Dear Pastor,

I met a young upcoming artiste in Jamaica. On my second visit, we planned to take the relationship to the next level. We stayed together to try and get to know each other some more.

I left one large suitcase full of clothes at his house. Most of them were new as I only stayed for a short time.

I asked him to take some stuff to one of my cousins and he told me that all my clothes were stolen. When I asked him about his clothing, he said they took a pair of shoes. He does not ask me for money or anything and I make sure he does not need anything.

A few months ago, I received a call from someone saying that she is his cousin and that he was arrested and they wanted $150,000. I asked my cousin to contact the police station that he was said to be at and they said they did not have any record of him being arrested.

This is someone I was planning to get married to and I feel like he is not being totally honest with me. I want to trust him but relationships that start this way never usually last.

Pastor, your advice is anxiously awaited. Thank you.

M.M., USA

Dear M.M.,

I am afraid I cannot encourage you to continue in this relationship. And I wouldn't even encourage you to contact him or anyone of his relatives whenever you return to Jamaica.

Pastor