UPRISING.

This country needs good men. I noticed this almost immediately after starting ministry in India. There are so many different issues that this country is facing. But in my opinion, the root of so many of them is the men.

So many men in this country do not work. But their wives do. What do the men do? Take care of their children? No. Tend to household duties? No. Do anything productive? Not usually. Many of them drink. Many gamble. Many visit brothels. They may have other wives. Many even beat their wives because they have money problems, or because their wives do not bear boys. Or for countless other reasons.

My hope and my prayer is that God will not only send foreign men to India, but that there will be an uprising of Indian men. Men who take a stand against the way men are "supposed to be". Men who declare that gender bias is WRONG and that women are special and should be treated with respect. Men who refuse to buy girls or sell them and make fools of those who do. Men who teach their sons the proper way to treat women. Men who do not beat their wives for any reason, let alone reasons that are out of their control. Men who love Jesus and live their lives as men after his own heart.

This is my prayer for this country. And I believe that men will rise up soon. Change is coming, I can feel it.

-Alex

3 Month Goa Volunteer

Reflections

It’s a strange thing to wake up some days and expect to already be sweating, hear the quaint sound of rain bouncing off the palm trees outside, filled with the anticipation of what the day could hold only to realize I am awakening in Boone, NC with nothing but the routine or coffee, class and comfort ahead of me. Most days when this occurs, I am saddened. My heart longs to be back in the unknown, anxiously awaiting instruction from the Lord on how to spend my free moments that day. I miss the treacherous bus rides that not only made me sick from the smell of unwashed human beings, but also seemed to last far longer then they actually did. I miss the simplicity of wearing the same three articles of clothing in rotation, always covered up by my rain jacket. I miss the joy that came from the children’s faces and their sweet voices yelling, “teacha!” in hopes that I had candy hidden in my pocket. I miss walk over to *Leah’s, and the excitement in her face everyday when she saw my bible in hand to read her another story. I miss the silly accents, the unbelievable amount of cows lingering in the road, the taste of sweet-lime soda, the smiles, the faces, the joy, and the hearts of every person I met or passed on my way. I miss the way I saw the Lord work and save the lives of those people. Today however, I am not sad. Today, I am grateful.

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Last summer was my season to dwell in those circumstances with those incredible people. In that season I experienced a multitude of other seasons, all of which broke my heart and forced me to rely on Christ to mend it. I was surrounded by darkness for the majority of my day and my heart was often heavy and burdened by those around me. I learned what it feels like to truly be heartbroken and how to trust that the Lord will work if I allow Him complete control. I was my weakest and therefore allowed Him to be strong through me. Upon returning home, the Lord has continued to work in and through me in ways I didn’t know were possible. Even though I long to be back in that beautiful country, I know that my season is here now and that my mission is to share all that I have seen, learned, felt and experienced from my time in India. I am always His vessel, regardless of where in the world I am and whom I surround myself with. Today, instead of missing people, I am praying for them fervently and with shameless persistence. Today, instead of sadness consuming my spirit I am filled with joy remembering all that the Lord did and is still doing there. Today, I am grateful that He allowed me to go be His hands and feet. Today, it’s still strange to wake up in a house, walk one room over to brew coffee, take a warm shower and have a general idea of what my day will look like. Today however, I am thankful for all the Christ has done and cannot wait for the work He will do today in and through my life.

Kate

Goa Volunteer-Summer '11

*Please note: name has been changed for protection.

A Woman Named Leah

This summer the Lord provided me with the chance to love on a set of people unlike any other. He truly heard my cries and allowed me to serve Him in a country that has been on my heart for years now. India was a new world for me, and the time that I spent there impacted me in more ways then I will ever be able to explain in words. The people I got to share life with managed to change the way I think, perceive and even love. I went to to India to change lives by letting Christ love those around me well, and to share with all that I encountered the hope found in a Savior. The Lord however had bigger plans and changed my heart at the same time.

One of the many women who changed my life lived a few steps away from me. She owns a little shop on the beach that she has run since she was eight years old. This woman's name is *Leah, and her story is one that I will always carry with me:

In India, women are truly at the bottom of the totem pole. They are viewed as inferior and it is a shame to your family have female children. It is illegal for women to find out the gender of their baby before giving birth because they are likely to have an abortion upon discovering they are carrying a girl.  Leah's father passed away days before she was born and all her mother wanted was a boy to carry on the family, obviously when Leah came out it was a huge disappointment. 

