Case Studies

Case study 1

Precious and her family moved to Chomba Valley, and started attending a local charismatic church. As a 16 year old attending youth group, Precious met her youth pastor and future husband, Steven.

Steven, who was 22, immediately befriended her, and stayed after youth group to walk Precious home. He was extremely zealous for his church and what he thought was the Lord’s way.

Most of Precious and Steven’s courtship consisted of sitting together at church and their walks back to her house.

One year later, Steven and Precious were married. Immediately after their wedding people began to ask Precious when she was going to bear children. Steven's family and the older married women from church lectured her concerning what to eat and the importance of carrying on the family name.

As their young marriage continued, Precious noticed that Steven was coming home later each evening, and complaining of being tired from his church work and visiting others in the community. He never thanked Precious for the meals she prepared or the good house she kept. He often complained that she did not cook shima like his mother. He yelled and raised his voice at her when things were not to his liking. Precious began to get angry towards her husband and his ungratefulness.

Precious prayed to the Lord that she would conceive a child so that Steven would be happy with her again. A year had passed since their wedding and Precious had yet to become pregnant. Steven began to threaten that he would leave her if she did not bear him a child soon. He even slapped her once after an argument and told her she was an embarrassment and disappointment to him since she could not bear a child. Sadly, she began to believe this as truth.

Precious became depressed and did not visit many of her friends or family. She would often stay in the house crying, and fearful to go out and hear others gossiping about her.

Steven's family members encouraged her to see a local healer who helped women in the village conceive. Precious had never been to a healer before, and felt uneasiness in her spirit about going.

Instead of visiting the healer, Precious began to fast and pray that she would conceive. Later that month, she discovered she was pregnant! Precious was elated and told Steven first who was ecstatic. Steven then told family and church members who also celebrated. Precious was so grateful that God had answered her prayer.

Two weeks later Precious miscarried. She comes to your house in tears and does not know what to do. She is scared of telling her husband and fearful of what he might do or say. She is now contemplating going to the healer and tells you she does not understand why God gave her a baby just to take it away.

Precious believes she is a disappointment...

Case Study 2

Sarah is a 13-­‐year-­‐old girl living in Lusaka with her older sister, Leah, her brother-­‐in-­‐law, Mutale, and their 2 small sons.

She is the youngest of 9 children, and Leah is the oldest daughter in their clan.

Leah and Sarah's mother passed away shortly after Sarah was born. Leah has always believed that Sarah caused her mother's death and is possessed by evil spirits.

After their mother’s death, Leah and Sarah's father remarried and moved to a village. He thought it would be a good idea for Sarah to stay in town and live with her older sister so she could receive a better education. At the first of each month, their father wires money to Leah’s husband, Mutale, for Sarah's school and living expenses.

When Mutale receives the money he often goes and spends it on beer and spirits for he and his friends instead of paying her tuition. Because of his decision, Sarah has missed several days of school and sometimes tries to sell purses she makes to make up for her late school fees.

Sarah is very fearful of Mutale. He often yells and slaps Leah, and comes home smelling of beer. To make matters worse, Sarah has frequently caught him staring at her.

Unfortunately, after Mutale yells and hits Leah, Leah then turns around and repeats the abuse on Sarah. Leah often tells Sarah that she is evil and it was her fault that their mother died. She tells Sarah that no one wants or loves her and even their own father sent her away because he thinks she is evil. Leah beats Sarah when the clothes are not washed or when dinner is not ready on time. At night, Sarah often cries herself to sleep.

Last night, Mutale came home very late. He crept into Sarah's room smelling of beer and spoke to her in a low, scary voice. He then forced himself on Sarah and sexually assaulted her. Mutale threatened that if she told anyone he would kill her and then he quietly left her room. Sarah did not move the rest of the night for fear of his return. The next morning, she escaped the house before dawn and started walking.

Imagine you are a teacher of Sarah's and know her to be a bright, hard working student. She is always polite, but you notice lately she appears distant during class, and her grades have declined.

One day, you notice her walking down the road in a daze. You stop and ask if you can help and she then tells you the above story adding she would rather kill herself before returning to her sister’s house. Sarah confides to you that her brother-­‐in-­‐law will probably kill her for telling you about his actions, and her sister will most likely beat her and blame her for what Mutale did.

Sarah has no idea how she will make money to eat and live. She thinks her father will disown her for being defiled and no man will ever want to marry her.

She tells you she is worthless and it would be better if she died. How do you help Sarah?

Case Study 3

Mavuto was ten years old when her father abandoned her mother and her two younger sisters. He left one night never to return again. Mavuto noticed how sad her mother was by his abandonment and did not understand. Her father often beat she, her mother, and sisters. He called Mavuto a waste and frequently told her that she and her sisters should have been boys.

