Abuse and Divorce

I grew up in an abusive environment. However, when Child Protective Services stepped in and told my father that he would lose custody of his children if he could not stop, he turned his life around. He found God and what it means to be a Christian. My father ended up being a good man. Because of what I witnessed as a child, I knew what was right and what was wrong in a relationship.

Unfortunately, my knowledge did not keep me from marrying an abuser as well. I forgave him after the first dozen times; I even forgave him when he pushed me out of a moving vehicle on a busy city street. We went through counseling, but the abuse did not stop. After eighteen months, many stitches, broken bones, and the loss of a child, my ex-husband filed for divorce. I struggled with the fact that I am a Christian and divorced for several years. Although I knew if I had not divorced, I wouldn’t have survived; I still struggle with being divorced every day.

The Bible gives two acceptable reasons for divorce: the first is in the case of abandonment of a Christian by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15), and the second is if one partner is involved in a lifestyle of infidelity (Matthew 5:32). Although God allows divorce in these circumstances, He does not command it. It should be assumed that two Bible-believing Christians will not mutually agree to divorce, but will practice the forgiveness and love that God freely gives us. “'For I hate divorce!' says the Lord, the God of Israel” (Malachi 2:16).

Matthew 19:4-6 - In verse 4, "And He [Jesus] answered and said,  'Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh'? Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. "

Matthew 91:9: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

Rick Warren: Bible Doesn’t Justify Divorce for Abuse ~ According to Pastor Rick Warren the only two biblical justifications for divorce are abandonment and a physical affair. Warren recommends that the couple "separate" and "undergo counseling." Warren continues to say that divorce cause lifelong pain and is a "selfish" act.

Under Warren's philosophy, me missing work for three weeks should be dealt with by trying to work things out with my husband and being beat again before I had a chance to heal, does not warrant divorce. I know what you are all thinking, "It's your own fault for not leaving. You should have gone somewhere that you were safe." However, there were no Noah's Projects where I lived; and had I sought one out, I would be putting my family, mother, sister, infant nephew, brother, and father at risk as a potential murder victim. This man who was supposed to honor and respect me had beat me with the butt of a .22 rifle before pointing it to my temple and threatening, "I swear to God, if you ever, ever try to leave me I am going to start killing off the members of your family until you come back!" My sacrifice was my family's protection. Instead, I did stay. We underwent therapy, but the beatings would continue, most often immediately after marriage counseling sessions because I told how I felt. Warren is right about one thing, I do carry lifelong pain with me, but not from being a divorced woman. The lifelong pain is the feeling that I am not good enough; and no matter how much love I gave, it was not enough to keep me safe. The lifelong pain is that I still have nightmares and have difficulty trusting males. The pain comes from waking up in tears because the memories of the severe, and I do mean severe, abuse still tortures me. I was seventeen when I married a man that treated me like a queen, a man that I trusted, and a man that showed no signs of abusive behaviors. I felt that I loved him, but I realize now, that feeling came from wanting better for myself than what my mother had. I wanted better for my future children than what I had; and though my father had changed, I did not want to wait twenty years for a husband to do so as my mother had. If that makes me a whore, a sinner, and adulteress, then so be it.

What does God's Word say about divorce because of an abusive situation, and remarriage after that? ~ Senior Pastor, Paul LeBoutillier, believes that all forms of abuse "is a sign of unrestrained selfishness and cruelty. It is impossible to be abusive and Christ-like at the same time. Any man who claims to know and serve Christ and who abuses his family is a hypocrite of the worst possible kind." LeBoutillier continues by defining abuse as "inflicting physical harm, and/or emotional distress by using abusive language or behavior with specific intent to demean, intimidate, threaten and tear down." LeBoutillier believes that the dangers of abuse warrant the separation of the abused from the abuser. However, LeBoutillier also believes that prayer and counseling along with separation should be the legitimate action according to the standards set up by scripture. Where LeBoutillier differs from Warren is he allows for divorce when the abuser files for divorce and does not wish to change his/her abusive behavior.

