Husband threatening to kill me and the children

Dear Pastor,

I am 44 years old and I have five children. I have been in an abusive marriage for as long as I can remember. My husband used to steal from people when I was pregnant with my first child.

It seems as if someone placed a curse on him, because he has been cursing and fighting me, and also fighting the children, for a long time. It got very serious recently when he was cursing in a loud voice. He told me that I should leave his place. He also threatened my children. He said he was going to chop us up. I called the police on him for the same reasons last Christmas Day, when he fought my teenage daughter. But he lied to the police and they believed him. He threatened to kill me and my children, and also accused me of cheating. Whenever he sees me on the phone, he says I am talking to a man. He waits until 4 or 5 a.m. to come into the room where my daughter and I sleep with his cutlass, and he curses me and tells me to leave his place.

From my daughter was a baby I have been begging this man for support. He has never given her a cent to attend school. I have to be working 24/7 to support my children. I am tired of this. I can't leave this house because it was the children and I who built it. He only has a refrigerator and a sofa in it, and he got them from somebody. He told us that we ought not to use them, and if we do, he would kill us.

One day, he almost chopped my son because he did not rake up someone else's yard. I am asking for help, please. I don't want my children and I to die.

C.C.

Dear C.C.,

I am trying to understand why you have remained with this man, who has constantly threatened your life, for so many years. I do not like to see couples break up, but I don't need to tell you that your life and your children's lives are in danger. Your husband is out of control, and he may just carry out his threats at any time.

You say that you cannot leave the house because it was built by your children and yourself. But you can take him to court and allow the law to take its course. He should be put out of that house. You said you went to the police station, and you have given me the name of the police station, and they did not believe you, so no action was taken. That incident should have been reported to the minister of national security.

Madam, I know that you are poor, but you need to put your case in the hands of a lawyer. You have worked hard and you deserve to live in peace. Therefore, I urge you not to take chances with your life any more. It will cost you to pay a lawyer. But just as you have worked very hard in the past to earn a living, you can do the same and have money to pay a lawyer. I will be praying for you. But please use common sense; save your life and the lives of your children.

Pastor