Journal Entry from Morocco

October 20

Saturday: This is a long entry maybe you should get a cup of coffee.

Today Jess and I went to a young woman's juvenile institute in Northern Africa. I had no idea what to expect when I went and even now I am amazed with what happened.

There is a very small group of women from our church who have made a deal with the young woman's rehabilitation center to go visit the girls, lead work-outs, play soccer, and do arts and crafts for 2 hours a week on Saturday. This is good, but I think that many of the ladies (and I'm sure the girls as well) feel frustrated with the small amount of time that we are given.

When we arrived at the building, we were locked out side. The lead lady who runs the place has to unlock the doors to let anyone in or out of the building. So, for a while we were locked outside because no one could hear us banging on the door due to construction work that was going on inside. Once we finally were heard, and let in, we were led through a long concrete hall way, up a flight of stairs and then bombarded with literally dozens upon dozens of young ladies.

Even though I know hardly any Arabic, the girls were incredibly excited to see visitors and greeted us all with hundreds of kisses on our cheeks. Immediately, I was amazed with the living conditions that the girls were in. One girl in her mid-teens seemed to be trying to wash her clothes in a ground toilet. She stayed in the dark bathroom the whole time, sometimes peeking through the door to smile at us or to see what was going on. The floor was concrete, and most of the girls were shoeless, I cannot imagine what it will be like for them, come winter.

As I was still being bombarded by kisses, I saw a shy little girl about eight years old sitting in the corner. She had amazing green eyes and lighter colored hair. I waved at her and said 'Salaam'...she looked at me funny, turned to see if I was talking to someone behind her then pointed to herself with a question mark on her face. When I nodded, pointed at her, and repeated my greeting, her face lit up. I could not imagine what this little girl could have done to be placed here. Some of the girls had tiny babies that they had given birth to in the center. One little baby boy was in the arms of a 15 year old, he was a month old and looked as if he weighed 5 pounds, if that. I can never imagine being about 15 years old and giving birth to a baby in a concrete rehabilitation center.

Later, I learned that many of the girls were in this place because they had been deserted by their parents who had left the country, or had relations with a guy that ended in pregnancy, or were found on the street as child prostitutes. We have no idea what most of these girls have been through, what most of these girls hide deep in their hearts, out of shame or fear....but worst of all, we have no idea what these girls have to face in the future.

It frustrates me how willing we are to disregard life as a human race, how quickly we are to forget those who are needy or pass judgment upon them and how disgusting our way of living has become. I am appalled by my own selfish wickedness when burdened by stupid insignificant problems, when there are children all over the world who suffer! If only I could remember that my problems would be considered blessings by many.

'Why is this line taking so long?' 'This waiter did not smile nice enough at me?'

'This guy cut me off in traffic?' 'How am I going to pay this bill?'

One of the girls there who was found on the street came from another African country. She was arrested and put into the institute when she could not come-up with her papers. We still have no idea how she got here from her original country or why she was on the street, or how she was surviving at all! The girl, Miriam, could only speak English, making it impossible to communicate with any of the other girls or workers in the facility. She was thrilled to talk to us....even if it was only for a short time once a week. For a while, Miriam and I were happily playing jump rope. A few times her shirt would flip up to reveal deep dark scars all over her back. From who or why, I'll never know.

I have not lived a trouble free life, in fact far from it, but all I know is that at that moment, I knew that I was ignorant. I knew I was blessed beyond all I could imagine, and I knew I was horrible for not doing something for the other people in this world who suffer every day.

We will ALL be held accountable for the things that we do or do not do in this life time. There is no way around it. When you stand at the judgment seat of God, which will happen, are you going to be able to hear 'Well done my good and faithful servant?' or are you going to wish that you repented of your sins and that the blessings you have NOW were put to better use while you had the chance.

Our petty trials ....your petty trials and tribulations are envied by millions in this world. Think about that. YOUR petty 'trials' and 'tribulations' are ENVIED by MILLIONS in this world.

Enjoy your coffee.

Marissa Lopez