Society of Intentional Lives

Jesus followers committed to living holistically



God has brought some interesting people to live in our house over the past few years. One of these was a Gambian woman fleeing domestic slavery in the UK. She came to stay with us for 2 months while she awaited an appointment to claim asylum in the UK (she has been here for 10 years living as nanny/domestic for various households for no payment - modern slavery).

She was really nervous about claiming asylum and always asked us to pray with her. I had the privilege of praying with her directly on a number of occasions. She and I did not share the same faith, but we did share a knowledge (her faith often stronger than mine) that God was the answer and only He could save us.

On the day she claimed asylum, she realised the full horror of the UK asylum system. She was immediately detained and put in a prison for women asylum seekers called Yarl's Wood Detention Centre in Bedfordshire, where she stayed for 6 months. She was released this week and returned to Bristol where we had a massive hug!

It amazed me how open she was to praying with me, how much she loved God, how completely she knew her need of Him, and she was not a Christian. I'm not sure why I was surprised really but I was!

It also amazed me how much God worked in my weaknesses, chief amongst which is my curse/ability to live in the moment and to deal with what is in front of me. This can be a terrible curse when people are not right there, I cannot seem to continue to hold them or to ring them even. Somehow, in the midst of that uselessness on my part, God brought me to remembrance at vital moments and I stayed in touch. I also prayed. This prayer is what this woman attributes her release to. She fully believes that the prayers of a Christian enabled her to be released.

How Great is Our God!


Blessings


Rachael

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Comment by John Becker on November 1, 2011 at 8:57pm

Wonderful testimony Rachael.  I am continually challenged by your calling and compassion.  I recently did a Bible study on God's heart for the Alien and Stranger. I think I might post it.  Thanks for writing this and more importantly, thanks for living this! John

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