But, what if.......

The fourth of July just whizzed past us, and here we are, in the middle of a busy summer in El Salvador.  Of course, the Independence Day of the United States doesn’t get much notice here in ES.  But, it means a lot to us.  Lately, though, I have been thinking much more about spiritual freedom, than national freedom.  What devastating effects occur when a someone is bound in sins and destructive patterns, listening to the lies of Satan, following the marching orders of this world.  Why have I been thinking so much about this?  Because everyday, I see it all around me in the lives of young girls, young women… made to believe, by their families, by their society, by their culture, by their tormentors, that they are nothing more than their bodies.  As if this is all they have to offer.  All anyone wants from them.  As if their bodies are their only ticket to any possible chance at happiness or hope.  It sickens me.  I am tired of watching it.  Tired of watching my dear friends compromise their faith, because they decide to take a chance on another man that MIGHT stick around to father their child. A man that MIGHT really love them, and want them for who they are.  They are lonely, afraid of the future, poor, unable to provide adequately for their families.  So, they give in to their fears, compromise their faith, and begin an intimate relationship with “Mr. Knight-on-a-white-horse.”  Which, never works out for them.   Why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free?  Yes, it’s crude, but it’s painfully true. Women don’t expect anything from men.  Whatever they get, whether it is money, children, time…they have been taught to be content with that.  Marriage? Well, by all means, DON’T bring THAT up.  If he wants to marry you, HE will let you know!   I am speaking from experience with friends here in El Salvador.  I see this especially in the poorer areas of El Salvador.  But, I see it in the big city, too.  A pervasive over-sexualization of young girls.  Little kindergartners are taught to dance seductively in parades.  Nine and ten year old girls are encouraged to get a boyfriend, to dress sexy, high heels and all.  Having a mistress is completely acceptable, and common. I have even heard that it is common in churches. But, as women, you don’t complain; at least you have food and a house…you are taken care of, so you should be content with that.  Bound in destructive patterns.

El Salvador is a country that is still reeling from the destructive, soul-killing civil war that ended some twenty years ago.  Neither you nor I can imagine what this war has done to the heart and soul of these people.  I meet people all the time with stories to tell about the war.  You can see the pain in their eyes.  Here it in their voices.  It is haunting.  I just prayed with a friend this week because she had been a child and grown up in the war. She struggles with fear.  She has physical problems because of the fear.   When I look around me and see all of the things that just make me crazy, I have to remember what has made these people who they are. What has formed and forged them.  What forces still drive them today?  Desperate fear.  Fear of the future, fear of the past, fear of loneliness, fear that no one will love them, fear of gangs and violence, fear of abuse, fear that they won’t eat the next day.  With so much fear, it is no wonder young girls seek solace in a knight in shining armor.  An escape that usually ends with pregnancy, abandonment, and poverty. A vicious cycle we see repeated over and over in families.  There are whole communities of homes that are full of women and children.  Where are the men?  They, too, have bought a pack of lies, and are searching for fulfillment in the next pretty young woman. 

  But, what if?  What if someone could help them to see a better way?  What if we could get a hold of these precious little girls before they so firmly believe the lies that have been handed them by Satan?  That is the question that David and I keep asking ourselves.  That is the question that keeps me awake at night.  I can hear you thinking, “What about the boys?  There are two sexes here.  What about teaching the boys NOT to prey on women, NOT to have an incorrect view of women, and their relationship to them? “ I agree with you.  The boys/men need as much attention.  And I believe that God is moving on hearts to reach the boys as well.  But, for now, our hearts are drawn to the girls.  In reality, we don’t know what that looks like.  We have been praying and seeking God fervently for direction.  We know God is calling us and our hearts are aligned and united in this.   God is beginning to show us little by little how to proceed. Before we moved to El Salvador, God spoke to our hearts through Jeremiah 33:3, and this verse became our promise and our hope.  "Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know."  We have had days of discouragement.  Days when we have struggled to see what God is doing, and things didn't make sense.  But, as we have pressed on in faith, God has been faithful to His Word, and He is showing us great and mighty things.  We know He will continue to open the way before us in our desire to minister to the beautiful people of El Salvador.