At Tirzah, it has always been important to us to give voice to the women around the world.  To equip you to be a voice for girls around the world who may not have one, and to do so from an informed perspective rooted in Scripture. 

Right now, the world is watching Afghanistan.  For those who are not aware, there is a group called the Taliban who has taken over Afghanistan.  The Taliban is an extreme religious group who believe they are doing this for their god.  After 20 years in country, the United States chose to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan, but planned to leave most of the U.S. military equipment to the Afghani army.  As soon as this started to occur, the Taliban took over.  Now, people in Afghanistan who want to flee the extremist regime are trapped in the country since the Taliban controls all the borders and major cities. After days of massive evacuations, the U.S. completed their evacuation efforts on August 31, after flying out over 100,000 people, both Afghans and Americans.  This is a brief, high-level summary of the situation and how you can help. 

How did this happen?

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, Osama bin Laden became a real and active threat to the world.  As a result, U.S. troops were placed in Afghanistan to capture and take down Osama bin Laden.  The U.S. military accomplished this, and at that point chose to stay and help Afghanistan, a country that had seen many years of terrorism, primarily because of two extreme terrorist groups: Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.  The United States thought it could equip the Afghanistan army to protect themselves and their citizens against these groups.

To learn more about what happened in Afghanistan in the last 20 years, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction published a report titled, “Lessons From Twenty Years of Afghanistan Reconstruction,” that breaks down the lessons learned that potentially lead us to this point today.  Here are the highlights:

• Lesson 1: Strategy.  The United States never implemented a full strategy.  Part of the problem was the US was thrown into Afghanistan without fully understanding the country.  Coming up with a solution for something you don’t understand and trying to utilize your traditions is not a recipe for success.

• Lesson 2: Timelines.  The United States thought they could do a quick fix for reconstruction.  Twenty years later, they have learned that was not the case.

• Lesson 3: Sustainability.  The United States were trying solutions that were not succeeding long term.

• Lesson 4: Personnel.  They did not find and equip the right people for the job.

• Lesson 5: Insecurity.  Terrorists groups were still ensuring intimidation among the general citizens making them feel unsafe to move forward with the plans the US made.

• Lesson 6: Context.  A key rule of missions is to learn the culture, language, and people of a nation.  This should have been considered in the midst of reconstructing Afghanistan.

• Lesson 7: Monitoring and evaluation.  The United States started the project, but did not always take time to reflect to see progress or what could be different.

What is happening to the girls?

I am a huge fan of Jennie Allen.  She has an amazing podcast where she covers a variety of topics.  Recently, she did a special “What’s happening in Afghanistan?” episode with an underground pastor currently on the ground in the Middle East.  The most horrific piece to me was hearing what is occurring to the girls.  They are being subjected to horrific conditions:

• The Taliban is requiring an X be put above the door for any homes that have girls.  If they come in and find a girl with no X on the door, they will slaughter everyone

• The Taliban is taking girls and women as “prizes” for conquering

• Girls are subjected to rape and degradation

• Some girls may be used as suicide bombers

• After the Taliban finishes using girls, they often sell them into the human trafficking industry

How can you help?

Anyone who knows me in person, knows that I cannot stand when people want to talk about problems but are never willing to do something about it.  This is a hard situation and going to Afghanistan right now to help is not a plausible solution.  Also, please do not rush to give out money to people asking for contributions to help.  At this time, I would not trust these groups - unless they are groups you have contributed to before who have verified connections and involvement on the ground in Afghanistan.  If you have more solutions or know of reliable sources to help in Afghanistan, please comment below! 

In the meantime, here are the solutions I have at this time from my personal experience:

1. Join me and other ladies here at Tirzah praying for the next month daily for Afghanistan. Here are a few things to include in your prayers:

   • Pray for salvations

   • Pray for God’s protection

   • Pray for wisdom

   • Pray for fellowship for believers

   • Pray for safe passage out

   • Pray for Christians trying to help in this region                      

2. Do not watch porn and discourage others from doing so!  This might sound like a crazy connection, but if porn is something you or someone you know struggles with - let me explain: Porn can utilize trafficked girls, and now the Taliban has an entire industry to sell these Afghani girls to once they are finished using them. 

3. See where you can contribute locally. The United States is accepting high amounts of Afghani refugees in a variety of states.  Check to see whether or not your state is accepting refugees.  In Wisconsin, we have people coming to Fort McCoy.  I also know there is a Mosque and an Islamic center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Both of these places have actually invited me in before and I was able to learn more about these cultures.  Right now, the Afghani refugees are likely feeling devastated for their home country and the people they left behind.  Don’t let fear or lack of understanding keep you from going to these refugee communities (respectfully) and bringing appropriate gifts or your help.  Right now, these refugees are suffering in the unfamiliar and you have the hope of Jesus Christ, which is what they need most.  Be that comforting presence and a witness to them of the power of the Holy Spirit.

This article is a mere summary of a complicated global issue. As always, we encourage you to do your own research into these issues from a variety of reputable and reliable sources, and not only those that agree with your political views, because all of this goes beyond politics. This is a human rights issue, and it is likely not going to go away overnight, even if something else will eventually take over the headlines in the news. Don’t just pay attention when the rest of the world is calling out loudly in protest and it’s easy to speak up and show support. If these recent events have sparked something in you, keep learning and helping, however you can in the sphere of influence God has given you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alycia Marie is a free-spirited wanderer learning to find roots. She currently resides in Milwaukee and serves the community of southeastern Wisconsin. You can typically find her outdoors, as long as it’s warm, hanging out with family/close friends and meeting soon-to-not-be strangers. In her spare time, she writes, drinks chai tea, and builds non-profits, homes, families, and people. Some people like to call it missions. She prefers well-digging.