Empowering Women

Empowering Women
 
The greatest story that thrilled me was of a single elderly lady traveling on bullock carts and jeeps across jungles in North India, confronted at times by dacoits and at others by wild animals. This was unbelievable. “Why did she do it?” I asked as a young boy. I sat attentive to my great aunt, our visitor, the storyteller.

This great aunt had a passion to share the good news of Christ with people who had never heard. She boldly met the sadhus in mountain caves and presented a copy of the Bible. She discipled people from all walks of life to follow Christ.

As I look back, I realize the stories of my great aunt not only impressed in my mind but also ignited my love for missions. At home my mother, sister and two grandmothers shaped my formative years. My wife has influenced me to mature years, along with teachers, friends and colleagues. The saying ‘Behind every successful man there is a woman’ seems often true.

Women are the bearers of culture and spirituality. Throughout history, women have helped build family, community and a nation. Women influence the minds of children. Traditionally, women teachers and nurses ignited young minds and alleviated physical suffering.

At its origins in 1852, Interserve’s vision was serving the educational and health needs of women. For a hundred years that was our task. Women from all backgrounds served Indian women and girls through teaching, health and related professions, ministering also to spiritual needs. Several founded educational and medical institutions that made landmark contributions to communities in North and Western India. We want to continue to the tradition and mobilize more women to be in missions.
A few years back when I analyzed the people in missions in terms of gender, I was surprised that nearly eighty percent were men. (Some argued that since most men were married we should count their wives, but I am not sure women are always part of the mission task.)

We in Interserve are committed to empower, equip and facilitate women to fulfill God’s purposes.
Join us at Interserve as we seek women to transform lives and communities for and with women in India. John Amalraj 

© 2008, INFOCUS, Interserve India

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