Our health workers have learned that the health of each village depends on the health of the Mothers and Grandmothers in the village. That means it is important for us to focus our energy on women’s health.
In August of 2023, Uma Chinniah, our regional director, chose to conduct a special training session to help our health workers raise awareness regarding breast cancer, a disease that affects far too many women. The classes are very practical, including how to teach village women about the disease and how to do self-examinations.
A few days after the class, Vijaya Kumari, one of our health workers, told Uma that one of her Hindu friends had taken the class and discovered a small lump in her breast. Vijaya quickly visited the woman, confirmed the symptom of breast cancer, and advised her to see a doctor right away. However, the woman is a widow and cannot afford treatment.
Vijaya took the woman, Sri Lakshmi, to a nearby hospital where doctors gave her the devastating news that she had second stage breast cancer and needed immediate treatment. Sri, as you would expect, is often in tears. The two women have been praying and studying Bible promises together. Vijaya is also working with Adventist doctors to see if there is a way to arrange affordable care for Sri.
We wish we could tell you that Sri and Vijaya have found a wonderful positive ending to this story, but they are still searching for an affordable medical solution. The one thing I can share, for certain, is that Sri and Vijaya are facing this challenge together and are asking you to join them in their prayers for healing. Ministry, you know, is about walking together in compassion.
Thank you for joining us in this ministry. Thank you for walking with Sri, Vijaya, and Uma.
Thank you for helping us put skin on compassion.
