more than a story

This Sunday will probably go down in the books as one my favorite days so far. We went to church at Pastor Zizer's. The kids that I helped with at the VBS on Thursday were doing a little play in the service and I wanted to go. The play was adorable and the kids were so stinkin' cute!! The message was on singleness...can't say that was my favorite part of the day but a part that I know that the Lord wanted me to hear. That is another can of worms for another blog entry. :P After church, we walked home...in the pouring rain. Rain so hard that you just held the umbrella as close to the front of your body as you could in hopes that a fraction of you might stay dry. We couldn't see in front of us because we all had your umbrellas over our faces. It was hilarious, if you could have seen it. I was laughing so hard that it is miracle that we ever made it home. Then we had lunch with the Zizer's (all but Marvell because she upcountry at a funeral). We had ground nut soup, which is by far my favorite dish here. It is delightful and, praise the good Lord, doesn't have any fish in it!! It was a stormy and windy afternoon, so that means it was cool. (again praise the good Lord). We sat in the Zizer's living room after lunch and visited with Pastor. We talked about home and what churches we have come from. Haley made a comment that she had thought she would see more of the effects of the war all around. This is when the Pastor told us his story. I wish that he was here to type it out because I will not and cannot do it justice. Justice, that is a funny word. Nothing could do it justice! Even now it breaks my heart and the tears fill my eyes. I have come to love this family and it makes me heart break and it stirs such emotions of anger in me that they had to live through what they went through. There were moments when death seemed certain and yet by the Lord's grace they were spared. Everything they had was taken by the RUF the night they invaded Freetown....after 3 or 4 waves of rebells coming into their home as they just sat and watched. Pastor had to hear that they planned to rape his wife (which thankfully the Lord - through prayer stopped from happening). The Zizers after a few days fled to the east side of town, which is where the RUF eneded up. It was here where they were seeking shelter that it seems the worst was felt. They were made to come out every evening and clap as the RUF burned down buidlings and shot those that ran out or jumped out. One evening, they layed on the ground in the place they were taking shelter for one hour as the RUF shot at the house from the other side of the street....bullets flyign just above their heads. A man with his wife, mother and two boys. (The youngest of which has had the most difficult time healing because it traumatized him so deeply.) Pastor decided enough was enough and decided to flee again. They knew there would be ambushes. There was a moment on the road, surrounded by rebells that he looked at his family in front of him and knew that was the moment he would watch his wife and children die. It is truly only by the Lord's grace and mercy that they are all here today. The stories are much more detailed, but I don't want to do them the dishonor of thinking I can fully tell their story. I do want to say they are now walking in freedom and healing. I would say that it is a continual process and my prayer is for deeper and more complete healing in their hearts. Pastor said it is only now that he can talk of these things without breaking down. The air in the room seemed heavy as Pastor was sharing all this. What words can be said after this is shared? I am sorry seems hollow. Thank you for sharing...seems too light. It was such a sweet moment of just being together. I was crying a little....just being there with him in the silence after all was said. We sat that way for a long time. Compassion means suffering with...I hope that on whatever small level he felt compassion coming from our hearts. That as much as we could, we ached with him. I don't tell you this for emotions sake, it was a sweet treasure of mine and something that I will remember all my days. Our rainy afternoon peaking into the life they once lived are now picking up the pieces from. Please pray for their continues recovery in all areas, as a family, emotionally and financially. I wish that you all had the priviledge of meeting them and sitting in their home and hearing their story! The evening was spent hanging out with the kiddos and just enjoying the evening. Lots of laughter, which seemed sweeter after knowing all they had endured.