Dear Pastor,

Keep up the good work that you are doing to help people. Please remember me in your prayers. I had my first boyfriend when I was 19. We were dating for some timebefore he went to London. He said that he was going there to work so he could buy us a house. During that time I kept to myself and never dated anyone. I prayed and cried for him to come back. He told me whenever I needed to talk to him I should ring and hang up and he would call me back, which he did.

deposit

He came back five years after. He treated me well. He told me he was able to buy a house in London and rent it out. When he came to Jamaica, he looked at properties here. One in particular, a lady told us if we wanted it we would have had to make a deposit on it. That deposit was in the region of $500,000. He did not have all she asked for, so he asked me how much I could have loaned him, and he would reimburse me. I had $100,000, which I tried hard to save. I was a sales clerk at a wholesale and had my grandmother to take care of, plus my bills and added expenses. I loaned him $80,000 and he borrowed $100,000 from his cousin who he also promised to repay when he got back to London.

It took the cousin three years worth of calling and begging to get back his money. I still can't get mine. He changed his number and I cannot hear a word from him. His cousin has tried to help me but to no avail. I don't think I want another man. I cannot be bothered. The only reason I loaned this man my money was because he said we were going to get married and live together. I don't know what to do. I need help.

I just want God to touch someone's heart so they can help me. I work a minimum wage salary. I have to buy food for three, my grandmother, my cousin and myself, and I have bills to pay. I am so stressed out. Something has started growing in my head. I believe it is as a result of the stress. The house I live in needs to be fixed. When it rains, it leaks.

Please, advise me, pastor. Tell me what to do. I made my mistake by putting my trust in a man. How do I move on?

Mistake maker

Dear Mistake maker,

Evidently, this man has proven to be a crook. He has robbed you but he will not be blessed by Almighty God. The Bible says none should rob the poor, and you are a poor woman. If he had intentions of paying you back, he would have made himself accessible. You don't know where to contact him. Perhaps, he thinks he has got away. God knows all things and sees all things and God will fight the battle for you, regardless of how long it takes.

evidence

I am wondering whether you had any promissory note from this man assuring you he would have repaid you. You should never give anybody a loan unless you have something in writing from them. I know it's too late for that now. I am also wondering whether you gave him the money in cash or cheque, and whether you have a copy of the cheque. That would help you too. Was anybody present when you gave him the money? That person could be a valuable witness for you.

If you know his last address and telephone number, a private investigator abroad be of tremendous assistance to you. It might cost you a little money but I would suggest you talk to an attorney-at-law.

Please, don't condemn all men because there are some very honest men, both at home and abroad, asnd they don't borrow women's money and refuse to repay them.

Pastor