I am amazed at the number of students I have who have been sexually abused in their childhood. After students read my short story in Pearl Girls, they have been falling out of the woodwork. One asked me, "Do you really talk about what happened to you?" When I told her I talked about it so that I could help others face their abuse. After telling me she could never talk about anything like that, she began sobbing and admitted that her father sexually abused her when she was in the 6th grade.

Then I found myself with two students who fell into deep depression ending up in the hospital and then on medication. These young women had been holding all that ugliness inside and finally could no longer face what was done to them.

I have been asked to speak at a seminar later this month on the issue of childhood sexual abuse. When I told my students about the seminar in order that they could learn how to help others, I have been surprised about their response. Many of them will be attending, not only to hear me, but to spend the afternoon working with psychologists to learn those skills. That announcement drew several more students to me to hear my story and share their experience. I've referred several them to a Christian counselor who helped me deal with the memories and resulting phobias. They still come to visit, but I know they are getting the help earlier than I did and will most likely heal from those emotional injuries.

Another response of some the young women who have come to me is to use their abuse as an excuse for their lack of effort - attending class, doing homework, etc. They do not appreciate it when I tell them that those issues will only continue to haunt them if they continue to allow them to be crutches or obstacles to moving forward.

I never thought ahead as to what my life story would lead me into. I recognize that I do not have the professional skills of counseling, but I do pray and check in with them often. I can actually see the healing process being effective for a couple of them. This brings such joy to me.

As Paul said in Romans 8:28, God really does make the trials in our life become something good. I am not only given the right to speak from experience to these girls, I am able to show them the mighty power and love of Jesus Christ, and that He is the true Healer.