Hope in the Midst of the COVID Crisis

Mariammal, Age: 62

I live in a small village in rural south India. My husband died a few years ago. I have a daughter who is married and lives in another town. I fell a few months ago and injured my hip. I am unable to work or even to go out to purchase food. I get $20 as pension every month from the government.

When your people came to my house to give me groceries, I was filled with such joy. Even my own daughter did not visit me even after finding out I had fallen and was helpless, but here are these people who were very kind to me. They inquired about my problems, encouraged me and prayed for my healing.

I was very sad thinking that I was neglected by everyone, and no one cared for me, but all that sadness vanished when they visited me. I joined them in prayer and prayed for my healing. I am very thankful to the people who sent me help in my time of utmost need.

Alangaarselvi, age 40

I live in a small village in south India. I have a daughter in 10th grade and a son in 4th grade. I contracted HIV from my husband who died of the disease. Because I have HIV, society looks down not only on me, but also on my parents and siblings. So, this causes them to hate me.

I was totally brokenhearted because of my health condition and had no means to take care of my children. It was in this situation that I came to know about Jesus Christ through my children. I decided to go to church with them. There the word of God touched my heart and for the first time I had peace in my mind and a clear guidance for my life. I felt a strong assurance that Jesus Christ will take care of us.

I started working for daily wages, and I also started receiving $20 every month from the government. With that amount of money we were surviving on simple meals every day.

But when the lockdown was implemented, there was no work for me. I didn’t have any money in my hand. I was worried. We were living off the ration rice that the government gave us.

But I was filled with joy when your staff visited us and gave us all kinds of groceries, things that I never dreamed of buying. With those things I am able to cook and give my children what they need. I am so thankful to God’s people who thought of us and sent us help in our desperate situation.

Sundarammal Age: 68

I live in a small village with my son who is a goat herdsman. I am not able to do any kind of work as I can walk only with the support of a stick. My son does all the household work, since I am not unable to get around. He does the cooking for us also.

My daughter-in-law and grandson are mentally ill. I have the responsibility to constantly watch out for them since they have a tendency to get out of the house and wander away.

Because of the sudden lockdown, we are struggling financially. The government distributed $13 worth of some rice to each house. We were eating that rice only. We couldn’t buy other groceries.

But God provided us all that we need and more through you. The things are so helpful to us and very nutritious. Thanks be to God and to you all for helping my family.