The weather is beautiful today! I just returned from a sunny, warm stroll through Plaka - the old part of the city center. I Wish you could have been with me!
During the Monday outreach, I ran into the sad Nigerian girl I told you about. She said she "dealt with her problem" and is no longer pregnant. I wasn't surprised... I'm sure she couldn't find answers to some very real questions, such as, "How could she make money while she was pregnant? Where could she live? What would her pimp/trafficker say/do? Who would help her find a doctor ...or an adoption agency....or, crazier still, a way to keep the baby". I wasn't surprised at her decision, but sad nonetheless. We also found a new brothel. Actually we've recently found a lot of new brothels springing up. Athens doesn't seem to be overly concerned with safety or health codes. This new addition - completely illegal according to the "official" books - is on the 2nd floor of a building. The former window was knocked out and a door loosely hinged to the wall. A rickety staircase is propped up on the wall for customers to use (it literally rocks when you step on it!) Where is the Dep't of Public Safety!? or the Health Dep't? ....maybe the Better Business Bureau...?? Somebody should care that this is happening in their lovely city. Prostitution is just such a way of life here. I've heard even as many as 1 in 3 Greek men have visited a den of 'ill repute'...not to mention immigrants and tourists. I guess it's just easier to look the other way when a new one joins the ranks.
2 comments:
You ask a funny question Holly! Can government intervention and regulation create change? I studied this in school last quarter. The answer I found, here in the United States, is that yes government can influence public consciousness. Why Greece doesn't take those steps I don't know? I suspect that we're looking at the problem through American eyes. I'm sorry that it's so difficult. I too feel for the lost of the pregnant girl. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for her and a decision that she will think of for the rest of her life. My heart goes out to her.
Oh sweet friend. I am praying for God to continue to give you his heart while you experience this heartache. I can only imagine how hard this is on your heart. Love you and I'm praying...
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