by Hope Carter
3 June 2011

Halima captured my heart and drew my tears as I got to know her and learn her story. I met her when she came to Kijabe Hospital for reconstructive pelvic surgery.

Typical for her tribal customs, she had been given in a pre-arranged marriage to an older man at the tender age of 13 or 14 in which she had no choice. At the age of 15 she was pregnant in a remote village in northern Kenya far from any medical help. She was only able to deliver a dead baby after a prolonged labor in the village and tortuous trip to a distant hospital because her pelvis was too small to deliver a baby without surgery.

After about a year the same experience was repeated. That infant also died. She sustained considerable damage from birth trauma leaving her incontinent of urine and frequently smelly.

Her husband then decided that she was no longer useful for producing children or working in the home so he abandoned her. Her parents who had already received the dowry, along with her siblings and uncles did not want the responsibility for caring for her so she was sent away.

In Nairobi she sought work as a live-in maid but because of her incontinence she had difficulty staying anywhere very long. Often she was forced to sleep on the streets as an outcast. Finally someone who had heard of Kijabe Hospital and its reputation for surgery gave her just enough money to buy a one way bus fare to go get the medical help that she needed.

While in the hospital she learned she was HIV positive. Whether she became infected through abuse early in life, her polygamous marriage or while on the streets of Nairobi is unknown and inconsequential. She was left destitute, friendless, sick and without any hope for the future.

Upon learning of her plight the mission hospital staff rose to the challenge to provide her not only with high quality and compassionate medical care, but also with tangible expressions of love in the form of fruit treats, personal supplies and friendship. Over the three weeks she was in the hospital, she experienced more love and care than she had probably known for most of her life.

It was there that she heard about a loving God, who sent his Son to die for her, and eagerly received His grace and mercy and turned her life over to Him. She now had a new family in Christ with whom to walk through those difficult days. Although her medical condition could not be reversed and she deteriorated, she died with the knowledge that a loving God was drawing her to himself. She entered eternity with a secure home as part of God’s family and possessing all the love, joy, health and peace imaginable. She is now part of the Bride of Christ, and living with a kind and loving Lord who will wipe away every tear.

I wonder how many other thousands of young women are also subjected daily to personally degrading circumstances and domestic slavery with devastating consequences? What would Christ say to this? What can be done? Who will help these young women to know the love of a heavenly Father who also sorrows at neglect, abandonment and abuse? Who will share the glad news that their Heavenly Father values and cherishes His daughters as much as He does His sons?

When relationships are consistent with Biblical principles there is no place for neglect, abandonment or abuse. Every culture needs the illumination of Christ's light in order to discern helpful from harmful practices and to build communities where compassion, acceptance and caring thrive.

All cultures need to be redeemed, just as all human hearts need redemption. Please pray for the light and love of Christ to penetrate the dark and lonely places both in our own culture and in Halima's. Pray for us to know how we may best be effective agents of that love and light as we engage in cross-cultural ministry.

*not her real name
Joni Byker photo