We just returned this morning from a blessed time with 9 of the girls we're involved with in ministry (sharing Christ and helping with physical needs to the girls and their families via your donations and prayers). Also with the girls are Sister Pavani (her husband and she leading the children's ministry), Karuna (the pastor whom we stayed with) and his wife, Ratna Kumari. Brother Karuna (his name meaning "mercy") shared his testimony with all 12 of us the 1st night we stayed in his home and church (the home on the 1st floor, the church on the 2nd).
This pastor has been blind since he fell at 16 years old and a stick went into his eye. Perhaps because the infection went into his other eye, or because of a lack of proper medical care, he lost his sight in the other eye also. His wife was accidentally hit by a bus when she was 11, which caused her to lose one of her legs above the knee. Somehow the Lord brought the two of them together in marriage. They had 3 daughters, but struggled terribly in the earlier years, the children not having sufficient food to eat. But what impacted my heart was the fact that, even with such obvious difficulties and limitations, they never lost their faith, but kept trusting the Lord to see them through.
He led them and has used them to start a church in their town, that also involving much persecution from the police and neighborhood unbelievers. But now He has given them rest from so many of their enemies, and they seem to be doing ministry peacefully in their area. All 3 daughters married Godly men, and all 3 of the couples are involved in ministry. May we all learn from such a story and example: no matter what is happening in our lives, though the winds and storms assail, may we not lose hope, but hang on in faith that He will accomplish His purposes for our lives.
"The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your loving kindness, O LORD, is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalms 138:8
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