Dear Pastor,I AM a 34-year-old Jamaican woman doing time in the United States of America for trafficking drugs. I got five years. I will be out in 2002. I am married. My reason for writing this letter is to let my husband who works in Kingston and the rest of my relatives know that I lied to them about my case. I don't know how to tell them the truth without them getting angry with me. I have been doing drugs since I began travelling to the United States.
My brother is also incarcerated for the same thing. It is not easy doing time in prison. I want my husband to know the truth. I wanted him to hear from me, but my girlfriend got to it before me. I also want him to know that I have become a lesbian. It is now two years since I have become one. I am also sleeping with the chaplain because he gives me calls to my husband. He said he loves me and wants to be with me when I get out. But I am in love with my girlfriend.
I don't have any children at home. I cry day and night. I don't know what to do about the situation that I am in. I hope when he reads this letter he would understand what I am trying to say, and will find it in his heart to forgive me for the things I have put him through. I feel that my husband has always put his children and his relatives before me. So I had to go out to support myself.
I am awaiting your fatherly advice.
J.B., Florida, U.S.A.
Dear J.B.,
Although you have given me your full name and your husband's name and where he works, I cannot divulge such information. I wouldn't want to embarrass your husband in anyway. I must tell you that I am very sorry to hear of your condition and I am speaking primarily of the position in which you have now found yourself. You broke the law; therefore, you must endure the penalty for doing so.
Trafficking in drugs is a serious offence. You are very fortunate to have been given a five year prison sentence.
You say that you are sleeping with the chaplain. How could that be? Does he come for you and take you to a motel or to his house? I doubt very much that you are speaking the truth here. The chaplain does not have the authority to take you to his house or to any motel for that matter. If I am wrong write me again and tell me what opportunity he has to be sleeping with you.
It is unfortunate that you have got involved with another woman. Two people of the same sex should not make love. You have become mixed up and you will have to come to realise that you need God's help. You will have to stop blaming people for the situation in which you have found yourself.
The truth is, you wanted to get big money quickly and so you began to deal in drugs and you got caught. You are trying to blame your husband for contributing to the predicament in which you have found yourself. You should not blame him.
When you get out of prison you will have to learn that it is better to work for an honest bread than to break the law in the quest for making big bucks. Don't worry, your husband will see your letter in this column. He will be shocked to know that you have become a lesbian. I mentioned it because you want me to do so.
I wish you well. Read your Bible and pray. From the tone of your letter, your lesbian lover may also be in prison. May God help both of you.
Pastor.
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