Last week I began leading a Bible study with some women at one of the orphanages. I started by telling the women that I have so much to learn from them. These women volunteered to give up their life to serve the children. They live there, feeding, bathing, and caring for each one of the children who cannot care for themselves. I see the love of Jesus in them, even in those who did not know Him as their Savior. As I watch them serving, I am reminded of the Good Samaritan. It has really made me check my own heart to see if I could do that and care for the least of these.
In this Bible study, I was not sure who knew Jesus and who did not. I felt the Spirit tell me to give the full Gospel presentation, emphasizing the fact that Jesus is the Only Way and all other idols must be given up. In this, I knew the Holy Spirit was there very strong that day. He gave me the words and direction to speak, explaining from Adam to Christ. After this, 4 women wanted to give their lives to Jesus. I cannot explain the joy that flooded my heart in that moment.
I wanted to see where they each were in their understanding and what they truly believed. So I spoke with each one of them individually (with a translator of course).
One woman has dedicated her life to the Lord, but she struggles with the culture. She knows that becoming a Christian means giving up her place in the caste system. That means the government takes away any assistance or advantages for her. In this culture, giving her life to Christ truly means picking up her cross daily and following Him. She has given her life for Jesus but please pray that she understands what it means to fully follow Him.
Another woman still wore the Hindu red dot on her forehead, which I was very curious about. I thought that she had just accepted Jesus as another god along with all of her others. In talking with her though, she explained that her husband was Hindu. She called herself a “secret Christian.” She said that she believed that Jesus is Lord and the only God. Her husband knows that she does not believe or worship his gods, but they still struggle in that. Indian culture is huge on obeying husbands. The Bible does say that, but it also commands us to love the Lord God with all our hearts. That is a difficult place to be in, stuck between obeying her husband and obeying the Lord. Her husband wants her to still wear the red dot, even though she does not attend temple with him. Outwardly, he does not want others knowing what she believes.
She said that her house had an evil spirit, so she brought the pastor to pray at their house. Her husband came home in the middle of praying, and he was upset about it. She said that the evil spirit is gone now. The woman believed it was attached to her daughter-in-law because it came when she did. Her daughter-in-law had worked at the orphanage, but when she saw the Word of God written on the wall and the name of Jesus, she fled and never came back.
Please pray that this woman is able to obey Jesus truly but still respect and love her husband.
The third woman said that she received so much peace from God. She said that Jesus erased her anxiety in her heart and gave her true calmness. Amazing!!! She said that her family is all Christians and have shared their beliefs many times. This woman came to the realization that she had been running from God for years, and this time, He won her heart. She said that she did not run anymore and that He called her to Him. Even with her young faith, she prays morning and night. I was so humbled when she said she prays for me during those times as well.
She plans on getting baptized in two months, after a Hindu wedding that she is to attend. I do not fully understand the connection, but I think it has to do with the food served at the wedding and the idols it is for. Please pray that this woman gets involved in the community of believers and grows in the Word.
The last woman I was not able to speak with, but please just pray that Jesus is in her heart and changing her.
God is doing amazing things in India! Please pray for each woman.
