Abhana village...

One of the sisters took me with her to Abhana, a real Indian village, for a prayer meeting. We were a band of people - a sister who is a nurse, a brother, and a couple of Bible College students along with the two of us - going in a Sumo. The road, though not very broad, was a good one. There were only fields, ponds and trees with a mud hut or two far away in the distance on either side of the road. Exquisite. Finally we came to this village. The brother who was travelling with us told me that there were four Christian families in this village, but they were subject to so much persecution, that three families went away but this fourth one stayed despite and regardless of all the trouble they were subjected to - in fact are still subject to. The ashram has opened a mission center there where they run a small primary school for the village children.

The mud hut was beautifully kept and maintained in the traditional way. There was a courtyard between the room which is used to receive visitors and hold prayer meetings, and the living quarters. The lady of the house - an elderly lady was very dignified and radiated beautiful calm. Her husband welcomed us in and they joined us in prayer and song. I was so taken up with the joyfulness of the singing (the only instrument accompaniment was the tambourine), and the passion with which they read the Bible and talked about the lesson read. Later they served us papad - I've never tasted such delicious papad - mixture, and biscuits. We had water with this - sweet water from their well. As we sat and chatted, the brother and sisters speak their dialect - and it gave me such a warm feeling to be included in their talk They exchanged news of the area, the local political scenario, the ruthlessness of the rich towards them. This lady was to stand for the post of the sarpanch of the village but when she went to fill in her form, the men there tore up her form, beat her and sent her away. They were angry, but had no option other than to accept it - and get on with life without any bitterness - accepting that the rich will do as they please and these have no chane. It's not an easy life they live - not at all - but they are so proud of their home and of who they are and their life there. They know their place in the scheme of the Universe and proudly live it....

A home we saw along the way - mud and brick - but oh! so lovely!!

The Mission House