International Justice Mission’s (IJM) quarterly newsletter just came out and it gives a great glimpse as to why IJM holds criminals accountable for their actions by prosecuting them and sending them away. But hold on a second, you may be wondering, “Isn’t IJM a CHRISTIAN agency?” Yes, undoubtedly. “And they’re sending people to prison for years?” Indeed.
This is one of IJM’s most central hallmarks – perpetrator accountability – which really makes societal structural change in a location IJM works in possible. Now, why is this such a cool and amazing work? Because, for quite some time the need for the church to truly embrace and live out the call to DEFEND the orphan and widow has gone unanswered. It’s a difficult objective to carry out tactically. But now, it’s happening. Working in developing countries, IJM is there rescuing and defending the oppressed from all sorts of oppression; be it forced labor (slavery), rape for profit, illegal property seizures, and other sorts of injustices. In order to do this, IJM must prosecute the perpetrators to bring an end to the oppression occurring in the community. God’s call and command to defend the orphan and widow is being answered!
In IJM’s recent quarterly update, Gertrude’s story is highlighted. Gertrude is a victim of illegal property seizure. After her husband died, her husband’s brother made it clear he was going to take her property. When Gertrude would not willingly give up what was legally hers, the man went from threatening to using violent force. Gertrude was dragged from her home and beaten in front of her daughters and granddaughter. The only way to stop such violence is to punish those who cause it. By doing this, “suddenly,” as Sean Litton (VP of IJM Field Operations) has said “the weak have a voice and hope for a community where they do not need to live in fear anymore.”
Often times these are our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering.
When a criminal in a community is sentenced to time in prison, it sends an alarming message to those who are also involved in the same violent work: there’s consequences for what you’re doing. Stop while you still can.
God smiles upon this, as His gospel and call to execute justice on behalf of the oppressed is being embraced and lived out. It’s happening, now, in this generation. May it be so, o Lord, that the dark oppressive forces that exist shall dissipate from an onslaught of the light of justice. This is world-changing work. This is the work of IJM.
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| Justice has been served - Gertrude's perpetrator is in prison. Now she can return to living a life without fear! |
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