The faith of a teenager

"Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called." Isaiah 54:4-5

We don't know her name, only her situation. A teenager, told years ago that she would be the second wife of a Maasae warrior. She put her faith in the traditions of her people, trusting that all would be well ... that she would live a life not unlike centuries of Maasae women.

But this teenage girl would be different. We visited her last week alongside Selian's hospice team: Paulina, a nurse and team leader; Emmanuel, a newly graduated social worker; and a Maa-speaking volunteer from the village -- the man who identified the tragedy lurking within this teenager's boma.

She welcomed us inside a very dark hut. Round, made of sticks and mud, no windows for light or ventilation, a narrow bench against one of the walls. She sat next to wife #1, only a few years older but already with the worn look of a mature Maasae woman. The volunteer began to tell the story. The husband had died of HIV/AIDS two years earlier. Both of his wives were now infected, the teenager also struggling with Tuburculosis. Thankfully none of the five children face the same diagnosis ...... thus far.

Paulina patiently listened, asking appropriate questions, offering compassion and strength. We quickly saw something special in Paulina. She is the first team leader of Selian's Hospice Care program -- the first of its kind in Africa and one that is being modeled in developing communities far and wide. Four days a week she ventures into bomas (small family compounds of 3-10 huts) to bring care and prayer to the dying, health and healing for those with chronic illenesses. One day each month she helps to train 200 volunteers from various villages and churches recruited to be the eyes and ears of the Hospice program.

In this small, dark hut Paulina's heart and mind were in full gear. In their native Maa language she counseled the two ladies about their responsibilities, provided and then carefully explained the role of immune-building drugs, gave them enriched corn meal for use in cooking. She also looked into their weary, scared eyes and shared the love of a mother.

I didn't know their faith, but asked if we could pray together. Paulina was already one step ahead of me. She had been asking them about Jesus Christ. For the first time the teenager pulled the shuka from her face, looked directly at Paulina and explained. When her husband was dying a pastor came to visit -- the first time she had heard of Jesus Christ. Over the course of his dying they studied the Bible together and prayed. On his deathbed she was baptized. From that day onward she has found strength in God and God alone. Wife #1 wanted to know more, so she began attending church in a neighboring village. She is now studying the Bible, too, trying to learn as much as she can.

Suddenly my question seemed rather absurd. "Can we pray together?" I had asked. "That's why we're here," Paulina responded. "Will you translate?" I asked, wanting to know if I needed to speak in a slow, deliberate speach. "No worry," Paulina smiled. "God hears in all languages."

We prayed for health and strength, for community and purpose, for fears to subside and courage to reign, for the love of a Father and the love between two new sisters in Christ. After a collective "amen," the teenage girl sitting across from me asked a question I'll never forget. In Maa, of course, but with words that all of us could understand. "May I pray for you?"

We bowed our heads, tears already in our eyes, unable to understand the words of her mouth, but hearing the words of her heart with perfect clarity. She prayed for our health, our families, our children, our safe travels. She prayed for God's protection and care. She prayed that we would remain strong in faith and love. This teenage girl, widowed, illiterate, infected with HIV, daily struggling with the mucous cough of TB, little access to clean water or healthcare, doing her best to raise five children ------- she prayed for us.

That night God led me to Isaiah 54. "Do not fear ... for your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth he is called." Suddenly it became clear. This teenager's warrior husband had died, but she had courageously thrown herself into the arms of a new warrior -- the God she knows as Redeemer and Lord -- the God who has drawn her close and whispered in her ear, "Do not fear, child; all will be well." She believes his voice ... and prayed that we might do the same.

Peace+
Pastor Rhodes