Mukesh couldn’t remember his mother’s love. In fact, he couldn’t remember ever being loved. At least, not until he met the kind family who led him to Jesus.
Mukesh was born into a poor family in North India. Their caste demanded they be butchers. In order to get a job, Mukesh’s father had to move to a neighboring state. Though he had to travel far to visit his family, he still managed to see them often.
When Mukesh was three years old, his mother passed away. Then just two years later, his father was killed in an accident.
At age five, Mukesh was orphaned with no family to care for him. His aunt was sympathetic toward his pitiable state, so she took him in. Living with his aunt was better than living on the streets, Mukesh had to admit, but it was still a daily struggle. More tolerated than loved, he worked hard to ‘earn his keep,’ doing all the domestic work and obeying all the demands of his unjust relatives.
In time, Mukesh realized how unreasonable his situation was, and rebellion crept into his heart. Finally he had to leave his aunt’s home.
The government offered free education, food, and lodging for poor students. So Mukesh enrolled. But still he felt empty. Deep down he longed to belong to someone. Discouraged, he began to lag in his studies, causing the school to threaten expulsion.
One day, lonely and bored, Mukesh found himself wandering aimlessly through the campus. In the silence of his thoughts he heard a song drifting from a nearby home. enabled him to hear a song, drifting from a nearby hut. The words sung in Hindi captivated his heart: “As a mother cares for us, Jesus cares for us.” Curiosity and hope filled his soul. Who could love like this? he wondered. Whoever it was, he wanted that love.
Feeling courageous one day, he walked toward the home where the song had come from. The family told him about Jesus, whom they loved—and who loved them. Through their words and actions, Mukesh felt the love they had sung about.
The family began to love and care for Mukesh. Out of their poverty, they shared with him. He sensed their love through such sacrifice.
While living with them, Mukesh learned more about the Lord and gave his heart to Jesus. He became active in church and grew in his faith. A GFA missionary introduced Mukesh to one of GFA’s Bible colleges. Mukesh was thrilled—but realized he couldn’t quite afford it. Working as a painter for a month, he saved the money to attend. During his first year of studies, Mukesh lived with a pastor and small group of other trainees. The close environment nurtured their growth together in the Lord.
One year later, he continues his studies and will likely graduate next year. Pray for Mukesh as he eagerly prepares to follow his Master’s call—bringing the love of Jesus to those who feel unloved. He will never forget the moment he discovered for himself that “As a mother cares for us, Jesus cares for us.”