Redemption: The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Redemption has been the theme of my month...I love this theme! There are few things that are more beautiful/encouraging than witnessing the act of being redeemed.
But now, this is what the Lord says-
He who created you, Jacob-
He who formed you, Israel;
"Do not fear, for I have redeemd you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
Isaiah 43:7
 |
 |
| I have fun friends:-) |
 |
| THEY HAVE GRASS IN KOLKATA |
 |
| Things got goofy at the Aftercare home...I know it's blurry but we have stickers all over our face. |
 |
| TGI Fridays in Delhi. Bless you, Delhi. |
 |
| Finally made it up to the Taj Mahal...pretty spectacular! |
This is what I long to share with our clients in South Asia. I want to say "Please don't fear anymore! You are redeemed, you are the chosen ones. We have summoned you out of slavery...by name. We knew your names before we met you, we longed for your freedom and prayed for your freedom before we even saw you." Not only is this my desire, but this is God's desire for his people! Not only these who have recently come out of slavery, but for us! He has saved us from our sin, he has summoned us by name, and He evens calls us his own. I don't deserve this kind of grace. Whether I deserve it or not, this is beautiful. Every time I meet a new group of clients that has recently been rescued, I am blown away by God's faithfulness. I am witnessing redemption....it may be in the a worldly since, but God's hand is all over this redemption.
I visited some friends in Kolkata a few weeks ago and was blown away by some of the redemption that his happening in this city. South Asia has a long way to go in the fight for justice, but their is truly an army of people fighting for justice in this part of the world. I was able to visit a few different NGO's while I was in Kolkata and it was so rewarding to see their work. Freeset is an organization that gives women in the sex trade an alternative to prostitution. They currently have over 200 employees that have come out of the sex trade and learned a new trade. They teach these women how to make t-shirts and jute bags. I took a tour of this building and their work is unreal. These women were just waiting for an alternative to prostitution and Freeset is offering that to them! Hundred of women are coming to them saying they are ready for a new life. REDEMPTION!!! I also had the opportunity to visit an aftercare home for minors. We spent a few hours one afternoon decorating Easter eggs, singing, and just being goofy. Some of these girls have been out of the sex trade for a few years and some were only rescued a few days before. I was overjoyed to see their smiling faces and praised God that they are free and that they are safe. They do not have to live in fear in this aftercare home. They are protected, loved, and getting help. Isn't God good?
Here are a few pictures from my trip:
I have to end with a weird story...as usual. While I was in Kolkata Neesha, Margaret and I wer eating at a pizza place and a random man cam up to me and said "are you a ballerina?" I said "well, not currently, but I have danced in the past. To be quite honest with you all, I did ballet in 4th grade and that's my only ballet experience, BUT I really wanted to know why he was asking me this question. He went on to tell me that he wanted the 3 of us to be on a television show that he is filming. This tv show happens to be a magic show...we will be assistants. I was skeptical, but of course, I committed. After watching a few of his youtube videos, I came to realize that he is a legit magician. His family is pretty well known in these parts for doing magic. He has flown to my city and we will be filming in the next few weeks. Random, right? What is my life?
Love to all! I hope and pray that each of you are doing well!