Under LeBoutillier's philosophy, though it is much like Warren's, I am not at fault although I am divorced. Though LeBoutillier does call for separation and counseling as well as waiting for the abuser to change, he believes that the abused is not at fault when all attempts fail and the abuser files for divorce. Therefore, I am not considered an adulteress because my ex-husband has sinned by filing for divorce, for not loving me and respecting me, and for not behaving as a Christian should behave.

A Biblical Response to the Abused Wife ~ The U.S. Department of Justice (2000) reported that “intimate partner violence is pervasive in U.S. society” (p. 5).  Approximately 25% of women surveyed were physically assaulted and/or raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.  In a 10‑country study of domestic violence against women, the World Health Organization (2009) found that 15% to 71% of women disclosed sexual or physical violence by a partner or husband.  These statistics underscore the prevalence of intimate partner abuse, which counselors will likely encounter in their practices.  It is imperative for Christian counselors to have a biblical answer for abused wives who feel caught in the dilemma of how to obey God and yet preserve their very lives.  God’s covenantal design for marriage is broken by abuse, and Scripture does not mandate that an abused wife must remain married to an abuser; therefore, the body of Christ is called to model God’s compassion toward abused women through effective strategies designed to meet the needs of women who are trying to escape abusive relationships.

With this being said, I do not believe for a second that God wishes for His children to suffer. I do not believe that He would want a woman beaten half to death by the man who is to love, honor, and respect her to stay in that situation. I do believe that I did the right thing by waiting and trying to work it out, and I do believe that signing the papers saved my life. Sometimes, the only answer is to save yourself and find a way out.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Chris Crutcher’s novel Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a riveting novel about the pains of growing up both in a dysfunctional home and as an outsider in the teen scene. This touching story is packed full of believable characters and believable situations. It is a novel that often is considered for censorship, but is also a novel that could teach a great deal to young adults. It is a novel that can change the worlds of so many people who may need compassion and a helping hand.

For many young adults, growing up is painful, and compassion is difficult to find. According to Childhelp, an organization dedicated to meet the various needs of abused children, over three million cases of child abuse are reported each year. However, “experts estimate that the actual number of incidents of abuse and neglect is 3 times greater than reported” (Childhelp). This is a larger problem than many would like to admit, but Crutcher has done a great job bringing this issue to the forefront in this novel. Both Sarah Byrnes and Dale Thornton live with the problems, which arise from being raised in an abusive home. Sarah is a prankster who laughs at everything. Dale is a bully that passes on the abusive treatment he has received and learned from his father. They both have built up a wall between themselves and the world. Neither child has an adult they can trust, and they are both fully aware that telling what happens in their homes would only cause more trouble. As we learn more about Sarah’s father, it becomes quite clear why the child would fake a catatonic state.

Though it is hard for many people to understand why a child would rather spend time in a psychiatric hospital than their own home, people who have been in Sarah’s situation know when there is too much physical pain, a person will do almost anything to get away from it. Her situation is just as believable as every other situation in the book. Crutcher’s background as a therapist has served him well in writing this novel. Amazingly, Sarah does not pity herself the way she does the children who have the emotional and mental scarring inside; she does not believe she is like them. It is not until she writes the letter to Eric that she begins to realize that she acts tough and mean to hide her own pain. Sarah is not the only character whose true-to-life dysfunctional family is noticeable. Mark’s family, though not physically abusive, is just as dysfunctional than Sarah’s. Mark’s father pushes him so hard to be the perfect son that he makes bad decisions which leads to his suicide attempt. Though the father feels he is a good Christian man he has forgotten the words of his Messiah, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). The pressure from Mark’s father has deterred the young man from his Christian responsibility to uphold the rules set down in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, which basically says we should not fornicate. Sure Mark can spin a fine yarn as he stands upon his pulpit preaching about the sins of abortion; however, he does not seem to be able to practice what he preaches. Is this situation believable? Yes, it is common for people to fail to be able to refrain from the sins they preach against. This is seen every day in newspaper headlines across the country.

