I was raised in a farming community in rural Northern Illinois where farmers helped their neighbors. If a farmer became ill, his neighbors helped take care of his livestock, planted or harvested his crops, fixed equipment, or whatever had to be done until the farmer was back on his feet again.
If the husband died, the neighbors helped the widow transition through her grief to her new life. Whatever needed to be done, the farmers helped her out. All of this was a part of being a good neighbor.
This has been a part of my cultural mindset since my childhood.
Let’s look at India:
For over 40 million widows in India, life is a desperate struggle for survival. They’re blamed for their husbands’ deaths, they’re forsaken by their families, shunned by their friends, and despised by their communities.
- One in four homes in India is home to a widow.
- 92 percent of India’s women age 70 and older are widows.
- Street begging or prostitution often becomes a way of life.
- Many are left caring for their children with little help from relatives.
In order to provide for themselves and their children, many resort to gathering food from the trash. Some gain income only from selling their bodies on the streets. For those who cannot bear the shame, suicide is their only escape. (Gospel For Asia)
The cultural mindset of India is so unlike mine, but do the differences allow me to ignore them?
Today I prayed:
Lord, help us American believers return to a pure and genuine religion in Your sight that cares and helps orphans and widows in India and other nations in the 10/40 Window. (Based on James 1:27)
What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?
Join with me on Fridays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.
(If you are interested in helping the widows in Asia, check out Gospel For Asia.
Larry Who 