Background
Some people are moved by the unfortunate plight of women who have been abandoned because of their faith in Christ. Others, like my wife Nolin, are genuinely concerned about older people and widows. Still, others are eager to help with the urgent needs of innocent children. In contrast, others, like myself, are particularly touched by the needs of God’s servants, the preachers, pastors, church planters, and their church members who suffer for His name. Recently, we have also seen a surge among those interested, not just in giving but also in alleviating future needs by providing start-up funds for small businesses. It is incredible how the Lord designed us so that different needs move different people. It is a blessing when the glory can go to Christ by meeting any of these needs.
No matter your area of interest, the following short story will touch your heart, burden and bless you, and allow you to both pray for and help the type of “ministry” God has placed in your heart.
On July 4, while in Honduras, I rose in the morning to find this email from one of our three regional directors in the State of Andhra Pradesh. This brother, Pastor Rao, has a strong church that starts others and a Bible Institute to train pastors, church planters, and workers. In addition, he has feeding centers and orphan works. He also visits the neighboring state of Odissa, where Christianity is despised. Believers are often beaten, burned, or cast out of their villages and forced to live in the jungle without food, water, shelter, or protection. They are subject to continuous persecution from those who cast them out and from the dangers of the local wildlife, including cobras, bears, and tigers.
Pastor Rao truly has an expansive and exceptional ministry. One interesting branch of his ministry tree is their Sewing School, which accepts and trains ladies, particularly widows and those abandoned by their husbands or families because of their faith in Christ. He provides them with a sewing machine for their training and then, upon graduation, gifts it to them so they can have a source of income. This story is about one such young mother whose husband cast her out of their home when she accepted Christ. He wrote in his introduction…
I am sharing a critical story from our sewing school with you, so please go through it and pray. As I mentioned, we will need money for 40 sewing machines by October, as I plan to visit Orissa in November. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
The need
Today, I am sharing the story of Miss Bhavani, a 26-year-old young woman. Bhavani was 15 years old when she was married (a typical Indian arranged marriage), but her life was not so happy as her husband gave her a hard time with many issues. Long story short, Bhavani learned about our sewing school and asked to join. At first, her primary goal was to know more about Jesus. Still, because of her family’s Hindu background, they would not permit her to attend church services. So, Bhavani took permission from her father-in-law to join the sewing school in 2016. She was so happy the first time she stepped into the church because her desire was somehow fulfilled. (She aimed to learn about Christ. By attending classes, she heard the gospel almost every day and other Bible stories and doctrines). When Bhavani was 17 years old, she came to talk to me regarding her health issues. The doctor had confirmed that the size of her uterus was small, and it was not possible for her to have children. For two years, she was so upset, discouraged, and disappointed. One day, having learned about the doctrine of faith, she made up her mind that with God, everything is possible. She waited for the right opportunity to place her pain in God’s courtyard (hands).
Our sewing school gives excellent training to women, and along with the training, we also engage the students with spiritual development and health classes. Bhavani’s life took a remarkable turn when, during an examination, she learned that God had miraculously opened her womb. There was great joy in her family and our church. We had all fasted for 40 days for her healing. Unfortunately, later, in the 7th month, she delivered a premature baby girl, and we named her Tamar. The doctor suggested that it would not be easy for Tamar to survive, but God sustained her life, and all the organs in her body were perfect and healthy. Bhavani’s mother, Lakshmi, was so happy that God blessed her daughter with a baby girl that she accepted Jesus as her Savior, was baptized, and joined our church.
God remembered Bhavani again when, two years later, she gave birth to another baby girl named Ramya. Still, Bhavani’s husband, as a devout Hindu, was increasingly unhappy with Bhavani’s faith in Jesus Christ, so he abandoned her. Now, Bhavani works in a shopping mall as a salesgirl; her mother takes care of Ramya, and her mother-in-law takes care of Tamar.
Here is the situation with the two little girls: Tamar has an ear issue, and Ramya has a speaking issue. Recently, we took them to the hospital, and the doctors suggested surgeries to resolve their problems. Tamar needs an eardrum operation and a hearing machine, which can cost up to $1715. Ramya’s operation may cost up to $2571. Please pray for the funds for these two operations. (The combined medical costs are expected to be $4,286.)
The other issue that remains
Pastor Rao has requested funds to purchase 40 machines for this new class and allow them to jumpstart their careers with additional sewing supplies. (The total needed is $8,171.) This number is needed because they have 40 ladies, like Bhavani, who are eager to follow Christ and must have a source of income to survive. Having a machine will enable them to take in work at home while they care for their children. Most clothes in India are hand-made, not store-bought, so a skilled seamstress has the security of regular customers. The coins they can earn daily will be enough to pay for their rent, clothing, and food. Without a machine, they are left with a worthless skill. This is an opportunity for us to help our Sisters in Christ who have lost their husbands and security because of their faith in Christ.
The two needs combined are $12,457. You can donate below or mail in a check and designate it to “Sewing School.”
