Josh McDowell - My Friend is Struggling with...Past Sexual Abuse

Past
Sexual
Abuse

Josh McDowell&
Ed Stewart

2000 Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Scripture quotations used in this book are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McDowell, Josh.

My friend is struggling withpast sexual abuse / by
Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart.

p. cm. (Project 911 collection)

Summary: Uses the story of a teenage girl who was sexually abused by her grandfather to deal with issues related to sexual abuse and how to handle them from a Christian perspective.

ISBN 0-8499-3797-3

1. Sexually abused teenagersJuvenile literature. 2. Sexually abused teenagersReligious lifeJuvenile literature. 3. Child sexual abuseJuvenile literature. [1. Child sexual abuse. 2. Christian life.] I. Stewart, Ed. II. Title. III. Series.

HV6570 .M39 2000

362.76dc21

00-028109
CIP

Printed in the United States of America

00 01 02 03 04 05 QDT 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

W e would like to thank the following people:

David Ferguson, director of Intimate Life Ministries of Austin, Texas, has made a tremendous contribution to this collection. Davids influence, along with the principles of the Intimate Life message, is felt throughout each book in this collection. David has modeled before us how to be Gods comfort, support, and encouragement to others. We encourage you to take advantage of the seminars and resources that Intimate Life Ministries offers. (See pages 4954 for more information about how this ministry can serve you.)

Dave Bellis, my (Josh) associate of twentythree years, who labored with us to mold and shape each book in this collection. Each fictional story in all eight books of the PROJECT 911 collection was derived from the dramatic audio segments of the Youth in Crisis Resource, which Dave personally wrote. He was also responsible for the design and coordination of the entire PROJECT 911 family of resources (see pages 5558). We are so very grateful for Daves talents and involvement.

Joey Paul of Word Publishing not only believed in this entire project, but also consistently championed it throughout Word.

JOSH MCDOWELL
ED STEWART

Contents

T he little girl stiffened with fear as she heard soft footsteps coming down the hall. Alone in her grandparents darkened guest bedroom, she thought about slipping out of the bed and hiding beneath it. But hearing the doorknob slowly turn, she knew it was too late. So she pulled the covers over her head and burrowed to the bottom of the bed, hoping somehow he wouldnt find her.

She heard him step into the room. Pumpkin, its me, Grandpa, she heard him whisper. Grandma is sound asleep, so we can have our secret visit now. The little girl squeezed herself into a tight ball at the bottom of the bed, wishing she could make herself smaller, wishing she could even disappear. She didnt like Grandpas secret visits. He touched her where she didnt like being touched. But she couldnt tell anyone about the touching because Grandpa said it was a secret. Besides, she didnt want to tell anyone because she thought she would get in trouble for doing such a bad thing.

The little girl heard the bedroom door close. Come on out, Pumpkin, Grandpa whispered. She cringed as her grandfathers hands patted the covers until he found the lump at the bottom.

No secret visit, Grandpa, she said as he began slowly peeling away the covers. Please, Grandpa, no visit tonight.

But we must have our secret visit, Pumpkin, he said in a syrupy tone. His hands were reaching between the sheets to find her.

She balled up as tightly as she could. No, Grandpa, no. No, Grandpa, no. No, no

Wake up, wake up. Ann felt someone jostling her gently by the shoulder. Youre having a nightmare, Annie. Wake up. The whispering voice she heard was not her grandfathers. It sounded like Heathers voice.

After another jostle, Ann snapped fully awake with a start. Heather was shaking her, and it was dark. Ann suddenly remembered she was in a sleeping bag in her bunk at summer church camp. Heather and four other girls from church were in the cabin with her. Their adult counselor, Jenny Shaw, was there too.

Ann released a sigh of relief. She was not six years old as shed been in her terrible dream; she was fourteen now. And she was not with her grandfather; she was with her friends at camp. Yet the dream had left her heart beating rapidly, and she was drenched with sweat even in the cool, rustic mountain cabin.

Ann, are you all right? Heather whispered. You were saying, No, Grandpa, no. It sounded like you were in pain.

Ann could barely make out her friends face in the darkness. Yeah, Im all right, she said, just above a whisper. Like you said, it was just a bad dream. Im fine now.

Heather continued in a hushed tone. It sounded awful, like your grandfather was chasing you with an ax or something.

Im sorry I woke you up, Ann said, diverting attention from the dream. I hope I didnt wake up the whole cabin.

Dont worry, Heather assured her, everybody else is still sawing logs.

Ann Cassidy considered Heather Wells the best of all possible friends. Heather had been like a sisteralways there for her, always concerned. Their friendship had begun in the fifth grade when Anns mother had enrolled her in Faith Christian School. Ann had thought it odd when Mom put her in a Christian school, especially since the family did not attend church. But it worked out for the best.

In that first year at Faith, Ann met two people who became very special to her. First, she met Heather Wells in Mr. Trotters fifth-grade class. Second, she met Jesus Christ through the worship and Bible teaching in the weekly chapel service. Ann trusted Christ in October of that first year and began attending church with Heather on Sundays. They had been like sisters ever since.

So what were you dreaming about? Heather pressed with sisterly nosiness.

Ann didnt want to answer her. Shed had the same dream many times before. It always left her feeling dirty and empty, because she knew it was more than a bad dream. It was also a bad memory.

It was nothing, really, Ann said, aware that she was seriously stretching the truth. We should go back to sleep.

Are you having problems with your grandfather, Annie? Heather bored in, still whispering. Is there something you want me to pray about?

That was one of the many things Ann appreciated about Heather. Her friend prayed about everything. Grandpa Bennett died two years ago, Ann answered.

Oh, sorry. I just thought... Her words trailed off.

No problem, Ann said. Lets get back to sleep. Are we still having morning devotions together?

Of course. Out by the archery range right after breakfast.

Okay, good night, Ann whispered. And thanks.

Good night.

Ann was still awake when she heard deep, noisy breaths coming from the bunk next to hers. Heather had fallen back to sleep. I didnt exactly tellyou the truth, Heather, Ann explained silently. Idont have any problems with Grandpa now,because hes dead. But I have never told anyoneabout what Grandpa did to me. Now Im soashamed about what happened that Im afraid totell anyone. And I cant seem to get these awful