She stood in the bathroom with a broom and cleaning supplies in her hand.  She had on the veil of the very wealthy.  It had sequins sewn on the sheer black material.  She looked like a princess.  Then I realized she was cleaning the public bathroom of the very poor bazaar region.  It smelled wonderfully clean—cleanest bathroom of the whole trip.   Putting two and two together I surmised that here was a ‘throw-a-way’ bride who had not pleased her husband , for whatever reason, so had been literally thrown out of her home.  Her parents would not accept her back into their home.  It was too much of an embarrassment and  besides they had  paid a dowry and would no longer be bothered.  So her choices were to do slavish work or become  a prostitute.  She had chosen work, the honorable thing, at least for now. 

I smiled as I paid the small bathroom pittance and asked  to take her picture.  She said yes, but would not pull the veil off.  Normally, in the bathrooms, I found the women quickly pulled the veil back to get a breath of cool air.  After the picture, she touched my arm and asked  me to wait.  Unlocking a small door with her personal belongings, she pulled out two pictures and pointed to herself in better days.  She looked like a model in western clothing.   I told her she was beautiful.  It was then she pulled back the veil and smiled.  I gently touched her face and again affirmed her beauty. And wished I could do so much more.  I could not speak much of her language, and felt so helpless.  600,000,000 women live in this darkness.  Will you pray and ask God to send  women to help.

Restricted Access Nation missionary