To make kwacha, she, her mother, and younger sisters worked hard at sewing, washing, and mending garments for others. Conversely, Mavuto’s father did not work, but often spent the family’s hard earned money on beer or even girlfriends. He came home late at night if at all, and many times he would be sick.

Frequently, she and her sisters were chased from school because their father had spent their school fees on beer.

Mavuto’s younger sisters would often cry after this, but Mavuto just became angry because she loved school. She wanted to work as a teacher one day and hated not being able to attend. Sometimes she wished and prayed her father were dead or gone so she would not miss anymore school.

Her father never attended church with the rest of her family and Mavuto was fine with this because she was embarrassed by his lifestyle and what the church members would whisper about her father when he did attend.

Because of her father’s negative example, Mavuto believed all men were trouble, and she promised God she would never marry. Therefore, Mavuto could not understand why her mother was so sad. She thought at least now they would

have money for school and food, since her father would not be there to waste it.

Mavuto was happy for a short time after her father left. While her mother was often too sad to continue to sew, wash and mend, which placed a strain yet again on their finances. Mavuto tried to help her mother more, but found it difficult to balance work, her studies, and trying to take care of her two younger sisters. In addition to her mother’s sadness, she also became ill and would be confined to bed for days on end.

About a year later, Mavuto discovered her father had died from tuberculosis. Her family was very sad and her mother was very scared. Mavuto was also sad. She felt extremely guilty that she had prayed for her father’s death and hoped that she had not caused it.

A few weeks after his death, Mavuto was confused when she saw her uncle (her fathers younger brother) and aunt with their children standing in front of her home. Mavuto noticed her mother crying and begging her aunt to reconsider. Her aunt told her mother that this was their home now because they inherited it when Mavuto’s father died. Her uncle said some very hurtful comments to Mavuto's mother and Mavuto tried to throw a rock at her uncle, only to be stopped by her mother. That day, Mavuto, her mother, and her two sisters had been put out on the street, making them homeless.

Thankfully, the family quickly moved in with her mother’s older sister. Mavuto was sad about losing her house, but was glad she still was able to attend the same school. Quickly after the move however, her mother’s health began to deteriorate, and she was unable to assist any longer with the family’s laundry/mending business and could not offer her sister (Mavuto’s aunt) any money to help with food and rent. Mavuto tried to do some of the mending, but business was declining.

Mavuto would often hear people laughing, whispering, and pointing at her mother if she was walking she and her sisters to school or church. A school mate even pushed Mavuto and told her he did not want to go to school with a girl whose mother was sick with AIDS. Some of her other classmates openly made fun of she and her sisters.

Mavuto became defensive and urged her mother to get tested so she could tell her classmates and neighbors they were wrong. But her mother refused and would not go to a doctor or healer either. She tried to reassure Mavuto her health would improve.

Yet Mavuto's mother eventually became bed-­‐ridden. Mavuto was fearful of being put out of a home again. She had heard her uncle allude to this when he was talking to her aunt late one night. He told her that her family was a strain and that his work was suffering because of his sister-­‐in-­‐law’s illness. Mavuto fell asleep crying and begging God for them to be able to stay.

Even though Mavuto loved school, she knew she needed to help her siblings and mother stay in a home. She decided she would stop going to school and help care for her mother during the day to alleviate any strain on her aunt, and then in the evening she would care for her sisters. She would also try to find work washing and mending again so that she could contribute money to her uncle.

Mavuto began to pray hard that the Lord would heal her mother. She was so fearful that He would take her mother from her because she wanted her father to die. For a short time, her mother seemed like she was getting better, making Mavuto believe her prayers were working. But then a few weeks later, her mother died.

Mavuto wept. She missed her mother deeply and she felt guilty because she thought this was her punishment for wanting her father to die. She was very sad and felt alone. Mavuto worried about now having to care for her sisters on her own.

Because of her dire circumstances, Mavuto became very angry with God. He could have kept this from happening, but it seemed he was just like men and could not be trusted. She began to believe that He was not in charge if He could let her mother, a good and kind woman, die -­‐-­‐ especially after all that had happened to her. As poor as her mother was, she often gave money to the church and helped others and this is how God repaid her. The bitterness and resentment

Mavuto felt toward God and others who had wronged she and her family began to take root and grow.

