Justice Has A Story
You may have noticed that many of our recent posts have dealt with the stories of specific children in our program. That is intentional. Our work in Africa is comprised of real children with names and stories and families and faces.
The children we work with are more than statistics. More than numbers. More than a sponsorship program. Each of them are precious beings, fearfully and wonderfully created in the image of our God. The story below, Harry’s story, is no exception.
In January 2012, seventeen-year old Harry* (name changed to protect the child’s identity) was arrested and charged with the murder of his father.
His father was an abusive alcoholic who participated in witchcraft. The family so feared the father’s abusive rage that they would often become physically ill when he was in the home. When Harry’s younger brother went missing, he suspected that his father had used a curse to kill him.
As a result of the father’s violent behavior, the family was driven out of villages and was forced to move frequently. Consequently, Harry and his siblings were often scattered among relatives and foster families.
Harry dreamed of one day finishing school and becoming a doctor. But his dream was becoming more and more impossible with each passing day. And then his father was murdered.
Although Harry was in another town when his father’s death occurred, he took the blame for the incident in order to protect his mother and siblings from suspicion and from possibly incurring a greater penalty that he would suffer as a juvenile.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” — 1 John 3:16. But how many of us would actually do it? Harry did.
When the SixtyFeet team met Harry, they were deeply impressed with this young man and greatly touched by his story. Our legal intern took on Harry’s case and began advocating with the courts on his behalf. Our Ugandan Director began seeking a sponsor for his education. And we all hit our knees and began praying for favor and release for this remarkable young man.
Harry with our legal intern, Abby
Over the summer, a generous sponsor stepped forward to fund Harry’s education. And by God’s grace, the courts ruled in Harry’s favor and allowed him to leave prison and pursue his new life. Today, Harry is back in school, chasing his dreams and loving the Lord with all his heart.
Justice has a story. It is the story of Harry and many other children who have been given access to justice and regained a normal life by the help of regular people like you and me. Injustice may be deep, but love goes deeper.
Consider giving to Sixty Feet today to continue giving hope to children like Harry whose lives God calls redeemed.
2 Responses to “Justice Has A Story”
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[...] J-FASTER sessions and our first intern focused on juvenile justice. – Dozens of children were able... SixtyFeet.org/2012/11/20/the-glory-of-god
We serve a Mighty, Awesome GOD!!!!!!
Thank you Abby , thank you 60 Feet for your unconditional love, that you shower on these children. May God continue to Bless your mighty ministry, and continue to shower HIS precious Grace upon all of your organization….