Protecting Innocence (Part 2)

I know that Part 1 and this story are not technically related, and yet they feel connected in my heart. There is so much that surrounds me here each day that just brings forth my desire to love and mother the beautiful children in Nicaragua. I want to see them protected. I long to see them know that they are loved. I desire to see them raised in homes that are safe and filled with the Lord's presence.

   Sunday afternoon I saw Jasmina standing in the middle of the street cradling sweet Katalin in her arms. Immediately I knew something was wrong. The usual light in her face was nowhere to be found. "What's wrong Jasmina?", I asked casually. Her face hardened like a mask, but a veil of fear and sadness covered her eyes. Her voice was calm and steady as she began to recount the day's events…

   Surdo, her boyfriend, had attacked her with Katalin still in her arms. He shoved her to the ground as she tried to fall in a way that would protect her daughter from harm. I can't imagine the fear that she felt in that moment. His drunken attacks are nothing new. He is always drinking and often abuses Jasmina when he is drunk. However, today was different. Today he put her daughter in danger.

   Jasmina's dad, Pedro, stepped in to protect his granddaughter. (I still wonder why he will step in to protect baby Katalin when he has never stepped in to protect Jasmina, but that's another topic for another day). As Pedro stepped forward in defense of Katalin, Surdo punched him in the face (Surdo, Pedro, and Digna- Jasmina's boyfriend and parents- pictured left). The family finally had to call the police and have Surdo arrested (This is another small victory in the midst of a horrendous situation because just a couple of months ago Jasmina simply accepted her fate as an abused spouse: read Conversations of the Heart). Surdo was furious and as the cops hauled him away, he began threatening Jasmina shouting that he would kill her as soon as he was released.

    That is where I found her. Standing in the street, his threats still heavy on her heart and mind, and wondering how long it would be until he was released. She didn't know if she had days or merely hours. You could tell from the terror in her eyes that she fully believed that he would carry out his threats. "Jasmina where are you going to stay tonight?" I asked concerned. She shook her head slowly, looked at me with fear-filled eyes. "Lisa, I have no idea. I have been trying to find someplace to go. It's hard to find somewhere that will be good for Katalin too. I'm not sure what I'm going to do." In that moment, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
    I took a deep breath and told Jasmina, "Let me take Katalin. I'm leaving Candelaria tonight and will be gone for a couple of days. Let me take her with me." Relief flooded her face. "Would you really do that?" she asked tentatively. "Absolutely!" I responded without hesitation. I love that the Lord has allowed me to build a relationship with Jasmina where she is willing to entrust me with her daughter.

   I ran home to shower while Jasmina gathered Katalin's things and prepared to care for this beautiful girl for the next few days. I returned in less than 20 minutes.

    As I walked toward her house, I saw that Surdo was already sitting in the front yard looking despondent and completely broken. Fear flooded my heart. "Oh no," I thought, "I'm too late. He's home. He will never let them go now." My eyes began to desperately scan their yard looking for signs of Jasmina and Katalin. I stood frozen in the street. I was afraid to ask where they were and even more afraid to turn back without Katalin. Suddenly I see Jasmina step forth from her neighbors home across the street with Katalin in her arms. Relief pure and deep like a river flooding my soul. Thank You Jesus! They are safe.
  I walked over and took Katalin in my arms kissing her cheek. Jasmina nods toward Surdo sitting in the front yard and tells me that she hasn't been able to get Katalin's clothes, bottle or diapers yet, but she will try to bring me before I leave. I held Katalin against my chest, embraced her tightly, and walked quickly back to my house.

   I sat on my bed holding Katalin on my lap playing with her and praying over her and Jasmina. My heart just overflowed with love for her. I was thrilled to have a few days to just love her and keep her safe. To pray and to prophesy over her life. In that moment, I really wanted her to be mine, even if it was only for a few days.

   Katalin stayed with me for a little more than an hour before Jasmina showed up at the church telling me that things had calmed down. Surdo was leaving in the morning for the village where his family lives. She was ready to take Katalin home with her. I gently kissed sweet Katalin Adaya and placed her back in her momma's arms. Jasmina looked into my eyes, "Thank you." she whispered. "Anytime." And then I watched them walk away.

   An emptiness filled my heart as I watched them leave. It had only been a little more than an hour, but my arms felt empty without my girl in them. I realized how much I wanted her. I wanted her to be mine for those two days. I wanted to shower her with the Lord's unconditional love and to allow her to have a few days of peace and rest in His presence. I realized in that moment exactly how much I wanted Katalin to belong to me. How desperately I long to protect and love her. But for today she isn't mine. There was nothing I could do except watch them walk away asking the Lord to cover them and protect them.