Another situation that makes the novel believable is the situation with Carver. He goes after Virgil Byrnes and ends up beating him in a questionable bout of self-defense. Many novels give the happy ending to the hero that caught the ‘bad guy,’ but Crutcher does not give the happy ending we are expecting; Carver does receive some jail time. Another unhappy ending component is that Sarah’s mom refuses to save her daughter from ongoing pain and suffering, both physical and emotional. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “Mothers are found to be the neglectful parent in 72% of neglect cases.” All of the other situations in the novel are believable as well. According to Contemporary Authors Online Chris Crutcher has said, “It is a joy to write a tale that is believable, that is real.” Crutcher goes on to state, “Working in the mental health field provides me with some unique perspectives on the human drama – how people get stuck and how they grow” (Contemporary). Crutcher’s novel Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is unique because of this perspective that he feels so fortunate to have.

Although the characters are believable and the novel is unique, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is often considered for censorship. In 2005 a mother in Westmoreland, New York wanted the novel to be pulled from the high school curriculum due to its “graphic language.” Though she took her attempt to the school board the superintendent Toni Kulak stated, “We’re going to continue to use the book because we think it’s valuable to our students” (School, 20). Though the novel does have some strong language and the issues raised in the novel may make people a bit uncomfortable and on edge, the novel is a powerful novel about the hardships many young adults face. This novel can give a teacher of young adults many opportunities for class discussion. For instance, in a school with high pregnancy rates, a sexual education teacher could use the novel as an outlet for class discussion about the effects of unprotected sex and abortion. Similarly, in a school where bullying is an issue, the teacher can use the novel to spark discussion on how Sarah must have felt when she was called “Scarface” by her peers, or how Eric must have felt when people called him “Moby” or “Fatboy.” There are many other topics for potential discussion in the novel. Censoring a novel with so much potential for molding young minds into compassionate minds would be a critical mistake.

Though Crutcher’s novel is marketed as a novel for young adults, the novel is suitable for adults. This novel is packed full of believable situations that many people can relate to. It can be used to teach adults and young adults about the hardships of growing up in an environment that they may not have experienced. It can be a tool for young adults who are experiencing such living environments to realize they need to learn to trust other adults, and not all adults are bad. Furthermore, the book can be used as a valuable tool for every high school classroom. In conclusion, this novel is a powerful novel that can change the world of many adults, both young or old.

Compassion

I must be kind and compassionate. I must follow the path that Jesus has put us on. I should give to our brothers and sisters that are in great need. I need to right all of the injustices that occur in this world, even today.  I need to help those who have been wronged, accept those who are different, equal the playing field, let go of the past, and remember who God is and what his will for us is. I personally have been changed by the lectures that I have attended.

First, I have learned how important it is for me to report any sexual abuse that students in my classroom may be experiencing. As a Christian it is important for me to remember that this sort of behavior is not acceptable within the church. In the past, people who participated in such indecent behaviors were removed from the church, not the victims. I should never treat a child poorly because they have been sexually abused.

Next, being a mother of a special needs child, I know how it feels to be unwanted, to be turned away, or glared at because my son with autism behaves as he does. I often have people respond to me in the following ways: “Isn’t he too old to act like that?, Why is your son so immature?, Don’t you think it is about time that he learned better?” etc. I do not and have never treated those who are different in the manner that my family and I have been treated. I guess this is due to being raised with an uncle with mental retardation. When I was listening to the families of children with disabilities, I broke down and cried. It was as if I Iwere speaking. Every quote put on the screen was something that my husband, sons, and I have said. For my family, it is difficult to shop, go out to eat, go to a movie, let alone go to church.  I have told my children about King David’s Kids, and they are anxious to participate.