Let's stop and soak that in for a minute. A beautiful daughter of the Lord is placed on this earth and everyone welcoming her into the world already hates her. Leah's mother tried to kill her the second she found out but Jesus stepped in and her uncle took her away before she was suffocated. For the next thirteen years, Leah was verbally and physically abused by her family, particularly her mom. She never experienced love, or the beauty of Christ's comfort because she didn't know who he was and no one around her cared for her. She was married to her cousin and soon became pregnant. She gave birth to Natasha at fifteen, and was immediately hated all over again. 

A short time later, she gave birth to another girl and her family lost hope in her having any boys. She was beat often by her husband, even during her pregnancies. Leah however, remembered her own childhood and vowed to love her girls with all that she had because no one else would. She is the most incredible mother to those kids and she loves them with ever ounce of her heart. During her next pregnancy, Leah was beat by her husband quite frequently because he expected another girl. One night he came to her store and beat her, left her to find a way home and took her money she had earned that day. Two days after she was brutally beat, and left behind to suffer and possibly die, she gave birth to a son, Robbie. Leah now has four children, three girls and a boy, and she gives them all that she can everyday. She loves without limits because she knows what not having love feels like. I was lucky enough to become great friends with Leah this summer, and share with her stories everyday about this Jesus guy she had heard bits and pieces about. Leah wants to believe. She wants to devote her life to a God that loves and protects her because nobody else will or wants to. Satan's hold on Leah is fear. She fears what will happen to her children and to her if she chooses to believe and tell her husband. She has no doubt he will be furious, and far from understanding or encouragement. Regardless, I pray that you all pray for Leah's salvation. I ask you to pray with shameless persistence that Christ will be strong for her and that I will be able to see her beautiful face in Heaven someday. 

Leah is an unbelievable woman who taught me to love with all that I am. She reminded me that not everyone has love, or has ever experienced it. She encouraged me to be courageous and selfless in my love for others. She taught me to be strong when the world is against me. She taught me to never give up because there will always be someone who needs love and it is the easiest gift I can give. I challenge each of you to love today with all that you are, because you never know when you will meet a Leah. You may never know a person's past, but you can change their future simply by loving them well.

Update:  Since this blog was written, Leah has become a Believer!  Many staff and volunteers have loved Leah over the years and have been able to share a part in her journey.

Kate

Goa Volunteer

written summer '11




* Please note: name has been changed for protection.

A Broken Arm

God has been teaching me so much from my time here, not only about relying on Him alone, but also about how weak we are without Him, and also about the mysterious ways in which He works. I have been amazed by Indian hospitality. When we do house visits in the afternoons, it astounds me when the people we are visiting, who having nothing at all, go out of their way to make us chai or give us crackers to eat. They give us the only food they have sometimes and it has been very hard to witness that, but also very convicting. It has opened up my eyes to the way I spend my money back home and how I use, or don't use, the resources I have to provide for others.

     There is a boy in the slum that we work that has stolen my heart. He is 8 years old.  This past week, on Tuesday, he fell off a pile of sticks and broke him arm. It is now in a makeshift cast wrapped straight between two pieces of wood. But, the crazy thing is how God is using his broken arm to bring this family to Christ. On Monday, myself and one other girl will now be tutoring him at his house with a few other children because he can't go to regular tutoring with his arm broken. His mom has just begun to trust us and the last time we visited her house she let us pray for her when the time before she had refused. I am excited to see how God will use this boy and I this summer to hopefully bring his family to Christ as they begin to trust us, and Him, more and more. To be allowed to take part in such a grand thing is humbling and definitely an adventure.

Rebecca

Short Term Volunteer-Goa

written 7/2/11

Coming Home

Today I am getting ready to come home. At times I wished this moment to come sooner. Now, I don't know why I ever felt this way - (Well, maybe because life is much more convenient in America). Time won't stop even though I want it too. It's a strange thing.


This week was full though. After being sick in bed for three days last week, I am so thankful for this. I was able to share with the women in sewing class and say my goodbyes. They are so special to me.


My favorite part of being here has to be house visits. I have learned so much about generosity and hospitality through these people. I love that if they ask you if they can make you chai and you say no, they make it anyway.


