Rahab's Rope Update 08/25/08

Greetings Friends,

I have just returned home from India and surprisingly am recovering quickly from the jet lag. Thank you all so much for you prayers and support! I wish I could give you a day-by-day account of all God is doing among our women but time and space does not allow. In Luke 9 Jesus heals a young boy and verse 43 says "And they were all amazed at the greatness of God." I too must say that I am amazed at the greatness of God! We know in our minds that the Bible says nothing is impossible with God but when we see and experience His works that seem impossible to us we stand in awe and amazement.

I would like to share with you a small portion of what is happening among our women in India. I will begin with the set-up of English and Math classes, which was the focus of this trip. An amazing woman, Mackey Hooper, is giving two years to teach our women and the women love her already. The excitement of the classes is comparable to children on Christmas morning, the women literally beg for more homework. Mackeyis using many songs and games that we would use with elementary school children to teach and it is amazing to watch. You see, most of our women never experienced a childhood, as we know it, theirs was filled with abuse, slavery and poverty. We have a new woman in her late 20's that has never even held a pencil; I can't even begin to comprehend her life. But, praise God, the women laugh and learn and laugh and laugh, it's wonderful. Psalm 126:2-3 "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them. The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." I am filled with joy!

A few specific stories:

Gowramma, whom God has completely transformed, has been with us a couple of years. A necessary brief history - When Gowramma first came she was rescued from literally living on the street and was close to giving birth. When she was brought in she emphatically announced that if she had a boy she would sell him, get her tubes tied to go back to work and if it was a girl she would kill her. Through wise counsel our staff led her to the Lord before she had the baby and she loves Samson as much as any mother can. One day, last week, when I was at the center Gowramma was not there and I discovered she had gone to her home village to rescue a 4 year-old girl and her 7 year-old brother who the father was in the process of selling or killing, either one, it didn't matter to him the mother had passed away and he had no use for the children. The children will now be living at Beulah Home for Children. What a transformation!

Preema has been with us for several months and while I was there she came and shared this story for the first time. Preema recently went to her home place for a visit, while there many women tried to force her back into the life of a prostitute. What Preema had learned while living at Rahab's Rope became a reality in her life. She was able to stand firm in her faith and strength in God and be a light to those in darkness. Preema expressed her desire to be baptized as her testimony in belief of the One True God.

You may remember we enrolled two girls in Beauty School in May, Susan and Mary Stella. I visited the school twice, had a manicure and pedicure complete with leg and arm massages. Absolutely the best arm and leg massage I have ever had! The girls are so thankful for this opportunity, this dream come true, that they are giving 120% to learning their skills. I have no doubt they will be able to secure a very nice job upon completion of school. As well, they will return to Rahab's Rope and impart training to others. It is our hope to one day have our own school and salon.

If funding comes through we have 2 more girls waiting to enroll in Beauty School in November.

While there Mary Teresa shared with me her desire for Nursing School. Mary Teresa is one of the few girls that actually has an education and was forced into prostitution, by poverty, just as she had begun Nursing School. Mary said she has no desire to leave Rahab's Rope but to go to school and come back and serve the women of RR by caring for their medical needs, as she is able. We are in the process of researching the requirements of getting Mary enrolled in Nursing School and will keep you posted on the needs concerning this.

In speaking of medical needs I would like to put these prayer request before you. Mary Stella, mentioned above, has been fainting at school. Mary Stella was brought to RR in Feb when she was found attempting suicide by eating broken glass. We have taken her to the doctor but the results are not conclusive. The doctor has given her some meds and said she is malnourished. I am not sure if she has some internal problems or if it has more to do with depression. Please pray for her as we continue to meet her needs. Another lady, Hemma, is in the process of being tested for AIDS.

Hemma lives with us and if her tests come back positive it will be a very difficult situation and we will have to find alternative housing. Please pray for a negative test. One last medical need, Yeshuda is new to RR and can't hear in one ear and can speak very little. Yeshuda seems very bright, she is a quick learner with hand skills and she tries with all her might to sound the English words being taught. We have her a doctor’s appointment and I am hoping and praying that this could be a simple fix, if so it will change her life forever.

There are so many stories to tell and so many more lives to touch.

I hope you have been encouraged and inspired by what God is doing. I stand in awe! It is my prayer that the nation of Indian will say, "The LORD has done great things among them". I thank you in advance for your continued prayer and financial support!

Blessings