Sleeping with my church sister's man

Dear Pastor,

Greetings to you and your staff. I read your column often and I need your advice. I also listen to your radio show and I enjoy it. I am 26 years old. I do not have any children. I grew up in a home where my father planted ganja to support us. He was not educated, but he saw to it that we went to school. I left school with seven CSEC passes.

After my father became ill, my plans to go to college didn't materialise because I have been taking care of him. I am the only girl he has. I have a boyfriend and he helps me, but I find myself not liking him anymore because he punched me in my face once and burst my lips. I am cheating on him with another guy who is married. His wife and I go to the same church, but she doesn't know that we are having a relationship.

I told my father that I didn't want my boyfriend to come to the house, but he still comes around. The guy that I am having an affair with is very reliable and when I need to get around, he takes me.

My father wants me to get married. I met another guy on a dating site. We have been talking, but I don't know how to trust him. He wants me to send him pictures of myself. And he even wants me to send nude photos, but I have not done so. I am not that type of girl. I don't know what he would do with them.

The married man has promised to give me money to go back to school now that my father is feeling much better. Do you think that I should take his money?

Please give me your advice.

L.E.,

Dear L.E.,

I am sorry to hear that your father is not doing well. But I congratulate you for doing your best to assist your father. You have denied yourself an education while taking care of your dad. You are a good young lady, and you will be blessed.

The young man with whom you have had a relationship has behaved as a fool and you should not continue to have anything with him. He has physically abused you; therefore, you shouldn't have anything more to do with him. Concerning this married man who has been assisting you, I know you need the help but I don't want to encourage this relationship. What I think you should do instead is to try your very best to get a job.

Your father's health has improved. Therefore, he might not require your full attention. So even if you would not be able to do a full-time job, you could work part-time and help yourself to go back to school.

And this man you met on this dating site is not a good man. Don't be a fool; don't send him any nude picture of yourself. He is not the type of man you would want to be your husband.

I wish you well. Let me hear from you again.

Pastor