As I stated in part 1, if you are a child or under 18, stop reading this now and have your parents read it before you do. If you are a parent and you are reading this to your children, please stop. This topic is not pleasant but one very much in need of awareness.
I will spare what gruesome details I can, but this post is not for the weak. Female circumcision is illegal in this country and is punished legally, but it does still occur in some villages.
A girl between the ages of 4 and 8 is taken to a hut where an older woman comes to meet her. Then four people each hold her arms and legs, while the woman cuts off the girl's clitoris. For this day and a week afterwards, a drummer is outside the hut to play drums to drown out the girl's screams of pain. After the week, the wound is treated further. However, the girl will never know sexual pleasure as a woman, because, after all, "pleasure is for men."
How do you minister to this girl? How do you minister to women who have endured this? How do you help her to realize her value in God's eyes when she has been so demeaned and broken? How do you explain how a God who loves her allowed this to happen? How do I??? I don't know.
About Me
- Lisa
- Hello, I am a mother of three living with my husband in Africa. I have been blogging for seven years but still find myself very technologically challenged. I make lots of mistakes, but life is a journey. Come join me on the journey!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Rated R for Horror
Before I begin my story, I ask that if you are reading this to a child, please stop. If you are a child reading this, please stop and have a parent read it before you do. I do need to make a disclaimer before I begin. The story I am about to tell is not always the case, however, it does happen and it is a story worth telling.
A girl is often given in marriage at an early age, particularly in the village, often shortly after she becomes a "woman" by having her menstrual cycle. Parents may be concerned for the girl's welfare or just to prevent any premarital sexual activity and consequently premarital pregnancy.
One 13 year old girl was taken on a walk by her father. They came to a hut where a man 3 times older than the girl was waiting for them. The father introduced the girl to the man and then told her that she would now submit to this man because he would be her husband. The father walked out of the door and closed it behind him. The "husband" proceeds to force himself on the girl, raping her and attempting to keep her from screaming. Meanwhile, the "father" waits outside, telling the girl that she will submit, threatening to kill her if she does not.
Upon hearing this story, I was not sure which one to be more horrified over, the husband or the father. With this picture of a father, I would have a hard time presenting God as our heavenly Father. How do you explain what true love is to a woman who has been treated in this way?
On a side note, as I said, this is not necessarily the rule, however it does happen. Is it any wonder that I have a hard time letting my young daughters out of the house? Young men will often say how pretty they are and ask to be their husband. Sometimes I can tell they are joking or just wanting to compliment them, but other times I can feel a chill go down my spine. I am so grateful that my girls have a father who is adamant about protecting them and letting them know they are truly loved and consistently shows them how much they are valued. Pray with me that girls like this one will know what true love is.
A girl is often given in marriage at an early age, particularly in the village, often shortly after she becomes a "woman" by having her menstrual cycle. Parents may be concerned for the girl's welfare or just to prevent any premarital sexual activity and consequently premarital pregnancy.
One 13 year old girl was taken on a walk by her father. They came to a hut where a man 3 times older than the girl was waiting for them. The father introduced the girl to the man and then told her that she would now submit to this man because he would be her husband. The father walked out of the door and closed it behind him. The "husband" proceeds to force himself on the girl, raping her and attempting to keep her from screaming. Meanwhile, the "father" waits outside, telling the girl that she will submit, threatening to kill her if she does not.
Upon hearing this story, I was not sure which one to be more horrified over, the husband or the father. With this picture of a father, I would have a hard time presenting God as our heavenly Father. How do you explain what true love is to a woman who has been treated in this way?
On a side note, as I said, this is not necessarily the rule, however it does happen. Is it any wonder that I have a hard time letting my young daughters out of the house? Young men will often say how pretty they are and ask to be their husband. Sometimes I can tell they are joking or just wanting to compliment them, but other times I can feel a chill go down my spine. I am so grateful that my girls have a father who is adamant about protecting them and letting them know they are truly loved and consistently shows them how much they are valued. Pray with me that girls like this one will know what true love is.
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