Day Two

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DAY TWO - Blessed are those who refuse to
violate women, for they have chosen life

But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and
sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout
the night, and at dawn they let her go. (Judges 19:25)
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set
before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that
you and your children may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

The Bible text in Judges 19:22-30 tells a terrible story of gang rape. Do the
men inside the house listen to the woman's screams as they last through
the night or do they sleep? Do they pray for her or for themselves? Do they
fear that she may not make it through the night and that the gang will come
back to use them in the same way? If the gang comes knocking again,
should they offer the virgin daughter of the host in order to protect their
male honour?
Well, she was only a concubine. Not a real wife. And she's only a woman…
As terrible as the shrieks and violence during rape may be, terrifying too is
the silence often imposed on women - by others or by themselvesafterwards.
Dare we speak and name what has happened?
There is a thumping sound next door, muffled shouts and cries. My
neighbour is hitting his oldest daughter. He has been drinking. She is
pregnant. How will his sons learn that this is not the way to treat the women
in their lives?
And it's called "domestic violence" as if it were something tame. It is not.
The word "home" sounds so safe yet it can be a place of terror for many
women.
To "choose life" is to campaign against everything that treats women as
objects rather than as equal human beings. Choosing life is about longterm
work with individuals, families and societies which examines the root
causes of violence in sexism and the feelings of disempowerment.

Across generations, class, race and nations it is time to clearly say that
violence in the private sphere is also unacceptable. We have the right to be
safe in our homes. We choose life.

Questions for personal reflection

In what ways do we as individuals and societies close our ears and eyes to
domestic violence?
In what ways do you choose life and work towards a safe home for all?
Raising men’s and women’s self esteem helps overcome violence in the
private sphere, how can our effots contribute to this work?

Prayer
God, you set before us life and death
In overcoming violence in our homes
Teach us to choose life
Transform our behaviour and lead us into life in fullness
May all homes be places of safety and protection
In Jesus Christ. Amen.

LAM Highlight:

Rob had the opportunity to spend time documenting the work of a home and school in Mexico. It is a home for young girls creating a new life away from the streets. The name of this school La Esperanza (the hope).See pictures above.


Another home we have had the blessing to document is REHAB in Costa Rica. This home too is for the many women making a living on the streets.The story of one such women caused my heart to stir. She was sold into the sex trade world at age 13 by her parents. She is in her 30's now. She was forced to sell her body everyday just to pay for her existence. She has now graduated from this women's center and gained the skills and training to make a living away from all she knows (the streets). Take a moment to pray for her and the women like her all over Costa Rica.