I enjoy walking on the paved path along the side of the beach. There is always interesting people that I encounter every time I take a walk down the beach. Clothing store merchants run out of their shops to bring in business, Indian people staring at foreigners, and cattle relaxing on the sand while enjoying the sunset. I met a lady named Lela by the beach. She initially invited us into her store to bring in business but a friendship quickly followed after a few purchases and storytelling. We began to exchange stories about life and our beliefs. She told me about her family and childhood life. She’s the youngest of 3 girls in her family. She never got the chance to meet her father because he had died a few months before she was born. She’s been told by her mother, “I want to kill you.” Here in India, women (for the most part) are mistreated and invaluable according to their caste system. It truly broke my heart to hear her degrade the value of women but even more so because God made everyone in His image. It is dishonorable to Him when we look down on His creation. A few of the girls and I began to share stories about His love for His people, explaining to her that she is beautiful and worthwhile in the eyes of Chr1$t. After a time of storytelling, we prayed healing and soul cleansing over her in His name. As we gathered our things to head out of her shop, she told us to visit her again and that we don’t need to purchase anything. She was grateful for our friendship instead. A few of the girls and I have gone back to share stories and pray over her. She picked out an anklet for me to wear and said, “a gift for you!” Lela is a precious woman and His image totally lives in her. She needs to know that and believe it. We’re all fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. There are many that have not acknowledged this fact which is why it is extremely crucial to share this awesome truth with everyone we encounter.
Pray for health and continuous unity within our team.
In His name alone,
Amy
