She Laughs

A young woman sits in the corner of a Hindu run aftercare center for commercially sexually exploited women. During the first 4 visits she sleeps through the class. There could be many reasons for this, but it is likely because she is exhausted from the terrors of her night. However, during the fifth class she remains awake sitting in the corner, and listening from afar. We begin to try and gently engage her, and learn she speaks a different language from our translator. She is unable to communicate because most of the women around her speak a different language, and the translating is not done in her language. Thankfully our translator can speak a little of her language; so, we can engage on a basic level. However, she prefers not to speak. She prefers to remain unknown. The feeling of invisibility likely feels safe for her. In her present moments she can trust no one. Not even herself. Her broken spirit is most evident among the other 33 women because of her expressions and demeanor.  As she sits in the corner it is as if she is drowned in hopelessness and despair. So, we will call her Hope because we know there is always hope for the weary and broken hearted.  During the sixth and seventh classes Hope sits in the circle with the other women while we share the story of the resurrection and eternal hope for souls. We bring treats for the women in honor of Good Friday and Resurrection Day. Hope participates and eats the treats, but seems to remain devoid of any joy. Maybe it has been a long time since she experienced the feeling of joy, or maybe never in the 19 years of her life. The 7th visit was similar to the others as Hope sits in the circle unengaged and unable to understand. However, the eighth visit is a little different. The women sit in lines, and Hope sits in the corner toward the front. There is usually a bible story, and then an informal Math or English Lesson. This time the discussion is about hygiene, and more specifically how to care for the female body. At the end of this class we share the story of creation and fall of man from Genesis. The henna design is used to communicate the the story in a different way. Sheets are passed out of images that show the henna designs, as well as, henna cones for the women to practice sharing the story with each other. For whatever reason many of the women do not want to do the henna on each other. Maybe they do not know how to do it very well. The women practice telling the stories to each other, but many do not want to do the designs. So, two use my hands to practice. As I am sitting among the young women Hope is sitting in front facing to the side, and working with another woman. A woman is doing the henna on her. When the woman finishes she leaves. Hope is sitting there alone in the corner just looking at the design on her hand. She stares at it for a moment, and then she looks up and smiles the most beautiful smile. She looks at it again and gazes intently, and looks up to smile once more. Then she begins to look at the paper with the design and smile. All of a sudden she laughs. She laughs out loud not knowing anyone is watching. She does this for about 3 minutes. She Looks, studies intently, and then smiles and laughs. When asked why she is so happy and laughing. Her simple response: " I am studying the paper, and while looking over it I am thinking how fun it will be to make these designs." 

We may never know the details of what this young woman has experienced, but in this moment she experiences laughter. She laughs.

Pray with me that she would find the everlasting hope and joy that exists in the only God of salvation. 

Psalm 126:2 esv

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”