Stories

“What did you do to the floors?” Her uncle asked.

Gaurisha squared her shoulders, smiling shyly. This was her chance.

Ever since Gaurisha’s parents died in a road accident, she had lived as a servant in her uncle’s house. She wasn’t allowed to go to school with his children, and was instead expected to do housework and care for her cousins. She spent many hopeless days scrubbing the floors, and many nights wondering if her life was even worth living.

As Gaurisha grew into a young woman, the neighbors began whispering about her uncle. Education was highly valued in their city, and her uncle’s choice to keep her out of school brought criticism.

Finally, to keep the neighbors at bay, her uncle allowed her to attend an Adult Literacy Class near their house. There, Gaurisha learned to read and write, but she learned other things too, and it started with the floors…

One weekend, Gaurisha’s Adult Literacy Class held a special training session. The teacher showed Gaurisha and her peers how to make household products like bathing soap, herbal oils, and floor cleaning solution.

Gaurisha was inspired. She started saving her pocket money, a few rupees at a time that she’d normally spend on snacks like sweet balls of rice, until she had enough to buy the ingredients for floor cleaner. She added her favorite fragrance, gathered her courage, and began cleaning the floors.

So when Gaurisha’s uncle asked her about the floors, she told him proudly that she made the floor cleaner herself.

Word spread. Her neighbors began buying it from her, and soon, she was making ₹4,000 (equal to almost $45) a month.

Eventually, because of her new financial freedom, Gaurisha had a choice to make. Would she leave behind her uncle’s family? Would she repay wounds with more wounds?

For Gaurisha, the choice was obvious. Throughout her time in the Adult Literacy Class, she had heard about a Savior named Jesus who cares about the lonely and forgotten. She was amazed that there was a God who saw her pain and loved her personally, and soon, she received Him into her life.

If God never left Gaurisha behind, she didn’t want her to leave her family behind, either.

Instead, she stayed with them. Today, she openly attends a church that was planted through her Adult Literacy Class, and she prays that her faith will inspire her family to learn about her Father in Heaven, who provided a floor cleaning solution when she needed it most.

Pray

• Join Gaurisha in prayer for her uncle’s family, who are amazed by her new life but have not expressed interest in her faith yet.
• Consider a few ways God has provided in your moments of need. Praise Him for His gentle care for you, and for Gaurisha.

Take Action

• Consider how you can repurpose your skills and passions to bless others this week. Maybe that’s dropping off a meal to your neighbor, sending a kind text, or watching your friend’s children.
• More women like Gaurisha are waiting to hear that God cares for their specific needs. Will you help us reach them? Click here to learn more.