After the lecture on children with disabilities, I felt as if I had been on an emotional rollercoaster and was unsure if I would be able to focus on Fred Asare’s speech. However, he is such a powerful speaker that his message reached my ears. I have always known that even though I live the poverty line, I am more fortunate than other people. I know I am not poor, because I know how going to bed hungry feels, which was the case when I was young. I was still fortunate because I had access to clean water. I had clothing that my mother had made, I attended school, and I did without very little. I want to help those that are half a world away. I have been looking for ways that I can cut corners to give. My heart aches for the children of Africa, and I will find away to show them God’s love.

I also learned how to forgive those that have wronged me. I have struggled in this area more than any other. Forgiveness has never come easy to me; but now that I know what forgiveness does and does not mean, it should come much easier. Before I always thought that forgiving a person meant that you Were fine with everything. Now I know it does not. Since attending this lecture, I have started talking to my sister again. I may never trust her, but talking to her is a start.

Finally, I learned that I am in a time of waiting for justice and righteousness. In the mean time, I all must live as God’s child. I should not forget my brothers and sisters. I should never forget what being a Christian truly means.

Her Wound is Incurable

Fred Asare compared Samaria and Jerusalem with the United States and Africa. There are great inequalities between the distribution of wealth and poverty, abundance and need, and joy and sorrow. The rich in abundance are crushing the poor, just as the strong are crushing the weak.

In Africa, children go to church with out clothing. In Africa, children are orphaned due to AIDS and are left with no one to care for them. Many of these children die of starvation before the age of five. Many of these children are caring for their younger siblings, and many of these children are sold into slavery and prostitution. Americans tend to be never satisfied with what they have. God will not allow us to do nothing. He will pass judgment on those that sit idly by.

Right and Wrong

At preschool age, I felt as though everything I did were wrong. I was punished severely for the most minute of actions. I clung to members of my church more than I did my family. I trusted very few people and was a fearful child, because of abuse. I barely knew my father even though he lived in the home. He worked up from sun-up to sundown. The only time I did see my father, he was drunk. My mother and father were physically fighting with one another or with others. I thought it was acceptable to fight with people because of this. My siblings and I fought all of the time and often injured each other. We had all almost literally killed one another. At the time, the only positive role models I had were those from my church.

It was not until I started elementary school that I really begun to understand right from wrong. What was acceptable behavior at school was not mirrored at home, so I did often stay confused. My siblings and I still battled, but we were all withdrawn from others. I dove into schoolwork and dedicated every bit of spare time to church activities. I learned my morals from Brother Blair, not from my family. I felt as if I could get away with more and be a kid at church, because being a child at home was wrong. Therefore, I still felt I did more wrong than good. Because I did not fully understand religion and did not have anyone at home that could explain things to me, I believed I was a sinner and would most certainly go to hell. I was still in elementary school when I began puberty. Because my father would threaten that we better not ever go through puberty, I hid my period from my family for two years. I thought I had done something wrong to cause me to get my period. Did you ever see “Carrie?” Yes, it was like that. I was told by my father that bad girls get their periods; and if you get your period, you will go to hell. I also knew that adultery was wrong and did not understand that child molestation was not adultery.

Because I had lived with the guilt for so long, I purposely did wrong things in high school. I wanted help, but could not get it. Every time I ran away, I was arrested at church. I went to my pastor for help, but he turned me in, so I felt betrayed. This confused me more than ever before, because I felt that it was right to look for salvation and sanctuary within the Lord. However, the law told me running away was a crime. At this point, I believed that no matter what I did, it was wrong.

