Doska

I live in a country where it is ok to beat your wife into
submission. Wives are supposed to listen and follow their husband. So as the
Africans may think, why not use violence? While women get abuse to almost
death, the African people ignore.

 

It was hospital ministry week. We would pray and encourage
those who are in the hospital. I joined the group of Sam (our
translator), Megan and David. We were going to visit some ladies
that Megan met yesterday. After meeting all her friends we made our way around
the room to pray for the others.

 

 

We were praying for the last lady when I saw another woman
come in. She was wearing the traditional skirt wrap, which was just an African
print piece of fabric. Her shirt was a beige striped, collared button up. It
was blood stained and torn so much that I could see her
bra and fragile skin. Her hair was braided and her face was distressed.

 

She had just arrived.

Her husband beat her. Almost to death.

 

 My heart broke for her. Why do people use their bare hands
to beat people? We learned Doska’s story. She is a Christian while her
husband isn’t. Her husband doesn’t provide for the family of four. So she is a
seamstress in order to make money for the family. But her husband doesn’t like
that so he broke her sewing machine and beat her. Her hips are possibly broken
and her lips a little bloodied. She came to the hospital and decided to leave
her husband, never to return. But she has nowhere to go. Her
family doesn’t talk to her because they don’t support the unequally yoked
marriage. She is left with nothing.

 

We told her that her Savior thinks she is beautiful.
That she was fearfully and wonderfully made. That the Lord is
with her in this time and it is ok to cry. That this experience will
make her stronger. So we prayed for her and she began to sob. She mourned
this experience. She sought the Lord in this time to find comfort and rest.

 

Megan had a huge desire to be active and help her out. We
wanted to help her find some place to go when she left the hospital. After doing
research through her church and friends, she is going to stay with some people
from the church. She also needed a sewing machine so that she can get back on
her feet. Our two teams are considering buying one for her.

 

The most heartbreaking thing about this story is that no one
really helps these people.

 

The government, neighbors and friends
just sit back and let these things happen. There are no places
for them to go, no government programs or even Christian organizations. These
women need your help.

 

Pray for Doska and the many women trapped in
this bondage.