Something's gotta change

Today Sophia, a former student, brought a 16 year-old by the house to see if she might join The Well.  Fon lives with her alcoholic, abusive dad and 11 year-old brother.  Her inner wounds became obvious within minutes of conversation.  When she was out of earshot, I exclaimed to Sophia, "She's been raped."  "Yes, that's right," Sophia replied.  Fon also gave herself a drug-induced abortion last year.

I wanted badly to just walk around the table, put my arms around Fon and tell her, "Here is a man who loves you.  Here is a man who won't hurt you."  But Thai culture isn't much for hugs, and besides it would have been a too quick in any culture, especially for someone hurt by men like this.

Fon's older sister is not far away, living with a boyfriend.  He just wants to be with her for fun, not get married.  When he told Fon's sister, she cut her left arm repeatedly.

We don't have a safe place for someone as wounded and love-starved as Fon.  The neighborhood around our main centers is too drug-infested.  I'll call Joyce at Abba House tomorrow. 

When we moved here nearly 5 years ago, Fon was 11.  Much of her hurt has happened since then.  Of course we couldn't have known her--she lives in another province.  But it made me think of how many more have been so badly hurt even in the few years since we came here; how many thousands were abused just this last week.

We can't keep letting this happen, folks.

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Greg G.
Posts: 1
Comment
The more things change...
Reply #1 on : Wed May 06, 2009, 18:38:45
Jim,

Wow! I read your blog and I was just leveled! I know you see it every day, but I was really moved by this. I know it's God's grace that's sustaining you and Judy through all of the sin and pain there.

Yet, I also thought about how much the story of these girls is also the story of so many right here in the US of A! Even here in the bread-basket of the world, the Midwest, on the streets of Kansas City, women are being used left and right in dead-end relationships. As you probably know, women with children make up 24% of the homeless population here. Men are hooked on the most horrendous of drugs. Yet, just like in Thailand I'm sure, people can turn a blind eye to those hurting and run to their idols (money, homes, families, cars, etc....).

I've been, along with the Christian Life Program team here at City Union Mission, trying to get churches more involved. I really believe God's vehicle for changing people and culture is the local church. Yet, it's been so tough! I'll tell you more. Later