A Place to Praise
October 2, 2008
The Gospel of Christ is bringing peace to many households in India. |
Until just a short time ago, the home 21-year-old Suchitra lived in was a temple of doom. Today, this very place has turned into a haven of praise and hope—a home where Christ is freely proclaimed.
As part of the Banjara—a tribal group found in India—Suchitra was also included in India's scorned Dalit ("Untouchables") community. The Banjara people are India's largest gypsy group, and they are deeply superstitious. Their name is derived from bajika, meaning "business or trade," and banji, which means "peddlers pack." Usually people think of gypsies as traveling places and not settling down. In earlier years, the Banjara were nomadic, but today many have settled in one place for farming. And they are poor.
Tormented by evil spirits for five months, Suchitra was so deeply troubled that she was unable to sleep at night...However, they have a colorful culture, which includes story-telling, traditional dance and folk instruments. Some Banjara are fortunetellers. Their superstitious lifestyles as a whole make them susceptible to dark spiritual forces.
Such was Suchitra's environment. Her life was difficult because of witchcraft directed toward her. Tormented by evil spirits for five months, Suchitra was so deeply troubled that she was unable to sleep at night. She also suffered from throat pain.
Then Suchitra heard that Pankaj, a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary, was leading a prayer meeting close to her home. She visited the meeting and related some of her struggles to the group. Pankaj asked her to come to his church so his whole congregation could pray for her.
As Pankaj and his congregation prayed for Suchitra, she was delivered! Seeing this demonstration of God's love and power, Suchitra chose to receive Christ. Now, with her family's permission, Pankaj leads a prayer meeting in Suchitra's home! Not only has Suchitra found hope instead of despair, but her home is now a place where Christ is proclaimed and worshipped!
Pray for Suchitra's entire family to receive Christ—and for His continued work in the hearts of those in her village who still need His redemptive touch.