I lost faith in church and God through my young adult years. I left home at seventeen and married a man that almost killed me and in the process caused me to lose my child. He got away with his crimes against me, so I felt that it was acceptable to allow a man to beat me. After all, this is how I was raised. I began to feel that God was punishing me for my loss of faith. I turned to drugs and alcohol though I knew it was a crime. I left my ex-husband, which went against everything I had ever been taught. In my church divorce was a sin, and in my family it was a crime. I was disowned from my family and excommunicated from my church for this. For the first time in my life, I had to find out right from wrong on my own. I married a wonderful man at 23 years old. I quit using, because of him. I started to look at my Christian values once again. This time, I did it on my own. Over the last few years, I have begun to realize what the Christian ethic looks like. I know right from wrong and know God does not cause us pain, he takes the pain away. Because I did not ever see what parenting is like, I have dove into it with blinders on. I know how poorly my parents treated me and how this hurt me. I know what they did is wrong. Therefore, I act the opposite toward my children and hope it is right.

I am almost in my middle adulthood stage. My understanding of right and wrong, now, is that the right thing to do has no victims. It may be difficult, but it hurts no one. The wrong action hurts one or many. I also am wise enough to know that governmental laws and justice are not always right. God’s laws trump all others.

Bringing Awareness to the Needs of Native Americans

Our Mission

We are a non-profit Christian group dedicated to bringing awareness to the needs of the indigenous people of the United States of America. Our goal is to help fulfill the needs of Native Americans by teaching them of the love and compassion of Jesus Christ and the Christian society. We will work on a holistic level to bring awareness of their poverty rates, education problems, health concerns, public safety problems, and environmental problems.

Poverty

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for your’s is the kingdom of God. ~ Luke 6:20

The percentage of American Natives living in poverty is higher than that of Anglo-Americans. The unemployment rate for the indigenous people of the United States is high and income levels are low.

According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau:

• Approximately one in four Native Hawaiian children is living below the poverty level. 
• Approximately 32% of American Indians and Native Alaskans live below the poverty level. 
• The unemployment rate for Native Alaskans is 14.29%. 

Because of poverty, Native Americans have a higher risk of health concerns, both physical and mental. They have educational issues, including but not limited to the loss of their heritage. Native Americans have many public safety concerns. Poverty has also caused housing problems for Native Americans. All of the problems and concerns that the indigenous people of the United States face can be tied to poverty.

This website has been designed to help you understand more about American Natives and the problems that they face. Click on the links to the left to get to the required section. If what you need assistance which is not covered in this website, please contact us. Our contact information is also on the left side of the page.

Hunger

Blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be filled. ~ Luke 6:21

Poverty and hunger go hand-in-hand with one another. Many Native American children do not have enough to eat because their families do not have the money to buy nutritious food. Though they may qualify for some government assistance, it is often not enough to take care of this very basic need.

Native American Health Care

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ~ Matthew 8:2-3

Mental Health Needs for Native Americans

According to the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, the suicide rate is for Native Americans is 1.5% higher than the national rate. Serious depressive disorders and substance abuse among the Native Elders are greater than those disorders among non-natives. Most Native elders lived during an era when they were not allowed to speak their Native language. They were not allowed to teach their children of their heritage. Native Elders were often the target of discrimination. They live with a distrust of the United States government. Substance abuse has always been acceptable in Native American culture. It is an essential part of their belief system.

Physical Health Needs for Native Americans

Only about ½ of Native Americans are offered healthcare through their employers. Those who are not, cannot afford healthcare and do not seek medical care for that reason. The rate of cancer in Native Elders is higher than in other ethnic groups. It has been speculated this problem has been caused by military testing on Native lands. The rate of illness in Native Women is higher than that of other ethnic groups. Many Native women are HIV positive. Because of their poverty rates, prostitution is a prevalent problem for native women. Most native women cannot afford proper healthcare, therefore they do not get treated for most illnesses.

Education

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom of God. ~ Mark 10:14

Education is the answer to liberate Native Americans from many problems that they face. There is government assistance for Native American schools however, they disregard teaching the heritage of the Native American youths. This loss of heritage causes a loss of cultural identity. A loss of cultural identity can lead children to become depressed, abuse substances, and join youth gangs.

