Blessed to Live In America.

Yesterday, I watched the Oprah show (Link). She, through video, went around the world and stepped into lives of 30-ish women, to find out how they live. What are their luxuries or greatest heartaches.

In Kuwait, natives live in posh homes and shop their days away. Their wedding gift from the government is $12,000 and their college is paid for. The only drawback is that women can't vote.

In South Korea, the women were extremely shy and reticent. Laughing softly, giggling really, covering their mouths. Their interviewer said it was really difficult to get the women to talk openly about their culture. Something like 80% of 30 year old Korean women have had plastic surgery on their face, attempting to make their eyes more round, like Western women. Being a parent is really big to them, as well.

In Iraq, the women live in fear of death. Many women do not come out of their homes for days on end because they are afraid of being shot for their existence. They have limited and regulated electricity, on two hours, off two hours. They own shotguns and know how to use them. Many are addicted to valium. No prescription is required and it costs about $.20 per bottle. The benefit of using valium is it allows them not to care about their situation.

In Cuba, divorce is rampant. By the time a woman is 30 it is not uncommon to have been divorced three times and have had four abortions (they're free). Divorce costs less than $5 (if both parties agree) and is done in front of a notary. The common wage is $23 per month, but the government covers some food, college and medical. Doctors live in the same cramped, non-private style that dancers or waiters do.

In Mexico, Oprah interviewed a woman who is a TV star. She said that it is placed upon women to be sexy, wear tight fitting skirts and high-heeled shoes. The reason for that is because if the husband strays, he can claim that his wife didn't satisfy him and therefore it's her fault that he strayed. The result is that she will get no financial support.

In Rowanda, women are recovering from the war that wiped out nearly 1 million of them 10 years ago. The woman they interviewed watched 16 of her family members get slaughtered. When it came to be her turn, they raped her repeatedly, so much so that they were too tired to kill her. It was then that she escaped. She now has a 10 year old son (from the rape) and three children (orphans from the war) that she is raising.

Oprah asked her how it was that she has been able to move forward and gain peace in her life, and look at the blessings instead of the past. Her answer was "I gave my life to Christ."