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"How do I make your God my own God?"

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02.07.2022

In South Asia, along a bustling street in a busy city, you’ll find a spot of light and peace. Inside the offices of a textile business, women talk and laugh as they embroider, cut fabric, and sew. The company was started by four TMS Global cross-cultural witnesses as a way to provide meaningful employment in a safe, loving environment for people caught in the devastating cycle of extreme poverty.  

Artisans from primarily Muslim and Hindu backgrounds create beautiful embroidered quilts, pillows, towels, potholders, and more. But the business isn’t just a place for people to work. There’s a healthy lunch each day, free childcare, and occasional educational seminars. There are birthday celebrations and regular opportunities for fun and joy.  

Employees also have the option to study the Bible together. Through this, and their relationships with the owners of the business, the Wilsons* and Carters*, they learn about Jesus and His love for them.  

Meher* is the company’s office administrator. She comes from a Hindu background, but has been following Jesus more and more for some time. She has been asking for prayer for her whole family to come to faith in Jesus.  

Recently, Meher invited the Wilsons and Carters to her house because her family was celebrating a Hindu festival.  

“We’d been there for about five minutes,” Sarah Wilson says, “and were literally talking about the weather when Meher’s husband, Raja*, interrupted, saying, ‘How do I make your God my own God? I’m ready.’”  

Sarah says she and the others sat stunned for a few seconds, and asked him what he meant by his comment.  

He told us that he’d thought a lot about it and that, although he is Brahmin (the highest caste in Hinduism), he doesn’t really believe that he is higher or different than any other human. He said he’d seen the love and unity that we, as followers of Jesus, share with one another. And he wants that kind of unity,” Sarah says.  

Allison Carter says, “He just kept on going, testifying to his growing faith and the ways that knowing Jesus so far has changed his family.”  

For people in this community, following Jesus isn’t usually a quick decision. There are a number of barriers that may make someone pause before giving their life fully to Christ. For example, people here are deeply concerned with what others might think or say.  

“For our artisans, the number one reason that people do not move forward with their faith in Jesus is the fear of what their family and community members will say,” Sarah says.  

Raja is aware that there might be pushback from others.  

He says, “I know it will be hard for us, and people won’t understand. But I am thinking about my children and the next generation. If we take this step, yes, it will be difficult for us. But then our children will live freely as followers of Jesus.” 

The Wilsons and Carters ask for continued prayer for Meher, Raja, and their family as they grow in their relationship with the Lord.  

 

South Asian woman sits at a sowing desk with her back to the camera.

 

*Pseudonys are used for security reasons.