Dear Pastor,

I am an 18 year old girl who has been going through tremendous stress ever since I lost a special guy who cared about me. I was the one who ended the relationship because I fell for another guy. During my previous relationship, I had always been accused wrongfully. Every time I talk to another guy, he claims, I am cheating on him. I told him that I could not cut off my friends, whether male or female to please him because he will not be there for me all the time. One day I told him that I was moving on with my life because I was only 17 years old and I should not be going steady.

After the relationship with this guy ended, we continued to speak to each other. Last summer while on my way to country, I met another guy. I thought he was nice, but to my surprise he was very annoying. Before we departed from the bus we exchanged numbers and believe me, I have never seen him since. He would call me three to four times per day. He would plead with to see me again, but I refused. I only spoke to him over the phone. I was not interested in seeing him. He begged me more than how a destitute man would. Then he started annoying me by asking me what colour panty I was wearing, so I rejected him completely.

MORE MATURE

I realise that I am becoming more and more mature and I am turning into a young adult and I have my dreams ahead of me. I went and collected my CXC results and I was very successful. I had seven passes. I was overjoyed and wanted badly to attend sixth form, but my parents didn't care. I was the one who had to pay $8,818 to pay for my subjects before I sat them. I was the one who found the $8,000 for my graduation and ball. It has been very rough for me because I didn't get any summer job and my account is almost dry because I didn't want to go through five years of high school and not graduating.

I got the opportunity to attend sixth form because of the abolition of school fees. The fee for sixth from was $11,300. I really wanted to pay this fee before school reopened. I tried to get summer jobs, but I was unsuccessful. I was successful in three CAPE exams and I am looking forward to get three more next year to get my associate degree then head to university. I'm really wondering if the school will take me back.

I have been wooed by guys who told me that they will do anything for me and before they could ask for pleasure, I told them about my financial problems. I really don't want to accept their money and get caught up in a relationship I don't want. My boyfriend used to support me, but I don't want to go back into a relationship with a man who if a frog jumps past me, he claims the frog and I are involved.

Pastor, I am bewildered. Please give me some advice.

C.B., St Catherine, Jamaica

Dear C.B.,

Your boyfriend used to support you, but you dumped him because he was jealous. I want however to congratulate you for being successful in your CXC and CAPE exams. I hope that by now you are back in school. I am sure that the principal of your high school will try to help you.

It seems to me that you have set high goals and objectives. At least you want to enter university as soon as possible. My prayers are with you. Don't be discouraged. Keep pressing on.

Pastor