Change is Worth Dying For

The women here in the Middle East are amazingly resiliant. They figure that this is just how life is here and they just cope with it. This week I've had many brief conversations about the sexual harrasement here. Its a topic that is usually never discussed, so they say. It seems I have only skimmed the surface.

These are not discussions I went looking for they just came up in conversation and then the topic moved on as quickly as it came up. Its a topic I've always been open to discuss with women whenever I've had a chance. Its in dealing with these broken areas that the light of God reaches those places and removes the shame and victimization. Its so wonderful to encourage them and see them made whole and free.

In the past I've seen God heal women from so much abuse and I've always had a heart for that. I never realized I'd have these things come up here in Egypt. I did think that if I ever did deal with anything on that level I'd have to learn quite a lot of Arabic first. Well, that is not the case apparently.

Tonite as me and a few friends walked down the crazy and very dangerous street against the speeding traffic a young man rode by on a bike and made a comment. I didn't catch everything he said so I asked the girls what he said. They wouldn't tell me but just said that it was bad. What is bad to them might just have been something lame to me, but I just let it go. They said it was bad, so it was.

I asked them, if another guy comes up on a bike and says something, do they want me to knock him over. Their eyes got very big and they said no, that if I got violent he would retaliate and I would get hurt.

I shrugged and said that it was ok and if I was killed it was ok because then he would be considered further in the wrong and it would be an issue and people would have to look at what happened and then deal with all the harrassment. They exclaimed that it wouldn't change anything, men would still make the comments (and do whatever else they do).

Yes, I said, but more and more women would get angry and fight back.

But then more and more women would die, they said.

Yes, I agreed happily, then when that happens they will need to stop and look at the situation and realize why all these women are dying, because the men are being jerks and then there is no more women. I said, its ok to die if it causes things to change.

It was humorous because the discussion was lighthearted and slightly ridiculous. Then one of the girls said yes, I am ok with dying for if it causes things to change. Inside I was shocked and felt a sudden love for her and wanted to hug her and cry. How often do you meet someone with such a spirit.

I honestly don't desire to implement this strategy to create change but it was just a point, that things need to change. How do you begin to do that? It starts with a willing spirit, the rest is up to the Lord.

The world was still going on around us as we weaved in and out of parked cars and taxis whized by us, some nearly hitting us with their side mirrors. Back to reality, and the way it is here in the Middle East.