In a small farming village in Andhra Pradesh, a team of Gospel for Asia missionaries was going door to door passing out Gospel tracts. Systematically, they visited each house, sharing the Good News with all who would listen.
The men knocked at the door of one house, but no one answered. They just knew someone must be in the house, though, because the door was clearly bolted from the inside.
The missionary team waited a little longer, but still there was no response. Noticing an open window, they looked in to see if anyone was home. What they saw shocked them to the core: A woman was hanging from a roof rafter with a sari wrapped around her neck!
Frantically, the missionaries broke down the door, rushed in and untied the woman. Her skin had changed color and she was struggling to breathe. Quickly, one of the missionaries called for a doctor. As the woman slowly recovered and her color returned, she told them her story.
Her name was Heena. She had been born into a nominal Christian home and married Surya, a man from the village.
But Surya had no job. He was an alcoholic and did not care for their family’s welfare. He would come home drunk and beat her. Henna was forced to work all day in the fields to support their two sons.
Exhausted and despairing with no peace in their home and no hope in her heart, Heena planned to end her life. That day, while her husband and children were away, she took an extra sari and fastened one end to a rafter. She tied the other end around her neck….
After hearing Heena’s sad story, the missionaries began visiting her house regularly, counseling and sharing the love of Jesus with her and Surya.
As a result, both accepted Jesus Christ into their lives.
Prayer meetings are now being held in the couple’s home every Friday. And because their neighbors see the changed lives, a mission station has been established in the village.