Psalm 9:7-9
"The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
276 girls were kidnapped. They were just taken from school. I'm sad and I am angry. I'm really, really angry actually. I'm angry at the injustice and pain and hurt. How does this happen? Since I heard about the incident I've watched countless news stories and read numerous stories. I cannot imagine what these girls or their families are going through. The thought of it makes me sick and repeatedly brings me to tears. The abductors, Boko Haram, are an Islamic group that has been in Nigeria since 2009. Their name literally means, "Western education is sinful." These girls were taken simply because they were getting an education. Under Boko Haram's version of Sharia law, women should be at home raising children and looking after their husbands, not at school learning to read and write. The reports say that the many terrorists raided the girls' school in the middle of the night, posing as soldiers. After a gunfight with security guards, they herded the girls into vehicles and drove off into the forest. As they made their escape, the militants burned the school to the ground. This story has changed my perspective on life and school. During finals week most students are tired, stressed, worn down, and sick of school. I don't know how many times I've heard, "I'm just so sick of school." or "I hate school." And I'm guilty of this too. But how fortunate am I that I get to go to any school of my choosing? I am encouraged and empowered to chase my dreams, no matter what they may be and this is not the case for too many young girls out there. Simply because of their gender, women around the world are abused and oppressed. This story has made me look at school a little differently and be a little more thankful for the opportunities in front of me.
This is also a chilling reminder of how real slavery is...today and all around the world. Recently, the leader of Boko Haram announced his plans to sell the girls in the market. One report said that many of the girls could be sold as wives for as little as $12. TWELVE DOLLARS. I spend $12 on dinner when I go out to eat and that's what these girls are being sold for?! No one should ever be sold. No one should ever be treated like an object rather than a beautiful sister and daughter. This is not okay. This story breaks my heart, and I feel a little helpless but once again we can pray for these girls. We can pray for the abductors. We can pray for the families. We can pray they are found and we can continue to be a voice for these 276 girls, but also the other millions around the world whose stories aren't being told on the news. #BringBackOurGirls
http://abcnews.go.com/International/Nigeria_Kidnapping/
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/06/world/africa/nigeria-abductions-why-it-matters/
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