Now that her mother was gone, Mavuto felt even more pressure to make money in order for her aunt and uncle to let she and her sisters continue to live with them. Mavuto decided to enlist the help of a local witchdoctor so that her old washing and mending business would increase. She also wanted to make sure other, similar businesses did not do as well as hers. So she took what little money she had left and went to see this doctor. She had heard this man was powerful and she no longer trusted God to help her with money. Mavuto believed she needed extra help.

You teach Mavuto’s Sunday school class at church. Since her mother’s passing, you notice she has not returned to church.

While visiting a friend, you see Mavuto exiting the witch doctors back door. You decide to approach her and invite her to your house for tea. How will you help Mavuto?

Case Study 4

Loveness was a quiet girl of 14 and the oldest of five children. She was submissive, and helped often with the cooking, cleaning, and rearing of her younger siblings. Loveness’ father was an elder at the church they attended, and he provided well for his family by working at a nearby hotel, catering to foreign tourists. Her mother taught a small Sunday school class for younger children at their church, and at times Loveness helped her.

Loveness loved the Lord and attended church faithfully. She did not have her own Bible, and often wished she did, so she could read on her own. Her pastor, Matthew, frequently told his people if they just had enough faith, God would heal or help them. He also told them if they contributed more financially, God would take care of their suffering.

As a result of this teaching, Loveness would give to the church from the little she had hoping she would pass her grade 7 exams. She was very nervous because this was the second time she would take them. Although she studied hard, she was not as smart as some of her classmates. Loveness prayed God would give her more faith when she doubted her abilities to pass, and gave money to hopefully ensure this achievement.

Loveness did pass, and she was overjoyed and thanked God for this. She soon moved on to grade 8. It was in her new school that she met a young man named Timothy. Timothy paid attention to Loveness and began walking her home from school. Loveness liked Timothy, and really enjoyed the way she felt when she was with him. Timothy talked a lot about his ideas and future. He often commented on Loveness’ appearance and she believed she was in love with him.

Timothy made promises of wanting to marry Loveness, and would often pressure her into going further physically then she desired. Frequently, they would stop off at Timothy’s house on the way home because he lived with his older brother who was at work. Timothy eventually talked Loveness into having sex with him.

Loveness really thought she loved him, and did not want to lose him to another girl. She rationalized that it would be okay because they were going to get married, so she continued to sleep with Timothy. Consequently, Loveness often felt guilty at church, and prayed that she would not end up pregnant.

One morning, Loveness woke up very nauseas and sick. She knew she was pregnant because her period was late. She was very fearful of her parents’ response. She tried to tell herself that it would be okay because she and Timothy could now get married and live in his brother’s house. When Loveness told Timothy however, he immediately broke up with her. He told her the baby was probably not his, and he did not want to see Loveness anymore.

Loveness was very angry and sad. She feared telling her parents. She thought that maybe she could hide the pregnancy while she decided what to do. Loveness became even more depressed when she saw Timothy walking home another girl from school. He ignored her, and even worse, he and his friends mad fun of her and called her a prostitute. She felt awful inside. She believed the Lord was punishing her for her actions. She kept trying to hide her pregnancy, but after several months her mother sat her down and asked questions about rumors she was hearing around the community.

Loveness broke down and confessed. She told her mother about Timothy, and how she thought they would get married.

Her mother then left the room and told her father. Her father came in yelling and threatening to beat her. He told her what a disgrace she was and how she was not fit to be his daughter.

In addition to his anger as a father, he worried because he knew Loveness hid her pregnancy from the church, but continued to teach and help her mother out at Sunday School. He told her that he could lose his position as an elder because of her situation. He then called the pastor and informed him of the news.

Loveness went with her parents to meet her pastor and his wife. They told Loveness she was no longer welcome at church, and she should not attend until after she delivered. They also lectured her about the disappointment she was to both God and her parents and forbade anyone from the church to talk to her during her pregnancy. Loveness’ parents decided to remove her from school to prevent future shame on their family. Loveness cried uncontrollably.

As Loveness’ teacher, you noticed the hard work she put into her studies and were surprised when her parents pulled her from school. You decided to visit Loveness at her house the next day when her family was gone. She told you the entire story about what had happened to her in recent months. Loveness told you about the shame and disgrace she believed she brought on her family. She also explained her heartache and the rejection she felt. Loveness said she was considering running away to make it easier for her parents.

How would you help Loveness?

Case Study 5

There had been fierce fighting in Bukavu, Congo. Many had been killed, and the village had also been held hostage by many child soldiers. Amos was the pastor of a church on the outskirts of Bukavu. Many people in his congregation had been killed, and he had heard of many who were tortured and raped. The fighting got worse, so most of the town people ran from the fighting into the bush. Amos was with a large group of people, several from his congregation, and they decided to walk to where they would be safe.

