Unbridled Joy through a Gift of Sandals and Eternal Life
Loud outbursts are pretty common when children come together under one tent. Yet one shriek rose above the rest that day from a girl named Prasanthi.
With that uncontrollable outburst, Jacob, the local gospel worker turned around. “Why are you shouting?” he asked the young girl. (Jacob is perhaps the kindest, gentlest person you could ever meet.)
Prasanthi could not contain herself. She burst into tears and told Jacob in between gulps of air, that up to that day, she hadn’t owned a pair of sandals. She’d walked around barefoot, enduring both the thorns in the area, and the jeers of others who assumed her bare feet at school meant she had no value. She was so humiliated.
She’d asked her parents for sandals. They’d responded as best any impoverished family could, “When we have the money.” Until now, 14-year-old Prasanthi had no sandals.
Even her teachers seemed to pick on her, attacking her esteem. They assigned her dirty jobs like cleaning the toilets or telling her to just go home because she didn’t wear sandals. Her mom tried to comfort her, “Don’t give up, believe in God.” But Prasanthi complained, “Because I don’t have a pair of shoes, I am not equal to the other students.”
Sometimes as Prasanthi walked to school, she would have evil thoughts about how she could get a pair of shoes. As she considered stealing or begging, she resolved that because God did not answer her mother’s prayers, she would not follow Jesus.
That would soon change . . .
On the day of the Easter gospel outreach in a city in South India, Prasanthi wandered into the tent Jacob, his wife Sheeba, and his ministry team had erected to shade the children from the hot sun. After Bible lessons and child testimonies, the ministry team began feeding the children.
What happened next captured Prasanthi’s heart . . .
During the meal, the team handed out sandals to the barefoot children. God had already laid it upon Jacob’s heart to buy sandals for the children because of the extreme heat (113 F/45 C). God reminded Jacob, himself a Dalit, about the blisters and boils on the feet of such children without protection from the hot, dirty ground.
That unforgettable day, Prasanthi got her sandals and an understanding of how much God loves her. Most importantly, she believed in Jesus, the Son of God, as her Savior. God wiped away her tears as she discovered that He had seen her all along. And He knew the desire of her heart!
As Prasanthi grows in the Lord, pray that she courageously shares her testimony with other children in her community. Just as Psalm 145:4 reads, “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.”
We rejoice that God’s word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). His word bore fruit in Prasanthi that day.
Thank you for making such gospel outreaches possible. God used your gifts and prayers to feed these children at risk with a meal, cover their blistered feet with sandals, and most importantly—satisfy Prasanthi, and others, with the gospel of Jesus Christ—their greatest need.
Thank you! Your Gift of God’s Word Changed My Heart
An Easter gospel outreach testimony from India
“I attended the event conducted before and had food then also. I will never forget my experience. I was small then, and I accepted Jesus into my heart. I did not know a lot about Him. But now I am growing and understanding more about Jesus by reading the kid’s bible I got as a gift from you before. This gift is special to me, and I will always love it. My favorite lessons in the bible are the miracles done by Jesus. I love the story where He multiplies the bread and fish to feed 5000 people.
I give my thanks to God for those who played a part in sending me a bible. I don’t know who they are, but I am confident that God will bless them.
I give my thanks to God for those who played a part in sending me a bible. I don’t know who they are, but I am confident that God will bless them. I am happy that our neighborhood is named ‘Character Colony.’ I can see all the ten [Christlike] character qualities in the bible when I read it. There are many new families and kids coming here to live, and they need to be taught about Jesus.” (Balamurali,16 year-old boy)
Romania Easter Gospel Outreaches
Spiritual and Physical Food for Homeless Romanian Families
Our Romanian ministry team delivered groceries and 50 hot meals to homeless families in Arad. 2 days later they brought then clothing, blankets and more food. They teamed up with the local church and organized a Gospel outreach. They drove the people to a park where they heard the Gospel, enjoyed worshipping together, and received delicious food. Then the ministry team brought them back to their homes.
Christlikeness: Thankfulness
Thankfulness: Sincerely showing others my gratitude for their effect on my life.
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The grateful forget they have given, but the grateful can never forget that they have received. – North American Proverb
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4
When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. – G. K. Chesterton
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 107:1
It’s not because things are good that we are to thank the Lord, but because He is good. – Hannah Whitall Smith
He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who [sets] his way aright I shall show the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23
A thankful heart enjoys blessings twice—when they are received and when they are remembered. – Anonymous
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29
