Prayers for my friend

For those of you who don't know I used to teach english to Afghan women in the city. For many reasons I had to stop but I still visit with some of them from time to time. One of my favorites was M. She was raised in Afghanistan during the TAliban and was engaged to Mr. S at the age of 8. M told me that she thought Mr. S was her uncle (he was 20 when she was 8). His family emigrated to the United States and then had to grow a beard to get back into the country to claim his bride. They were married and moved back to the United States. She knew no english or had any idea of the freedoms we had in this country. Mr. S's family was very strict so she had to wear full head coverings even here in this country. She taught herself english by watching t.v. Unfortunately his family was so oppressive that she tried to commit suicide. Mr. S moved her to Missouri where she thrived. They had a daughter and tried to get by. He was an abusive man though and would beat her many times. I would see the bruises on her and she would just cry to me. One day she told another friend of mine that she prayed to Jesus, and then to Allah but he never stopped hurting her. "Now I don't believe in anything."

THis whole episode broke my heart. I told her that if she ever left him that I would help her and her daughter get to a safe place. Many of us offered to help her. This is such a hard thing though because she would be completely alone and would also bring shame upon her family in Afghanistan (to the point that her sisters may not be able to get married). Finally she had enough and contacted us from an abuse shelter. The police had been involved numerous times. I was so happy that she had moved to a shelter. I thought for sure that she would be safe. She had to appear in court for the charges against him. SHe told a friend of mine that she might go back to him and if she did she wouldn't be able to contact us. We've never heard from her again. I've heard rumors that she's in California again with his family. I don't know if she's alive or dead. If you think of her, please pray for her. She's been through so much already. I want the peace of God for her.

Thanks