It was the small still voice that led me to choosing a route that would take me to India. I’ve been expectant for the Lord to show what He had in store for me in this beautiful country. So quickly I fell in love with the people that make up the intricate culture of India. I love the smell of curry in the morning, the image of chapati being kneaded and rolled, the sound of honking vehicles in traffic, the ringing of children singing for morning prayer, and the distinct voice of a woman caring for her family.
This woman’s voice has seeped into my heart. It’s a voice of love and passion. It’s a voice that boldly yet humbly declares that she is the matriarch whose servant heart reflects that of Jesus. She is the woman that the Lord wanted me to meet.
For safety reasons, I won’t disclose her name. But for the sake of clarity I will refer to her as Patricia. Patricia is only 37 years old but moves with the wisdom of experience. She’s devoted to a husband who reciprocates love. She has eyes telling a story of compassion and grace.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27).
This was the verse that gave Patricia a revelation of what God wanted to do with her life.
The compassion of Jesus moved her to care for five orphan girls that she calls her own. She welcomed in the widows from her family. And opened the doors of her home even wider to women in the community who have no children or husband to care for them.
In a short time, Patricia has already taught me lifelong lessons. Enduring persecution is one of them. The second is how to serve one another in love. There’s nothing vain about it. There’s no ulterior motive. There’s only genuine love that’s felt through her embrace, her prayers to God, and her joyful smile.
The fruits of her labor: a generation of women who love and serve the Lord. She’s a warrior for the Kingdom who went against the grain to walk through the hard and narrow path that leads to life.
On January 22nd I am turning 32 years old. I hope one day people can say the same about me, that I lived serving others with complete humility. I don’t want my dream to end at what’s easy. I want arms like Jesus that open wide and embrace deeply the lost and broken-hearted.
I’m reading a book called “The Color of Grace” by Bethany Williams and it says, “What does is feel like to be orphaned? Could we ever put a name to the feeling of belonging to no one? Eventually I realized that these children do belong to someone. They belong to God. And if they belong to God, then they belong to all of us.”
This year, for my birthday wish I’m praying that He moves your heart to make donations that will help our five young orphan girls continue go to school. Donations can also help provide for the widows that live in Patricia’s home. Any amount will make a difference. To donate, please use Venmo or CashApp and send through my User ID: @GiseleMarie