Heritage (Culture, History, & Language)

If we try to preserve the Native American culture, we can help to prevent these problems. These children need to be taught their Native language in their schools. According to the W. K. Kellog Foundation, Native American youths that are taught their Native language at school do better on achievement tests. They need to be taught their history. Most Native history is handed down by word of mouth. We need to get educated people to write down Native histories before they are lost forever.

Teaching children of where they come from and who their ancestors are can give them a better sense of cultural identity. This can help to keep them interested in school, thus decreasing the drop-out rate of Native American Youths. Another way that education can be beneficial to ending the poverty levels of Native Americans is to incorporate some of the cultural rituals in the classroom. Because it is important to preserve their cultures, the classroom can be a tool to teach the children what these rituals mean, and why these rituals are important. Many of the rituals include dancing. These can be taught in lieu of physical education classes, or in conjunction with physical education classes.

Other ways to educate Native American children is to teach them to become self-sufficient. We must teach them how to care for themselves properly. Native Americans must learn the importance of healthcare. They need to be taught the damaging effects of alcohol and drugs.

We need to stress the importance of a good education to these children. Hopefully, by letting Native American children know that we believe in them, they can begin to believe in themselves. This can help to lower their dropout rates. The more educated people living on Native lands, the lower the poverty rate will be.

November Is Native American Heritage Month

Public Safety

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. ~ Luke 6:27-28

According to the Native American Times, the federal government for the United States of America does not give the Native American communities enough assistance with law enforcement. The government has recently proposed to cut funding to Indian Country. Although national crime rates have gone down, violent crime rates have gone up on Native American lands.

Youth Gangs

Due to the recent loss of cultural identity, Native youths seek a sense of belonging and identity elsewhere. The youth gangs on reservations give these young Native Americans that sense of structure and belonging. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, approximately 75% of these gang members are males and 10% are females, both under the age of 18 years old. On 40 different reservations, 75 tribes have reported gang activities. 40% of youths 13-17 years of age fear they will not live into adulthood. Most of these youths were exposed to gangs in cities and / or detention facilities. After their return to the reservations, the gang problem has spread to many other youths.

Discrimination

Indigenous Americans do not have the same rights that the rest of the nation does. They do not have anyone to represent them in business. They do not have diplomats. This leads to the exploitation of the Native Americans. There are many discrimination related crimes that are committed against Native Americans because of their lack of rights.

Substance Abuse

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Native Americans have a higher rate of substance abuse than any other ethnic group in the United States. The rate of substance abuse among Native American youths between the ages of 12 to 17 is continually on the rise.

Crime Rates

Currently the crime rates in other areas are also on the rise. Native Americans are twice as likely to be victims of violent crimes as any other ethnic group in the United States. These crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Rape – approximately 90% of Native American rape victims were raped by individuals from other ethnic groups. 
• Murder 
• Assault 
• Child abuse and neglect 
• Robbery, Theft, Larceny 

Environmental Problems

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. ~ Job 12:7-10

Flooding and Erosion in Alaska

Flooding and erosion in Alaska is a major problem that must be addressed. Because many of the Native Alaskan villages are located on the coastlines or on the shores of rivers, the Natives have to consider relocating entire villages. This ever growing problem is partly due to global warming. Because of the global warming, the landscape of Alaska continues to change. Many Alaska Natives do not qualify for federal assistance to help preserve, protect, or save their villages.

Rural Development

Native Americans continue to ask for funds to help with the rural development of their reservation lands. If they were able to get funds for such development, they could lower their unemployment rate which is higher than the national average. With a lower unemployment rate, the poverty rate could become lower. This would increase the rate of self-sufficiency for Native Americans.

Housing

Though housing has recently approved on Native American land, many Natives still live in deplorable housing. Many of their homes are overcrowded, old, and shabby. Overcrowding is a serious problem that Native Americans face. A lot of the older homes have no plumbing. Affordable housing for Indigenous people of the U. S. is difficult to find. When they do find affordable housing, an entire family may end up living in a travel trailer or shack.

