Blog by Kathy and Kate Nielsen
"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isiah 1:17
This verse is often quoted as Christians talk of justice. Today, for us, this verse came to life
We began the day at the offices of the International Justice Mission (IJM) and had the opportunity to hear about the work they are doing to seek justice, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow. In Zambia, when a husband dies, his family of origin often claims his property, including his family home, as their own, leaving his wife and children with literally nothing. Many women are unaware that this is prohibited by law, and find themselves hopeless. IJM has a focused, holistic approach to offer care and hope to these vulnerable families. We learned how they are offering legal assistance to help the widows reclaim their homes; providing aftercare which includes things like counseling, jobs skills training, and education for the children; and educating churches, encouraging them to be the voices that demand justice for the women and children of Lusaka.
We later traveled to the place where one of the widows IJM has been helping was staying (she currently has no permanent home). After two years of struggle, in July the courts ordered her deceased husband's family to offer restitution, and this August she will finally return to a home of her own. We wish there were some way to describe her eyes as she told of her gratitude for what God has done through the work of IJM, but the experience is difficult to capture. We can say God has led CPC to some AMAZING partners here and she was a beautiful testimony to the effectiveness of IJM.
We've been having a great trip here and can't wait to tell our stories when we arrive back home!! Hope all is well. Peace out ;D
"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isiah 1:17
This verse is often quoted as Christians talk of justice. Today, for us, this verse came to life
We began the day at the offices of the International Justice Mission (IJM) and had the opportunity to hear about the work they are doing to seek justice, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow. In Zambia, when a husband dies, his family of origin often claims his property, including his family home, as their own, leaving his wife and children with literally nothing. Many women are unaware that this is prohibited by law, and find themselves hopeless. IJM has a focused, holistic approach to offer care and hope to these vulnerable families. We learned how they are offering legal assistance to help the widows reclaim their homes; providing aftercare which includes things like counseling, jobs skills training, and education for the children; and educating churches, encouraging them to be the voices that demand justice for the women and children of Lusaka.
We later traveled to the place where one of the widows IJM has been helping was staying (she currently has no permanent home). After two years of struggle, in July the courts ordered her deceased husband's family to offer restitution, and this August she will finally return to a home of her own. We wish there were some way to describe her eyes as she told of her gratitude for what God has done through the work of IJM, but the experience is difficult to capture. We can say God has led CPC to some AMAZING partners here and she was a beautiful testimony to the effectiveness of IJM.
We've been having a great trip here and can't wait to tell our stories when we arrive back home!! Hope all is well. Peace out ;D
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