I love that if your plate is empty, they will fill it and fill it and fill it again.
They give and they give.


Today I gave the new afternoon stitching class mirrors like I had with the other classes. They found out I was leaving tomorrow and insisted on running to get me presents also.


They came back and, before I knew it, I was decked out in a new necklace, earrings, bangles, anklets, and a wallet - despite my insistance that this was not necessary.


Man, I can't contain how blessed this made me.


I am so selfish sometimes. I want to become less selfish. Although I don't think this can be done by simply having the desire to do so. I think it comes naturally by truly having others' best interests in mind. Seems as though this is the point that one named Jesus told us a long time ago.


Here, life is about community, it is about the family. Even though many times there is tension in the home, they look out for one another.


Today we went to one lady's house from class. She is so loud and crazy unlike many of the other ladies. She is hilarious. We met her mother who has diabetes and we prayed for her. After praying for her, she was saying good bye to me and tears had filled her eyes as she found out I was going to America tomorrow.  She had been blessed. I also started crying, which caused all five of us girls to tear up.
I cried with a lady I had just met on my last day in India.


It is hard to leave when some harvest is seen but mostly seeds are planted. I leave trusting the Lord to water them. This is a very humbling feeling. He tells me my work is done here for now, but this will never be separate from my life back home.


It is another part of my life and has shaped me in the way He has desired. My fear would be feeling so so far away from these people. I refuse to forget my new friends.


I shared the story of Hosea with the women today and God's love for His people. It touched my heart just to tell it because I really need to believe it too. It's so challenging to apply to my own heart. I told them my purpose was to come to share this with them just as that was Hosea's purpose.


We turn away from God so many times, but He is always patiently waiting for us to return to Him because this is what we were made for. I'm so thankful for those who have shared their hearts with me and for all I see happening here.


I am at peace, but I come home with the desire for more. I longed to see God work here, and I have. Good thing that just because I am leaving it doesn't mean the work is over.


All in all, through this trip I know that, coming back, the Lord has more of my heart. I have learned so much about relying on Him, about grace, generosity, hope, and love.


Breanna
Short Term Missionary - India

Prophetic Dreams from a Madam

It's a forty-five minute train ride and eight minute walk to get to the brothels where I would do ministry for the day. As I walked down the street my ministry contact, a dear friend, began sharing stories of the women that work at this particular brothel. Although I had been to the brothel o
nce before, there was anticipation in my spirit to see these women. 


There are about 15-20 girls at this particular brothel with two madam's who control the area. The head madam has been there for many years and the associate madam is 37 years old and had been at the brothel for 28 years; that means she was 9 years old when she was sold by her parents to the brothel. Every day the girls that work at this brothel are sold for 300 Indian Rupees ($6.50 USD) per customer. After the girls have a customer they go to the Madam's and give them the 300 Rupees; the Madam will keep 200 Rupees for herself and then give 100 Rupees ($2.22 USD) back to the girl. 

Our time with the girls started off as a normal day; we were sitting on a bed that sits outside the door talking to some of the girls before we got started with their classes for the afternoon. I was talking to one of the younger girls when the madam walked up to me and standing about two feet away from me says, "I know you." Honestly, I chuckled when she said that because I knew I had never met her in my life. After a moment's pause, she said, "You were in my dream!"


At this point I was a little bewildered but very interested in the dream. She went on to describe:


'There was a big battle that was going on. Everybody was at war and everyone was fighting. Then you  (Laura) appeared and there was this whiteness that surrounded you and we (the girls at the brothel) knew it was good. When we would come near you we were FILLED with PEACE. So, all of my girls would come to you and we would be FILLED with PEACE and the war ended."


The last thing that this madam told me was something to the effect of that I was coming back "to stay" so that they "could find peace".


I have thought about this moment with this woman every single day since the Madam told me about the dream that she had. Needless to say, by the end of her telling me this I was crying and just in awe of who God is. I know that the peace that she felt is the PEACE of Jesus and what an opportunity to share the Peace of Christ with her!


The same day, the Madam asked if she could join our classes, and hear stories of Jesus, and have prayer for herself and her family. I sat with this madam and helped her with basic math skills as she worked on her first count by coloring page waiting for our approval and just to hear that she had done a good job! 

