has made huge steps in several areas over the year. At first when we arrived here in Kenya she was very shy about saying hello to Kenyans. But, as the year has progressed, so has she. She now joyfully waves and says "Habari" (hello) to Kenyans we know and will introduce herself and how old she is to others. I am so proud of this big step for her. Last weekend, we were out of town and had the opportunity to help feed about 200 Kenyan kids who live in the tribal area of the Laikipia region of Kenya. Abigail jumped right in and helped pass out food to the little kids.
Luke is repeating so many words now! Some of his verbal repertoire includes: ball, boat, bus, no more, book, eat, truck, and juice (for all drinkable liquids). Now, in the car he points and yells out "bus." So fun! Today, he got his first official haircut that was not by mommy. (My hair clippers popped and started smoking the other day. Oops, that happens even with converters sometimes I discovered!) He did great and sat up so proud in the chair as Faith clipped away.
Anna has been adding entries to our family blog lately! Check out some of our adventures getting
new visas, or a video clip of 500
Kenyan women singing at Bible Study, or a
short weather report on the rainy season in Africa by Caleb, or trying something new such as
eating raw sugar cane bought on the side of the road. I am also in the middle now of the BIG SORT, as I call it. Everything in our home must be sorted into one of 4 piles - home to Texas, sell, donate, or pass on to the others. We arrived with 10 boxes and in about 10 days we will leave with those same 10 boxes. However, the stuff inside of them has changed and I know that each of us have changed too!
So, what’s next for us? The big news is that on June 29th I will interview with IJM for a future field office director position. There are not any such positions available now, but we are hopeful that the interview will go well and an IJM position will open up in the near future for which I would be qualified. In the meantime, we will head back to Austin (after spending time with our families in Dallas and Houston) and I will go back to practicing law. If you know of anyone looking to add a lawyer on a full-time (perhaps temporary) basis, please let me know. This is a big prayer request for us: that I would be able to jump back into practicing law in Austin without too much delay.
Prayer requests:
- For us to “finish well” here, with Lane’s work and work colleagues and with our friends
- For safe, timely travel back to Texas on June 19–20
- For Lane’s interview at IJM headquarters in DC on June 29
- For Lane to secure law work back in Austin as of mid-July
As we close out our near-year with IJM Kenya, we are feeling the pain of leaving friends we have made while here, leaving a work I have come to love, and leaving a country which has changed us and awed us in many ways. I am not sure we will realize how much we’ve been changed this year and how much we will miss Kenya until we get back to Texas. But, we are looking forward to seeing all of you and thanking you in person for your part in the battle for justice. See you on the flip-side.
p.s. To those of our new and wonderful friends from Kenya that are now a part of our life, I am so thankful for technology and the really small world that we live in. Africa and Kenya now have a special place in our hearts and always will. Who knows when our paths will cross again. I look forward to it!
Peace,
Lane for the Kenya Mearskats
