Colombia | Ministering to Victims of Domestic Abuse
Mary migrated to Colombia from Venezuela with her husband and daughter six years ago. Though a displaced person herself, she began ministering to other migrants from Venezuela, who live a very precarious and vulnerable life, as well as Colombian women displaced by armed conflict in the country, who’ve often lost both home and family members due to the fighting. Three years after moving, long-time InnerCHANGE staff moved to Mary’s city to form a team around her, and Mary now serves as team leader.
This InnerCHANGE ministry is highly relational, connecting with women in a plaza and in a one-room community center surrounded by makeshift homes. They’ve listened to many stories of trauma and struggle, and realized that many families were suffering from violence in their homes. Domestic abuse was an issue that brought together their concern for both Venezuelan migrants and Colombian displaced women.
Mary was recently able to be a strong advocate for Claudia (not her real name), a Colombian woman whose daughter was classmates with Mary’s daughter. As Mary tried to get to know her, it soon became apparent Claudia had a lot of fear of her husband. When Mary didn’t see Claudia at school for two months she became very concerned. Finally, Claudia returned, and Mary learned she was battling breast cancer. Mary visited Claudia’s home for a “play-date” between their daughters, and Claudia finally opened up with Mary about how bad her situation was. She had been dealing with physical, psychological, and spiritual abuse for 10 years, and was afraid to do anything about it because her husband had threatened to take their daughter away.
Mary went with Claudia to talk with a lawyer, and supported her every step of the way to getting help. She was with Claudia when she filed a formal report, when she moved in with her mother, and when she went for the court hearing with her husband. When it was all over, Claudia was like a new woman. Her doctor actually congratulated Claudia at her next chemo treatment because she looked so much better, and said if she continued like this, she might need fewer treatments. Claudia and her mother have opened the door wide for continued relationship and discipleship with Mary. They’ve asked her to visit them and said they would love to read scripture with her.
It’s remarkable how God is already impacting so many lives—through this team that only formed two years ago, and through Mary, who’s experienced the challenges of displacement herself, but hasn’t let that stop her from ministering powerfully to others.