How could I forget Your face/ When all it took was just one day/ For me to see it wasn't ordinary/ 

I could never be the same

You took my hand and led the way/ I didn't even know Your name/ But something happened deep inside me/ And I knew life would have to change

So how could I go back to life as usual?/ And how could I return to who I once was? / I just want to take Your story to the world/ 'Cause You  have shown me what it means to love

This madam taught me what it means to love. 

Laura

Volunteer - India

Mirrored Truth

Value and confidence is one area in which many women lack wherever you may live. I want the women here to know they are special, that they are beautiful and full of value.


For our story at sewing class, our desire was to share with the women that the Lord has given each of us a purpose in life along with unique gifts. I wanted to give them something tangible to remember with this message.


My teammate had the idea to buy them each a mirror, write a verse on them, and give them to the women. We decorated the small mirrors with their names, the words "you are beautiful", and Ephesians 2:10 which says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."


We tried to explain through stories that they have a purpose and God has made them specially to fulfill these things.


They were really grateful, and I hope they treasure these mirrors forever and that they feel valued. I know I am only one of the many that comes here to work with them, but it is awesome to think that all our efforts put together make a difference in their life. 


Breanna
Short Term Volunteer - India

Love is Calling YOU.

Pyaar = लव = Love

"...But the greatest of these is love."   ~   1 Corinthians 13:13

This week we've spent a lot of time looking at love, what love is 

and where love comes from. It's a word defined in so many small ways, 

but can literally change someone's world.

" My own family doesn't care about me... why do you?"

 ~ *Anne

This statement brought tears to my eyes as *Anne spoke after

telling me the tale of how she had attempted suicide earlier that

morning. Their pain is so real and so deep. *Anne's story is one

of many taking place daily here and all throughout India. These

women have lost all hope and seek the only escape they know...

They are why I am here, Bringing God's unfailing love to the 

children His heart yearns for. 

"Father break my heart for what breaks Yours, give me open 

hands and open doors, put Your light in my eyes and let me see

that my own little world is not about me..."

So often I get caught up in my own little world, my troubles, my

wants, my needs. Me. Me. Me. Living in the midst of the least

of these makes me realize my constant selfishness. My own little

world is NOT about me. This is what God is always reminding

me of, in those moments where I am hurt or upset He puts in

perspective my short comings. It is through His love that I love.

There is nothing I could give these girls without Him, it is His

hope and love they so desperately need...
                                 
                                               "So when you get the chance,

are you gonna take it?

There's a really big world at your fingertips

And you know you have the chance to change it

There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'

There's a man whose faith is dyin'

Love is calling you..."

Katie
Short Term Volunteer - India

*Please Note: Names are changed to protect the women

Greetings from Goa, India!!

     Teacher TEACHER!! choruses of this ring in our ears as we walk into the community where we work.  The smallest amount of attention you show to the children just lights up their faces and makes their day.  They just want to be able to greet you saying "Hi teacher!" and shake your hand sometimes hoping you have a small piece of candy to give them.  The other day a couple of us volunteers played soccer in the street with the boys of the community!  My FAVORITE thing so far!  The joy and laughter at having not just a soccer ball but two teachers to play with them!! :) 
     It makes me realize how much I selfishly take for granted. I could run to the store and get a soccer ball anytime. To these boys though, it is a special treat they get to enjoy for a couple hours.  Christ is teaching me to never lose the wonder of a child.  He's reminding me to appreciate and be amazed at all the small things he has created and blessed me with. What a blessing for me to be able to make these boys feel loved and included just by inviting them to join our game! 


Ella 
Short Term Volunteer - India

Making a Difference

I started volunteering with Rahab's Rope last semester for an assignment in one of my Sociology courses. Only 10 hours were required, but I have been back to visit and volunteer with the store ever since. I used to care a lot about sex trafficking but became increasingly discouraged by the issue and felt helpless. However, at Rahab's Rope I can see how I am personally and directly affecting the lives of women trafficked and prostituted in India- it is such a huge encouragement to me. Learning about the stories of the women in India is really encouraging too- I get to hear about God transforming the women's self-images. And every product has a story, so the entire store is filled with accounts of people working and able to provide for their families- Rahab's Rope shines as hope for this world.

Emily 
Short Term Volunteer - U.S.