tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post5218292797545879877..comments2020-06-18T06:16:57.509-07:00Comments on Journey of Faith - Uganda and Beyond: EnslavedRuthie H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08300424322263964718noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post-32543456987786678842012-02-27T08:04:23.674-08:002012-02-27T08:04:23.674-08:00Bonnie, thank you for your comment and the questio...Bonnie, thank you for your comment and the questions and concerns that you raised. I and others I work with asked ourselves some of these same ones as we learned of the news last week. It is indeed a school policy that the girls must be expelled if they are found pregnant. In the case of these three girls, and I believe in most cases, the sexual activity was consensual and to allow them to remain in school would be like condoning their choice to be involved in sexual immorality. Education is a privilege here, especially for girls, but it must be a priority before the girls choose to involve themselves in other things. I personally have struggled with sending them back home, but I also believe the school policy must be upheld. Government schools do allow the girls to remain in school while still pregnant, but ours is a private Christian school, and must hold to a higher standard. I plan to maintain contact with these girls, at least by telephone as face-to-face visits may not be possible or often. One of the girls demanded "forgiveness," simply so she could return to her studies. Yet, there was no sign of remorse or repentance. Once the girls have delivered, they can return to the school, and we have had students who have done that. I hope I answered your questions. Thank you again for commenting.Ruthie H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08300424322263964718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post-14263815053444512652012-02-26T13:27:04.612-08:002012-02-26T13:27:04.612-08:00Wow Ruthie that is indeed a serious issue in the i...Wow Ruthie that is indeed a serious issue in the islands... It is such a shame that those girls see the only way out as abortion, and they don't realise what they are doing.<br /><br />One thing I don't understand though, (but I am sure there is a good explanation), is why you would expel the girls from school, because they are pregnant?? Why can't they attend up until closer to when the baby is due (if they keep it), so that they get as much schooling as they can. I don't know of any other school that would expel girls for this reason... Provide some counseling and instruction, sure, but doesn't sending them back to - where? - give them the idea that they are responsible for something they might have had no choice about (ie. if they were forced into prostitution etc). Forgiveness and support is a great encouragement to change for the better than returning them to their old life where it will probably happen again...and again.<br />I am not being critical of you Ruthie as I know you love these people and I admire your work for them. I would just like to know why the school has that policy.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02836373887166742573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post-85987082417095121482012-02-26T11:06:47.448-08:002012-02-26T11:06:47.448-08:00Thank you, Marmee! Truly we need God's wisdom ...Thank you, Marmee! Truly we need God's wisdom and grace.<br />Lauren, thank you so much for your prayers. I know it is only Christ who can redeem these young lives, and transform the parts of Ugandan culture that have fallen so far from God's ways. <br />Joanne, thank you for your comment and encouragement. Unfortunately, abortion is seen as the easy and quick answer, but the gravity, sin, and lasting consequences of it are not often discussed here.Ruthie H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08300424322263964718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post-86821223340370281742012-02-25T20:11:31.084-08:002012-02-25T20:11:31.084-08:00I truly understand what you are going through, and...I truly understand what you are going through, and I'm so sorry. I knew a variety of things similar in my part of Uganda, too. What you mentioned that no one ever brought up to me was the abortion. A heart breaker. So glad you are there to help change their understanding. And I also understand the "house" bit... saw it many times. Bless you, Dear. It takes loving people like you that can make a difference in the changes needed.caryjohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01488368153291827383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post-40743371386029894702012-02-25T10:32:28.922-08:002012-02-25T10:32:28.922-08:00What an eye-opening post, Ruthie. Culture goes th...What an eye-opening post, Ruthie. Culture goes the way of human nature--sin--without the redeeming grace of Christ! It is heartbreaking that these young ladies want to choose abortion, and I will be praying for them, but also for all the Ugandan women they represent. And your words are so true that the men need to step up to the responsibility--another thing to be praying for!Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275901948825550198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3908418862928442229.post-76969365951158926652012-02-24T14:33:26.417-08:002012-02-24T14:33:26.417-08:00Wow, Ruthie!! Some hard stuff you are dealing wit...Wow, Ruthie!! Some hard stuff you are dealing with!! May God give you wisdom to share the truth to these young ladies!!Marmeenoreply@blogger.com