Sexuality Perverted...Sexuality Redeemed

So this week I confiscated from two of my students a photo spread of two very scantily clad girls – the boys in question were 14 and 15. I had to have a few days to process – this kind of stuff makes me (literally) sick to my stomach. Two things struck me:
1) I realized that I take this type of thing VERY personally. I see it as an objectification of all women – and being a woman I see this as an objectification of me. Some might not see the logic of this extension but let me explain this with my second thought.
2) The women in the pictures were white – and this seemed to me to be even more personal. Being a white woman down here makes you a bit of a novelty. I am unable to go out without being harassed in some way – verbally or sometimes by my personal space being invaded by people that I have not allowed that liberty.

Therefore I took this whole thing even more personally because of that. This kind of stuff REALLY bothers me – Satan has done such a good job of taking something that God created beautiful and perverting it.

I am also increasingly aware of the need for my personal safety here. In the past weeks I have learned of numerous women (both Caucasian, Latino, and others) being touched inappropriately by men. The part that is the most frustrating is that this invasion of privacy usually goes unpunished because the perp gets away too fast, the woman is too taken aback to do anything, and there is simply not the legal infrastructure (both in court and in law) to hold people accountable. No wonder people here walk in fear!

Two weeks ago in Copan I had a man walk by me and as he walked by he stuck his face right into mine – about four inches from me. Then he walked away. That experience really freaked me out because I was so taken aback I did not think to do anything – and if something would have happened I would not have realized anything until it was too late. In thinking about all these experiences I have decided that I have to prepare myself and my actions BEFORE anything occurs – I envision myself doing certain things so that when the time comes to defend myself or by myself time I am prepared to do that instead of being taken aback. I have to acknowledge the reality of the situation beforehand so that when it does happen I do not feel that I am in a dream. This way reaction will precede evaluation (meaning I will act) instead of evaluation preceding reality (instead of only reacting). I think this is self-empowerment. This way even if a situation occurs I do not allow myself to become passive (the victim) but I am able to be active (have a say in my situation.)

I would like to say a small prayer and if you are reading my blog please say this prayer and sign your name or leave a prayer of your own.
“ Dear Father in Heaven, You are in control of all things – and we never should forget that. Let each of us live in the faith of your goodness rather than in fear of evil. Lord you created sexuality to be beautiful – but it has been so perverted. I pray for all people who struggle with this perversion – help it to be redeemed and conquered in the victorious name of Jesus! Amen.

\manda