"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him."
From my very first month working with Baby Safe in January, I was made aware of Andisiway and her situation. At 18 months old she was was underweight, still being breastfed by an alcoholic mother, and there had been reported violence and abuse from the father. Bethany had been communicating with the social workers in Masiphumelele and advocating for her removal and placement with a safety family. From those very first meetings we began to pray and intercede on her behalf, that the LORD would give us favor and deliver her. It was to become a long and drawn out struggle.
A removal was soon planned by the social workers and Baby Safe was on standby, ready to fetch her as soon as she was safely away. But instead of the expected summons, we were contacted with the news that the mother had taken off with Andisiway and was nowhere to be found. So instead of fetching the little girl, Alli and I drove in to Masi in order to get information and details and discuss future plans. What we found caused no end of frustration and discouragement. Reading over Andisiwe's file we encountered records of abuse and neglect, followed by subsequent warnings, second chances, and no change from her first month of life up until now! The mother had 4 other children as well, all of whom had been removed previously and placed with other family members. How could a cycle like this be allowed to continue?
And so we continued to pray, and to advocate and plan with the social workers again and again for removal. The mother eventually returned, but instead was monitored and given a warning. The cycle of alcoholism and neglect continued however so removals were again planned, only to be met by violent resistance or disappearance. Months passed, each one marked with another attempt and failure, each one filled with prayers for future success and favor.
In July Bethany left for an extended holiday and time of fundraising in the States. As our safety family coordinator I was also entrusted the task of continuing this case with the social workers. Almost immediately we were able to meet and a plan was once again underway. This time they planned to enlist the police, a day and time were set, I arranged a safety family, and we prayed in desperate hope. The day came… and nothing happened. The time came and went, no one contacted me, and none of my calls would go through. I was so disheartened, frustrated and discouraged. How could the LORD allow this to continue? As I went on with the day's work I didn't even feel like praying. What was the use? Was God even listening?
Then at 3 that afternoon (5 hours after the appointed time) I received the call saying, "She's here, come and get her!" I was thrilled beyond belief. Quickly notifying my on-call prayer team via sms and calling our safety mother, I jumped into my car and flew into Masi… only to encounter even more mess! Andisiwe was NOT there, they had allowed her mother to take her to the clinic as a ruse and no one was supervising her, and the police had not even been contacted yet! I sat in that office praying desperately as police were called, instructions given, and plans made. I did not want to come this close, only for it to fall through again!
Events continued to unfold with complete disorganization. Three cars of police showed up when only one was needed and the mother had already taken off for home, so they took off after her. I had stipulated for both my protection and Andisiwe's that her mother not see me, but within minutes a group of police, social workers, and one very drunk and angry mother were ushered into the tiny room where I waited. So there I was, little white girl trapped in the back of the room, come to take this woman's baby who was crying in the social workers arms, with everyone around me yelling in Xhosa. Uncomfortable, to say the least. But they quickly sorted the situation and the mother was escorted out and detained by police until I could leave Masi with Andisiwe.
Once her mother was gone the little girl calmed down tremendously, allowing me to make a preliminary exam before taking off. She was filthy, in a rotting nappy which had been filled at least twice, and at 2 was stick thin and no bigger than a 1 year old. But when we were ready to leave her little face lit up with a beautiful smile as she lifted her tiny arms to wrap around me. As we left Masi I wanted weep with joy. After nearly a year of prayer, effort, and consistent failure and discouragement, the LORD had answered our prayers! The first step in Andisiwe's deliverance had finally been achieved.
In only two weeks Andisiwe is like a completely different child. Full of life, joy, and exuberance she brings no end of delight to her foster family. She is gaining weight and strength by the day, has experienced no withdrawal though she was still receiving breast milk influenced by alcohol upon her removal, and is tackling developmental toys with enthusiasm and a sharp intelligence. It brings great hope and encouragement to us as we now face the next stages of her case.
The enemy in no means goes down without a fight. When you tamper with his plans for a life he will come against you with every weapon in his arsenal. Shortly after Andisiwe's removal I was incapacitated with illness for a week. Upon returning to work I found the social workers were trying to arrange parental visits counter to what had been stipulated by our safety family, and working toward reunification instead of a permanent, safe placement as had previously been planned.
We know that none of this will come easily, but our God is the God of miracles! He has come through thus far, and we believe that despite any difficulties and setbacks, He will continue to do so. And when we look at little Andisiwe and others like her, it is worth every moment of the fight. So please join us in prayer, as we storm the kingdom of darkness and ransom back these lives the enemy would take for his own! Jesus has a destiny for Andisiwe, and we believe we WILL see it come about, exactly as He has planned.
