“Where is the love????” May 2014
Some of you may remember a song from the past called “Where is the Love?” by the group, Black-Eyed Peas. Recently I heard a story from our language helper about a faithful woman in an abusive relationship here in South Sudan. The song came to my mind as I reflected on Kejia’s story.
Kiden had been married to Lomoro for many years and had seen her family struggle through years of war, but especially as her husband began to drink alcohol. First it happened infrequently; but then over time, he began to drink daily and far too much, such that he neglected his family and became so abusive – verbally and physically. Kiden mourned the loss of the man she had married, and the love that they had shared. She prayed fervently to God; she pleaded with Lomoro to stop drinking alcohol, often leading to more abuse; she begged her friends and church to pray.
One day, after working hard all day – fetching water from the river, washing clothes, digging in the fields, and cooking what little food she had struggled to saved – Kiden had an idea, which she believed was from God.
Kiden gathered 3 large bundles of dry grass and put the children to bed early. When Lomoro stumbled home after dark, after drinking with his friends, Kiden served him food and stayed quiet. Soon as he was becoming sleepy, from food and drink, Kiden lit the end of one of the bundles of grass and began to walk slowly around their compound, as if looking for something. At first, Lomoro didn’t seem to notice. But when the first bundle of grass was finished and Kiden lit the second, Lomoro watched her every move, and began to shout, “What are you doing, woman? What have you lost?” But Kiden remained quiet and kept walking around the compound, as if searching for something.
As she lit the third bundle of grass, Lomoro had sobered up a bit and joined Kiden in her search, asking, “What is it you have lost?” Kiden turned and looked at her husband and said, “I am searching for the love that used to be in our home. It must be lost somewhere. I want to find it.”
Lomoro was struck deeply by his wife’s words. He sat down and began to weep. He realized she was right and confessed his sin. Lomoro and Kiden sat down together and talked, really talked, for the first time in years. Kiden thanked God for helping her to find the love that had been lost! The healing began in their home, and my friend heard their testimony in church the following Sunday.
I am reminded of the woman who had lost her coin and searched diligently to find it, and when she did, she called her friends and neighbors to come and celebrate with her! “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 8-10)
I was touched by the wisdom of this woman, who listened to her heart and found a way to reach through the fog of alcohol and find “the lost love.” I know that many turn to alcohol to cover the pain of this life. And many have suffered deeply in this land – from war, disease, death, poverty, hopelessness. Many turn to alcohol. But this story reminded me once again that the hope and love found in Jesus is stronger than all the pain, and it can transform a person, a marriage, a family, a community, a country! Thank you for your prayers and support as we offer the light of Jesus in this dark world!
