Think back to when you were 14 years old. What did you
think about? What were your concerns? Did you go to school? Did you
have to cook all of the meals for the family? Was marriage a thought at
14 years old? Were you expected to have children the next year at age
15? And when you did have children, was
it despised if you never gave birth to boys?
Or imagine being married to a man you do not love and being told that you are
not allowed to marry your boyfriend because he is from a different caste. Imagine this. Imagine growing up in a
culture where false religion is forced on you. Or growing up in a religion
that makes you cover -up every part of your body except your eyes. Imagine
this. Imagine a culture that is so
saturated in religious confusion.
Everyone is seeking something and many are lost.
Now imagine hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first
time. Imagine your older sister telling
you that there is hope. Imagine your
sister sharing with you the Truth of the Gospel. Imagine becoming a believer in Jesus Christ
as the one and only God, but still being married to a man who worships idols. To a man who beats you because you will not
bow down to idols. Imagine the
persecution in your own home.
Now, realize this is reality.
Many of the women we have met have this story. My heart breaks and my faith is encouraged
by these people. They are bold. The believers are bold for the Gospel. This country is broken, but there is hope. These beautiful people remind me of
hope. They remind me to cast all of my
burdens on Jesus Christ. They remind me
that Yahweh is not silent. Prayer is
vital. And Father hears our cries. There is hope for this country.
