I am the youngest of four girls. My entire life when I tell people I have 3 sisters 90% of people’s first response is “your poor dad”, as if he is so burdened by having only girls. People always acted as though my dad is drowning in an estrogen infested house of 5 women. I have recently come to be thankful for my father and his opinion on the matter. During the 9 months of expectancy of their fourth pregnancy, over and over people asked, “Are you hoping it’s a boy? You can finally have a son”! My loving dad’s response was always “Nope”.
I have known a lot of women who have been told a different story by their parents. A lot of father’s put their daughters down for not being a son. Sometimes it’s not necessarily stated verbally but they make it known that they wish they had that son they could take fishing or play baseball with (as if girl’s couldn’t like those things). My dad would’ve been happy either way but he knew that I would be an object of torture having 3 older sisters. They would’ve dressed me up in their clothes and made me into their life-sized doll. He has never treated me less because I was yet another female. He never treated me like a disappointment or a burden.
Here in India the women aren’t so lucky.
India is an extremely overpopulated country full of poverty and inequality. India has 18% of the world’s population within it’s boarders, a whopping 1.25 BILLION. Women are almost always seen as less across the globe but it is especially hard here. Due to the fact that families are still expected to pay a dowry when their daughters get married women are mostly seen as a financial burden. Because of this, many pregnant mothers are highly pressured to abort unborn girl babies. This is called female infanticide. This form of genocide is greatly affecting this nation. There is a huge cycle of neglect among women as well. Women are hardly educated and often very malnourished compared to men. This cycle continues for generations. These ladies are malnourished to begin with and they don’t have proper understanding of nutrition during pregnancy and lactation and their children are forced to continue in this cycle.
This month we are working with an organization called Rescue Pink. This organization is bringing awareness to this issue. We have the honor to help do home visits for women and children who will participate in various programs. Just some of the opportunities include:
after school program for girl children to get a basic education and nutritious snacks
nutrition programs for pregnant and lactating mothers & educating them on child growth and development
loans of entrepreneurship programs to teach women skills to help support their family
4. medical camps for basic health check ups
5. empowering women and their identity in christ
I love this ministry so much. It’s bringing awareness to a very important issue. It is helping empower women while also meeting a very real physical need. It’s very common for families to continue to have children until they get a boy or get a tubectomy so they can stop having girls. Home visits have been especially hard for me being the fourth daughter to a family of only females. These impoverished mothers often cry because they aren’t sure how they are going to support 2 or more girls. I wish everybody had a dad like mine who never made me feel as invaluable as the society tells the girls here.
But the truth is, they do.
Indian girls might be looked down upon and the whole world might tell them they are a burden but they have a heavenly father who says otherwise. He whispers directly to the soul: “You are altogether beautiful, my love. There is no flaw in you.”- Song of Solomon 4:7
I have been known to have pretty strong opinions on women’s rights. I hate being told I can’t do things because I am a woman. I have always been very big on women being powerful and fiercely beautiful. That’s because I know who I am and that stems from what my daddy says about me. I am lucky to have a great earthly dad but it’s more than that. I know I can do anything as a woman because I can do all things through christ who strengthens me.
My heart cries out for this nation. It seems a little daunting to have my eyes opened to such struggle and know that it won’t be fixed overnight. I want so desperately for these women to have faith in themselves and faith in a God who loves them. But “faith comes from hearing, and hearing the Word of God” Romans 10:17
So this month I am dedicated to speaking life over women. Proverbs 3:15-18 says “She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”
Whether its my team or the our ministry hosts or the women and children in the programs or even women back home I want to help them know their worth.For the girls reading this I encourage you to find out what God says about you. Men, I urge you to come along side the women in your life, whether your relationship is romantic or platonic, help build up those around you and show them they are worth something, that they are valued. God created the woman as a “helper” for the man:The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) However, being a “helper” does not imply that the woman was inferior or subservient to the man; the same Hebrew word, `ezer, translated as “helper,” is used to describe God, Himself. Women are a reflection of God. Just as equally created in his image, each a reflection of different characteristics of who he is. He has a plan and purpose for each of his children.
“You see, women have been essential to every great move of God. Yes, Moses led the Isaelites out of Egypt, but only after his mother risked her life to save him! Closer to our time, Clara Barton was instrumental in starting the Red Cross. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin put fire into people’s heart to end slavery in the United States. Rosa Parks kicked the Civil Rights movement into gear with her quiet act of courage. Eunice Kennedy Shriver created the Special Olympics. Mother Teresa inspired the world by bringing love to countless thought unlovable. And millions of other women quietly change the world every day by bringing the love of God to those around them.” ? Stasi Eldredge, Your Captivating Heart: Unveil the Beauty, Romance, and Adventure of a Woman’s Soul
I am so thankful for this opportunity to pour into the women here and help them discover their worth. God is truly at work in this country and I’m honored to be a part of it.
Thank you for all your love and support. I am almost 80% funded! In order to be fully funded I still need $3,500. My deadline is 3 weeks from today. If you are interested in supporting to help me remain on the field and continue to do God’s work you can support by clicking “support me” located at the top of the page. I wouldn’t be here without all my loving supporters so thank you again.
P.s. #girlsrule
