A poverty-stricken widow discovers the love of Jesus

May 7, 2008

Maheswari was drowning in a sea of grief and poverty when she first came to our Adult Literacy class.

Her husband was killed in a mudslide near their home in the steep hills of the Himalayan mountain range.

His sudden death left Maheswari alone—the sole provider for their three children.

The only job illiterate Maheswari could find was working as a day laborer at a construction site. Some days she earned no money at all. And on the days when she could find work, she brought home just $1.

This wasn’t enough to feed the family. So Maheswari was forced to take her oldest son out of school and send him to work as well.

The Adult Literacy classes that started in her village were an answer to Maheswari’s lifelong dream to learn how to read and write.

Literacy wasn’t the only gift she received through this year-long program—she also eagerly received the gift of salvation from her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Maheswari’s transformation hasn’t made her life perfect.

The village leader heard about her new faith in Jesus…and told the other villagers not to speak to her anymore.

Yet Maheswari is determined to stay faithful to God, trusting in His promise to provide for all her needs. And she is teaching her children to follow Jesus as well.

Give the gift of literacy to another person 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.