Military Hazards

The U.S. military is responsible for exposing Native American lands to toxins. Most military bombing ranges, and practice ranges are located near Native American Reservations. Some of the military testing areas are now abandoned. The abandoned testing areas contain unexploded munitions including those containing nerve gas.

How Can You Help

There are many different ways an individual such as your self can help Native Americans. Here are just a few examples:

Volunteer

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother. ~ Mark 9:35

You can volunteer in a Big Brothers / Big Sisters program that specializes in indigenous youths. You can volunteer to tutor or teach at one of the reservations. You can volunteer to interview the tribal elders of their heritage and history in an effort to preserve the history of indigenous Americans. You can transcribe the interviews to give to the younger generations a written account. If you are not in an area close to Native Lands, you can volunteer with many of the various organizations that help Native Americans. Here are some examples.

Habitat World
Indians.org

Plan a Mission Trip

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ~ Matthew 25:35-36

You can contact the various tribal councils and plan a mission trip to one of the reservations. You can also join a mission trip that has been planned by clicking on the following link:

Native American Ministries Directory

Donate 

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for your’s is the kingdom of God. ~ Luke 6:20

There are many different things that you can donate to help Native Americans:

• Clothing 
• Food 
• Toys 
• Money 
• Books 
• Bibles 
• Blankets 
• Furniture 
• Toiletries 

The Faith Community’s Response to Child Sexual Abuse

More Protestant members have sexually abused children than in the Catholic Church. There is less in the clergy, but more among the members - teachers, Boy Scout leaders, Disney workers, pornographers, foster families, and yes, church leaders. Adults attending ACU who were sexually abused as children is equal to or exceeds nationwide levels. One in six men and one in four women report a history of sexual abuse. The incidence rate is only that of reported cases. If you google “child sexual abuse and the church” there are over 18,400,000 results. Googling “sex” yields more results than Jesus, 38,000,000. Many perpetrators will not abuse their children, but will abuse other children. The numbers of false allegations are less than 4% and usually revolve around a disputed custody case.

Sexual abuse includes: fondling, oral genital contact, vaginal/anal intercourse, forcible rape, exhibitionism, forcing to watch pornography or sex acts, obscene phone calls, and verbal comments. Most child sexual abuse is not discovered until at least a year after it first occurred. Normally if a child reports abuse at a young age and nothing is done, they will never report again. A child may be physically abused and neglected before the age of three is unable to retrieve the information. The typical impact of sexual abuse is post traumatic stress disorder, sexualized response – they lose their sexual innocence and may act out sexually with other children, or they may be behavioral problems and negative affectivity. If you do not report suspected child abuse, you have committed a crime, no matter who you are. Because of the increase in molestation, sexual abuse is covered widely by the media.

There are no prevention methods because the abuser is usually someone that the child trusts, and there is no psychological profile for perpetrator abuse. There are, currently, no recognized symptoms or diagnostics for child molestation. The church response was to often sweep it under the rug, don’t talk about it, and return child to their abuser. Furthermore, asking a child what happened does not work; it does no good and is actually a bit voyeuristic. Some church leaders will place the child in a meeting with the abuse, so the child, most often, will recant because of intimidation. One could easily speculate that perpetrators say they are sorry only because they have been caught, but most cannot be rehabilitated. If a child is removed from their home and put in a foster home, the child is being punished, not the perpetrator. Treatment takes years before the family should even consider reunification.

The Church’s attitude is usually tied to the word of Jesus, “forgive,” or “turn the other cheek,” “God’s will,” or “Honor your father and mother.” The church’s attitude to child sexual abuse must be changed. Presently, because of the way molestation cases are being handled by the church and the community, the child feels as if they are the perpetrator, and the abuser is the victim.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (NIV Matthew 19:14)