Ludmira

She didn't know to consider that maybe she might have rights. It was a foreign thought. The man had paid her father. She went with him. Every woman was beaten. That's how you make room in paradise; get enough beatings. It might make up for being born female. 

And of course he had other women. He was a man. But when her two sons were grown this word came out: Divorce. He was divorcing her. Being wealthy, he waved a hand a bestowed a house in a gated community upon her and left. She knew nothing about how to leave the house, go shopping, spend money, or even that there were such things as bills for utilities. She had never been invited into a relationship with this man. Neither had she ever interacted with anyone outside of the circle of women he designated could come to the house, and the family. 

Fortunately, one of her new neighbors noticed her.  Her name was Meena and she came over with a tray of cookies and introduced herself. Ludmira was curious. This woman was confident, had no male escort, and laughed freely. Cautiously, Ludmira asked where she lived. It was right across the street. That evening she stood by the window and watched Meena's house. A man came and went. Older children did too. There was laughter, people stood outside and talked. Children played on the street. She was captivated. 

A few days later Meena knocked again. "Sorry to bother you," she said, "But I noticed you don't have a car, would you like to go shopping with me? I'm heading into town." Ludmira was stunned. She thought a second, smiled, and agreed. By the time they had been at the store for an hour Meena noticed that Ludmira didn't read, and had no idea how to tell the price of anything. She showed her a few things, respecting her new friend in the process. She invited her for coffee at a shop out front afterwards. Ludmira was exhausted. So many choices. So much to consider. But she accepted gratefully. 

The story came out slowly. Gradually Meena understood. And they became friends. Meena took the time, and explained literacy and bills to Ludmira. She told her that, being alone, she would need to know certain things, and that she not only had the right to learn them, she needed to know them to protect herself. Eventually Ludmira realized that, although she had a home, she had no income, and no access to this man who had divorced her. She needed a way to pay for the heat and water. Meena's response was that there were actually laws that made him responsible to provide alimony. It turned out that Meena was a lawyer, and she took on Ludmira's case. 

But when the former husband was summoned, his response was to threaten violence again. He began scare tactics, calls, showing up at night outside, banging on the door and disappearing. Ludmira was unnerved. She told Meena she should stop the case. Someone would get hurt. 

That's when Meena sat down with her and told her about God. She explained how she belonged to a group of people who cared about each other in a family called church. God cared about Ludmira and was working through his people to help her get justice. She suggested that Ludmira move across town to a friend's house until the case was finished, to protect her. Meena's husband placed video cameras around Ludmira's property to catch the actions of her former husband on film.  And they also invited her to church. 

Ludmira loved God from the first moment she got introduced. So many things fell into place in her mind, spirit, heart and emotions. She gave her life to Jesus and immediately began praying about the situation. She saw puzzle pieces come together. Within a week she got invited into a circle of women making jewelry for their income. This was temporary, to carry her through until she got her alimony. She learned from Meena that the judge taking her case was the best in town.  And when the case went to court, she got full justice. At the advise of Meena and her husband, she put the house on the market and took the money and moved to a new district of town, close to church. She started taking classes at the college, and began working. 

Ludmira is a confident counsellor now. She volunteers at her church, and helps women who are escaping domestic abuse. Often one of them will stay with her for a while. She understands their confusion and fears. Soon she has them plugged in with the jewelry program, and from there to life skills. And having overcome, she is confident now herself. And so, so thankful!!