Yes, even this young man...

Malaki. 8 months on the 18th. The love of our lives... A smile that will brighten up any hard day. At any moment. Grateful to God for this perfect. precious. gift.

.

Today, I had a pretty challenging situation come upon me... I would say the worst since our move here over 2 years ago. Isai and I were in Buja (the capital) picking up some things to return home after our trip to pick our dear friends from the airport. I dropped Isai off in the market and went on with Malaki to get some groceries. Usually we are together, but we needed to buy some blankets, sheets and towels for the children and we had a short time... to do ALOT! I went to a vegetable / fruit store that I go to often and as I was walking in, I saw a man who was crazy in the mind bound in such a horrible way. Dressed as a woman in a nice pink matching outfit. As he approached me, he tried to give me a hard time with his words and was trying to get physical kissing up on me. I just continued to tell him, just continue on your way.

.

He persisted and started to get more upset and as I was thinking of Malaki in the car, I thought.. let me just try to get out of here as I have been around alot of people who are bound and a bit crazy, but never one that was as confident and unpredictable as this young man. He goes to our car and starts scraping the sticker off, and at this point the local men escorted me to the car. Short after he pulls his pants down and bends over for all of us to see... just continuing to speak on. I thought. Jesus. Deliver this man. I got out of there asap... I have always been street smart and a little tough around the edges; never feeling intimidated by situations like this. Then, I thought of Malaki. Helpless and in need of protection.

.

Afterward I was a little shaken up, I won't lie! But more so thinking on the condition of this young man. I thought to myself, is he bound? What was his childhood like? Was he abused? My prayer is that God will deliver him and restore him. It breaks my heart to see anyone in his condition, nothing to live for. No purpose. A life filled with hopelessness, confusion and seclusion. I think today on the goodness of God, grateful for his salvation and his long suffering heart full of love for us. Even this young man. Yes, even him the Lord desires to transform, captivate and use in a mighty way. All our love...