The (St.) Nick of Time - December 2012 Update

One of the IJM client children who completed her

counseling and is receiving her certificate. So young!

By Lane Mears
It is Friday afternoon in Kigali at IJM’s office. Storm clouds are moving in, bringing a cool wind to the gathered crowd of local leaders, government officials, and our staff and ministry partners. We are gathered to celebrate.

We celebrate…

• 13 Clients - child victims of sexual assault who have completed their trauma counseling, a process which takes around 6 months to complete;
• 8 Mothers of our clients  - who completed a support group that helps them deal with the grief of their child’s rape; and
• Lay trauma counselors - people from local churches and other ministries in the country, who completed a series of trainings on how they can counsel trauma victims in their communities.

We celebrate because out of devastating grief and tragedy, God has brought healing and hope.

IJM clients dancing at the graduation celebration! Dressed
in traditional skirts and headbands.  

At the celebration, April*, a now-18 year-old client of IJM, stands in front of the gathered crowd to tell her story. One day nearly two years ago a man came to April’s house and asked her mother if she knew of a young trustworthy girl that would be willing to take on a housemaid job. April’s family was very poor, so April’s mother said her daughter was trustworthy and could do a good job.

The next day, the man took April to the home of woman who put her to work as a live-in housemaid. Two nights later, the same man came to the house with a friend and the two men drank beer with April’s new boss. April eventually went to bed. In the middle of the night, April woke up and immediately realized that her hands were tied and that one of the men had his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. He then proceeded to rape her. After the rape, April ran from the house and a neighbor took her to her mother. Eventually, the police filed charges against the abuser and the criminal case process began.

A young teenager IJM Client, with a baby sleeping
on her back under the blanket, receiving her counseling
certificate. Her face is hidden in the picture to
protect her privacy. 

Understandably, April was distraught that such a thing would happen to her. While the criminal case against the rapist moved forward, April discovered that she was pregnant as a result of the rape. As a poor, single 16 year-old girl carrying a child conceived of rape, April lost all hope. She decided to end her life, and purchased natural oils she had heard would do the trick. As she was about to ingest them, however, two of IJM’s client care specialists arrived at her mother’s house, in the nick of time, to provide counseling and a plan for recovery.

Over the next 18 months, April gave birth to a baby boy, spent months counseling with IJM staff and eventually completed her treatment plan.

And today, as the rain begins to fall, April stands before the crowd gathered to celebrate with her and she speaks of a new hope, a new joy and a thankfulness to God that He did not leave her alone in her shame and despair but He sent people to rescue her and give her new life.

A new hope, a new joy, a new life!!

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Merry Christmas, friends and family! We have much to celebrate. Chief among our causes to celebrate is the reason for Christmas – to celebrate God’s gift in Jesus. He came in the nick of time to rescue us from death and offer us a new hope and a new life. John 10:10 records Jesus' joyful words: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

It’s been WAY too long since our last update – sorry! Our family of four kids is hopping and busy with daily life. Joshua just turned one year old and is crawling everywhere. He can stand up and even take a few steps on his own but still prefers to crawl.

Abigail (7) did great on her solo in the elementary school Christmas musical.  She loves to sing around the house and really enjoyed being on stage for the two performances.  Say a prayer for Abigail if you think about it.  On Thursday, she will go visit 2 of IJM's clients at their homes here in Kigali. She decided a while ago that she wanted to give away some of her toys to the IJM clients.  So, she put the items in paper bags and put them under our Christmas tree. Tomorrow, she will get to deliver them in person. Thank you Lord for her heart for the poor and abused.

Joshua - 1 yr old

Caleb (9) remains a voracious reader. Most mornings, when I first come out to the living room, he is already awake and on the couch reading. Books! Thick books! Like with words and stuff!

Luke (4) can now count to ten in French (he attends a French pre-school). When I (Anna) went to his parent teacher conference today, the teacher said to the other teacher at the beginning of the meeting "for Momma Luke we must speak only English." Boy, did I feel like the silly mom who only speaks one language. But, they did recommend that I get some French story books for me to read at home to help him with learning the language.  

I, Anna, am really looking forward to these "holy days" ahead to spend time with my family, being creative at home and baking fun treats to eat. I am realizing how different it is having Christmas overseas. And, not in your home culture. We are learning to start some of our own family traditions.   I miss driving around looking at lights and time with cousins and grandparents. But, instead we will get together with friends here to sing Christmas carols.  The grocery stores here don't have displays at the end of the aisles for pumpkin pie, stuffing, candy canes, and hot chocolate. Instead, we have fresh mangoes, avocados, citrons, and carrots from our garden. The food may be different, but the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior, is still the same no matter where we live.

Abigail 7, Luke 4, Caleb 9
With fresh carrots from the garden!

Before I close, I must say, that I am so proud of Lane and the folks at the IJM Rwanda office for working so hard to exceed their yearly target of convictions in the legal cases they are working on.  They are "seeking justice" as in Isaiah 1:17. In 16 of their cases this year, the child rapist was convicted, well beyond their goal of 10 convictions. That is 16 sexual abusers who are behind bars and can no longer hurt any other children. Yeah team!

Merry Christmas!

From the Mears family in Rwanda
Lane, Anna, Joshua, Luke, Abigail, Caleb