As they were traveling, Amos’s wife fell sick and because there was no medicine to be found, she died. The group buried her quickly because of the ongoing fighting. It took another month of walking before they arrived in a safe location.

During the journey, more people became sick, and several died before they arrived across the border.

They were able to find some safety in a local church, and their group slept outside and inside the church. The UN began to set up a refugee camp that passed out rations and started passing out tents for those sleeping in the open. As the weeks passed, many other members of Amos’ congregation arrived. Amos continued to read the word of God to his brothers and sisters and pray and listen to their stories.

Amos was very concerned for his flock. Many of his congregation had lost loved ones, and they would not help out around the camp or go from the camp to try to find work. He found several other members drinking in the camp with those who were not believers. He saw several fights between family members and neighbors, and had heard that women were continuing to be raped in the camps. Several people kept blaming their relatives’ deaths on the lack of access to medicine. Others seemed that they had lost their minds.

Amos tried to listen and pray and encourage his congregation, but he was tired and found himself losing his temper with many of his friends.

Amos would often wake from very bad nightmares and would cry out for his wife. Afterwards, he would cry himself back to sleep. He found himself getting angry with his wife for dying and leaving him. He was also very angry with the rebels who had caused the war. He was angry with the government for not sending aid. He was angry with all of the quarrelling going on in the camp. But most of all, he was angry with God. He would find himself cursing him in his mind and questioning why this had happened. He was angry because he had faithfully served God for many years, and this is how

he felt God had repaid him. Because he didn’t show this anger openly for fear of what others would think, it would burn inside him. One night alone in his tent, he picked up his knife. He thought about stabbing himself, but quickly ruled that out. Instead, he sliced and cut on top of his legs. He felt better when he saw the blood running down. He felt instantly calmer. Amos continued doing this on evenings he was alone.

You encounter Amos while working as a volunteer with the Red Cross in the camps. You have heard that he lost his wife, and have heard from many in camp that he likes to keep to himself. He is also not reading scripture to his congregation that much any more. He comes to you with an infection in his legs, you observe the cuts, and notice they look self inflicted. What do you do?

Case Study 6

Weston and his wife Elizabeth had a very happy marriage. They had 3 children. Weston and his wife were committed Christians and had deep affection for the Lord and for others. They often were helping others in their community who were orphaned, sick, or hungry. Weston was the assistant manager of a large hotel in town. The hotel owner wanted Weston to learn more about accounting and hospitality so, he offered to send Weston to a university in Cape Town for additional training. Weston was excited about the opportunity, but very sad to be leaving his family for 3 months. His wife and children would not be able to visit due to the expense of traveling with all of the family. Weston also would not be traveling home because he would be working in a sister hotel chain on the weekend to put into place the skills he would be acquiring in his classes.

Weston missed his wife terribly. He did not believe in sex outside of marriage, and he believed that this was a sin to God. He was very lonely. He made a few friends at the school. They would often invite him to go to a tavern after training, and he would turn them down. One day he decided he would go with them. He drank a few beers with the men and started forgetting about his sadness. He was telling the men how he missed his wife. One of the men told him that he had heard that a man might go crazy if he abstains from physical contact too long. Another one of his class mates agreed and told of a story about a guy he knew in which this happened to. Weston listened intently, fear creeping into his heart.

He continued drinking. One of the men encouraged him to take advantage of his freedom with one of the women at the bar who had been eyeing him. Another friend told him his wife would never know. Emboldened by these men, and not wanting to look like a coward to his new friends. He went up to the woman at the bar, and offered to buy her a drink.

She ended up accompanying him to his hotel room for small fee. The next morning he woke up in a haze, and sickened over what he had done. The woman had left some time during the evening, and he noticed that she had taken his wallet. Angry at himself he thought this is what I deserve. He asked the Lord for forgiveness and swore he would never do that again. He promised to never at that way and that he would put this behind him. The remainder of the time he did not go out with these men, and ended up returning to his wife weeks later.

Six months passed, and Weston noticed that he started getting sick more often and could not shake a cough or a fever.

He often found himself tired at the end of a day. One day his employer sent him home from work, because he looked very ill. He ended up going to a nearby clinic and discussing with a doctor that lately he often had diarrhea, fever, headaches, nausea, and a sore throat. The doctor asked Weston if he had been tested for HIV. Weston instantly remembered the night in the hotel with the prostitute. He agreed to get tested. His results came back within 5 minutes.

He was positive. The doctor encouraged him to tell his wife and have her get tested. The doctor told him to come to the clinic the next day to get his CD 4 count.

As Westons close friend, he comes to you in tears and pours out this story.....what do you do?