Bible-based literacy making a life or death difference

March 26, 2008

Women in India are being transformed through Adult Literacy classes.

Two abused, illiterate women.

Two opportunities to transform lives with the gift of literacy...and joy in Jesus.

We reached Sunita in time. But for Surekha, help came too late.

They lived hundreds of miles apart, but their stories are amazingly similar.

Both women lived in rural villages. Neither were ever given the opportunity to go to school. They married young and each had two children. They struggled with poverty and feelings of hopelessness.

Sunita and Surekha's husbands both drank heavily. They felt no shame about beating their wives—inflicting pain and terror with their alcohol-fueled rages.

But that's where the similarities between their stories end.

Not long after Surekha joined a Mission India Adult Literacy class, her husband showed up at the literacy center drunk. It wasn't the first time he had caused a scene, then dragged her home for another beating.

But Surekha's story ended in tragedy that day. Her husband threw gasoline on her body and set her on fire. Her neighbors tried to rescue her, rushing her to the hospital.

A family member holds up a photo of Surekha.

But it was too late, and Surekha died.

But praise God, Sunita's story has a happier ending.

She, too, endured drunken beatings at the hands of her husband, Munna. But Sunita confided in her Adult Literacy teacher, who urged her to pray to Jesus. The teacher shared the Gospel with Sunita, and prayed with her.

In time, Sunita came to trust in Jesus as her Savior. Her transformation made an impact on her husband, Munna, and he too became a believer. He has stopped drinking and together they are following Jesus.

There are nearly 200 million illiterate women in India, waiting for their chance to break free from the endless cycle of poverty and abuse. For some, like Surekha, help will come too late.

But you can reach many more women like Sunita, whose lives will be forever changed by hearing the truth of the Gospel through an Adult Literacy class.

Give the gift of literacy in India

Your gift of $30 provides teacher training, a stipend for the teacher, and class materials in a regional Indian language.

The class materials include three Bible-based lesson booklets for each student, slates and chalk for students, a large chalkboard for teachers, and a kerosene lantern.

Find out more about ways you can give. If you prefer to make a donation over the phone, please call us at (877) 644-6342.