Mary’s Story

Mary’s father left 9 year old “Mary” to watch her little sister while he went to work to provide for the family.  Shortly after her father left home that morning, 3 men attacked “Mary.”  She was dragged into a nearby field to be beaten and brutally raped.  Her father sensed something was wrong and returned home to find the men tying up “Mary’s” little sister preparing to throw her down a well.

When “Mary” arrived at the Butterfly Project she was in terrible shape.  The staff lovingly cared for her needs including multiple surgeries to repair the damage done by the attack.  As “Mary” healed physically, she also received counseling to help her emotional scars heal.  Seeing God’s love for her displayed through the staff, “Mary” wanted to give her life to Jesus.  Her faith and love for Jesus grew stronger everyday.   Wanting to express her thanks to the staff “Mary” wrote the following note:

I would like to share my testimony how Jesus works in my life.  Before I came to know Jesus, I always disobey and rude to my parents.  Everyday I’m learning about Jesus and I received Him as my Lord and savior.  He changed me, and always changing me.  I learned to trust Jesus and put my faith on Him.  As I always attend Sunday school at church, I learned to know Jesus well.  My favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 4:6.

Because of her new faith in Jesus “Mary” realized that she needed to forgive the men that had attacked her.  “Mary” had to testify in court on multiple occasions in the trials of the men that attacked her. She did so without animosity or hatred, but forgiveness in her heart.  Her court case continues, but “Mary” and her younger sister were able to return to their home to live with their father.  Today “Mary” is doing great and regularly sends notes and texts expressing how she loves and misses the staff and other girls.