The Jamaica Star :: Tell Me Pastor :: French fried

Dear Pastor,

Last week my stepfather along with my two younger sisters (15 & 16 years) walked out on my 56 year old mother. They couldn't take the war anymore. Mama is uneducated, black and unemployed. They bought a house in a hidden country area of France and they became alcoholics. And after 22 years together he decided to walk out on her. They would curse and fight almost every day and many times they injure each other very badly. The closest transportation or town is over 50 miles from her house and she doesn't drive.

Mentally shook up.

I know that she is unhappy, depressed and mentally shook up. So I nicely advised her to go seek help from her doctor, a mental clinic or book a one way flight back to Jamaica, but she doesn't want to hear anything about that. She claims that her husband has planned to make her mad in order to get the house. Neither of them has money. They owe big money to the bank. She keeps calling me 20 times per day to cry and complain. I told her to go rest for a few weeks at the clinic and talk to the social workers there to try and find a solution to her problems. She doesn't want to take my advice but keeps playing the same record.

Called the police

Last week I called the police because she told me she just bought gas to lock up in the house and burn it down. The police told me that when they see the fire they will go. She didn't do anything. Now she just called and hung up after telling me she had swallowed 30 sleeping pills.

Pastor, I'm 39 years old and I have two young children. I'm a single mom. I have done what I can to help her. I can't take on her problems, knowing that I myself just came out the mental clinic a few months ago. I advised her to read Psalm 55. She who was a believer said she doesn't believe in God anymore.

What more must I do? I can't take her in with me because I know she will behave like a dirty Jamaican who curses bad words, fights with people, drinks rum all day etc. My duty is to protect myself and my children and I can't let her come here and mad me.

Pastor, I am out of ideas. Please, help my family.

Broken Heart, France

Dear Broken heart,

Perhaps you can call the Health Department and inform them of your mother's condition. You should also try and get your mother to see a lawyer. She needs legal advice. Sometimes people who have mental problems need love more than medication.

Pastor