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.

About




Anna E. Hampton
Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your faith's genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yeshua the Messiah.
1 Peter 1:7 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
This blog is about having Better Than Gold Faith. When it comes to our faith, what can our brother, the Apostle Peter, have meant? I share more here in one my earliest posts What is Better Than Gold Faith? 

Currently I live in Minnesota with my husband Neal. I've lived and worked in the USA, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and now back in the USA again. I've been in full-time ministry for 28 years and traveled in over 70 countries. I enjoy writing and researching on an applied (practical) Theology of Risk which includes cross-cultural risk, decision making, spiritual direction, and integrating faith and emotions. 
Download Anna Hampton Bio

Family Purpose Statement
Our Purpose is to live by simple trust and confidence in Him, unflinching, unawed and undismayed by the troubles we may face, holding staunchly to our calling and enduring steadfastly with our gaze fixed on Him
 
 
 





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