Lumen Life | Sept. 24, 2018
Friends, I have encouraging news to share!
There is reason to believe that Leah Sharibu, the 15-year-old Christian Nigerian girl kidnapped by the Boko Haram in February, is still alive. [See previous blog on Leah’s captivity.]
The news came last week, as a recorded message of Leah’s was delivered to Nigerian media. It is the first story of confirmation of Leah’s survival.
While the government must authenticate the recording, her father has confirmed it is Leah, saying the family is “encouraged by hearing her voice.”
I don’t know if “encouraged” is the best translation for what they must be feeling. Imagine hearing your lost daughter’s voice for the first time in seven months. The joy and renewed hope that must have filled him, but at the same time a feeling of urgency to bring her home safely.
For seven months, Leah’s parents have gone to bed not knowing if the next day will bring news of the fate of their daughter. And each morning, they wake with the same pit in their stomach, wondering if the report that reaches them will be an answer to the prayers of so many, or the dreaded news of the end of their fight …Will they get a call in the middle of the night? A knock on the door? A tap on their shoulder at the market?
The wait must be excruciating. Her voice, a God send.