Binata Overcomes Limitations and Finds Hope!
Binata never imagined she’d be a single woman in her thirties, but a tragic childhood accident caused her to lose an eye – creating suffering and hardship in almost every area of her life. Many in her community attributed her eye injury to past karma or divine punishment for something she had done.
Binata eventually lost hope of marrying as she was repeatedly rejected by men because of her eye. Her unmarried status also meant she didn’t meet societal expectations, making her an outcast who had to find a way to support herself financially. All of this weighed heavily on Binata.
Binata had to leave school after the 8th grade, and the education she did receive was lacking. She had difficulty reading, which – combined with her limited eyesight – presented many challenges in daily life and work. Simple tasks were arduous for Binata. She finally found work in a stone factory; however, her limitations hindered opportunities for advancement.
Amidst her many struggles, Binata joined an Adult Literacy Class in her village, led by Shaheena. In class, she found peace in the teachings about Jesus, which she began to embrace. Shaheena offered prayer and support for the students, and gradually Binata came to faith in Jesus. She also secured a new job which gave her more financial stability.
Just when things were looking up for Binata, her sister became seriously ill. Despite medical treatments, her condition only worsened and Binata feared she might lose her sister. She turned to Shaheena for help and the two visited Binata’s brother-in-law to pray and offer their support. Shaheena helped them find a reputable hospital where Binata’s sister had kidney surgery. The surgery was successful and Binata’s sister is recovering nicely.
Seeing how God cared for her sister, Binata was filled with gratitude and renewed faith. It strengthened her belief in the power of prayer and she fully surrendered her life to Jesus, receiving Him as her personal Savior.
This was not the end of Binata’s story, however, as she continued to gain many new skills through special trainings offered by the Literacy Class. In addition to mastering reading, writing, and basic math, Binata became more aware of things that impact health. She was taught preventative healthcare, the importance of sanitation, and disease management. This made Binata more proactive in safeguarding her health – information she shared with her family as well.
Binata also gained many practical skills and resources which improved her socioeconomic status. She was introduced to peer support networks and learned techniques for generating additional income, managing her finances well, and saving money.
Binata’s newfound knowledge and skills opened new opportunities for her to grow personally and professionally. She now feels empowered through her literacy, health awareness, and the self-help principles she learned. Despite the societal biases and physical limitations she still faces, Binata has found peace and purpose as she serves her Lord and Savior. Please pray that Binata’s testimony will bring hope to others as she shares the love of Jesus in her community.
