Re-integration

Mrs. Maninder is coming home. But to what?

Two years ago, Mrs. Maninder was living in a lean-to next to a garbage dump. She was at the end of herself - HIV positive - with a newborn baby - her husband having squandered his money and been sacked from a govt job (if that is even possible) - her older child with a huge cleft-palate... It looked totally hopeless.

Today, thanks to many prayers, Mrs. Maninder has been looked after by a rehabilitation home during which time her daughter (who is HIV negative - thanks to the cleft palate preventing breast-feeds) having had most of the basic reconstructive surgeries done. Mrs. Maninder has put on weight and wants to start working as a seamstress again.

But where is home?

And at what level is she going to live? She has been blessed with a beautiful stay at a home where all the amenities were modern, good nutritious food given free of cost, many social workers and volunteers who loved her and cared for her every need.

Now she is to be 're-integrated'. She wasn't even integrated when she left.

In the process of trying to find solutions, we explored having Mrs. Maninder staying with a nearby organisation for some time. The accommodation was a single large room that serves as a dormitory for the ladies being helped. Mrs. Maninder was shocked to see that there were no cupboards and minimal fans. Our colleagues at the place where she currently is, spent today trying to help her get ready for what is most likely to be a drastic change of lifestyle from the last 2 years.

Tomorrow we are going to make a pitch in our local church. To see whether our fellowships are ready to take the plunge. Not just to say "we will pray for you" but to really put our time / money / effort into this small family. Finding a place to stay. Supporting nutritionally. Visiting and encouraging. Helping Mrs. Maninder with her child-care and child-raising. Welcoming her into a home fellowship. Being there. Love in action. Love in practice.

The costs are huge. The immediate outcomes uncertain. Mrs. Maninder is not the most pleasant person to be with. But she is a child of God. She is a person we have been given a divine appointment with. She and her two children are those to whom we must, we absolutely must look after. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1.27).

It is not only this widow and her two orphans that need re-integration. Each one of us does. To get out of our 'comfort' zone and to be really stretched - and blessed. God help us (even if it be by a mighty kick in the seat of our pants).