Somalis of East Africa and Diaspora: Recently, my “person of peace” invited me to her house to offer counseling to “Mary.” When I met her four years ago, she was full of energy despite her circumstances—having four children and living with a depressed husband who beat her. She shared that the villagers had been hurling insults at her. They would call her a madwoman while she was on her way to the market, to the point that she now believes she is one. She told me that her veil covers the tears and pain, and that it has become her best companion. She told me, “women in my faith are suffering too much and have no voice.” She asked me to pray, and I asked Jesus to heal her husband and children. As we were escorting her to get her transport back to her village, I told her that whenever she feels defeated and fearful, she should call on the Name of Jesus. I don’t know how she took it, but I asked her to give it a try.
