The Tears of Abuse - Elsie's Story

7^th grade Elsie has a smile that lights up her entire face.  She is so beautiful and so full of joy. But not today.  Today her face is buried in her hands as she sobs – unable to hold back the tears.

“Pa kriye, cheri,” I say, rubbing her back.  “Don’t cry, my dear.”

As tears stream down her face, she chokes out her story.

Only 6 months ago, she lived with her father – an angry, abusive man who took his anger out on his daughter.  One day in a fit of rage, he grabbed Elsie’s report card (a very important document in Haiti) and lit it on fire.  He then took her school things and broke them to pieces before throwing all of her clothes into the yard and telling her to leave and not come back.

My heart brakes for Elsie.  Such a young girl forced to grow up too fast.  Forced to find a new place to live and a way to replace her school things, despite the fact that she is living in abject poverty.  Even sadder still is the fact that this scenario is not uncommon in Haiti.

But praise the Lord this is not a story of utter despair, but rather of hope and continued healing.  As soon as Elsie’s aunt heard what had happened, she came to take Elsie away to live with her.  Elsie now lives in a safe home where she is loved.  Her aunt also continues to send her to the Kids Alive school.

Elsie is still hurting.  The memories of her father’s anger and abuse still plaque her and she still feels alone. But day by day, she is trusting in God.  As we sit in my classroom, I look her in the eyes and remind her that even though her earthly father was cruel and hurtful, she has a heavenly father who loves her, who hears her when she cries, and who always answers her prayers.

“I have already seen Him be so faithful in answering my prayers,” she tells me when her eyes have dried and she has gained her composure.

“Continue to trust.  Continue to pray.  And continue to find your hope in Him – the only one who can heal and redeem,” I say, and I know that as she does so, she will be okay.