Behind the Veil:: Henna Bible Stories-The Wages of Sin

Living Behind the Veil

I'm often asked what I wear in Afghanistan and what it's like to wear a veil. It's freedom. Freedom to have a bad hair day, freedom to arrange my chadar to conceal the curve of my breasts and backside, freedom to not be an expatriate for a little while. It means freedom to hide even on the street from the Afghan men's eyes which seem to strip me naked.

When I relax my shoulders and walk less purposefully, less confidently, my eyes downcast and covered by sunglasses, I pass for an Afghan woman. I hear the men whisper in Dari, "Is she a foreigner or local woman?" I chuckle but am silent. On the street, I'm also a free target....freely exposed to groping, sexual innuendos whispered to me as a man bicycles by, free to have stones thrown at me, freely seen as no one's wife, daughter, sister, mother, friend, or boss. I step inside my gate, and remove my chapan and chadar. Now I'm someone's boss, motherhood returns to me as little steps run to greet me, and I receive a kiss from my adoring husband. Now I'm free to his loving and gentle eyes which know and enjoy my curves, free to once again be under the protective umbrella of being a wife, mother, friend, colleague, boss, niece, sister, daughter, woman.

Monday, September 21, 2020

Henna Bible Stories-The Wages of Sin

There's definitely a lot of room for me to improve my henna technique! I always got a "C" on my art projects in school. However, I'm happy to share my journey of becoming a better henna artist for a significant purpose!

Here's a sample of using Romans 6:23 from the design by Henna Stories to share the Good News from more of a shame and honor perspective.

Feel free to download these docs if you find them helpful to you.

Henna Design of Romans 6:23

Clean Copy of Notes for Romans 6:34

Anna's Notes for Romans 6:34

Video Links:

Youtube Video link