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RESIST THE DARKNESS The Early Years Abandoned little girls are left to wander in India's train stations. They are seen as too much of a burden for impoverished families. I know that their mothers hope that a kind stranger will take them in. Too often, they scavenge for leftover food and coins on the trains until they are sexually abused or exploited for a few rupees. Thousands are now HIV positive. Most unreached girls who have a family are seen as burdens, commodities, or as virtual slaves. They are denied protein, and become ill very young. Mortality among preschool-aged girls is higher than preschool-aged boys because girls do not receive their nutritional share. And healthcare? Are you kidding? Waste money on a girl?! Education? Not likely. A West African proverb says, "Educating a girl is like watering your neighbor's garden." A foolish investment, some say. Girls Become Wives It's true. The Taliban allows the marriage of girls as young as nine years old. Eighty percent of marriages in Afghanistan involve child brides. These are little girls. I am horrified for them, as I hope you are. A Tibetan minority tribe has a similar custom: trial marriages whereby men "try out" the girls to see who will give birth to sons. If a girl child results, both the "mother" and child are sent out of the community to live in a hovel made of animal skins. This part of the Himalayan Mountains is minus 31 F the majority of the year. They rarely survive. I have to go there. I have to let them know that they were made for better things. I have to record their stories and then come home ready to raise advocates and resources to help them. I have to resist this darkness in practical ways. Pray to Resist the Darkness Please pray for our vital initiative to give voice and help to exploited and deprived little girls. · Pray for God to provide access to girls who need our help. · Pray for God to lead us to the best local partners. · Pray for God's protection and mercies as we minister in hostile places. · Pray for God to redeem girls who feel trapped, empowering them with the Gospel, dignity, education, health and freedom. · Pray for God's provision for this work. · Pray for God's people to respond, speak up and intervene for exploited girls. |