The Story of Radha
The Story of Radha
One of my favorite things to share is how God redeems and transforms the lives of the women we serve. The ending of their stories is always so much more exciting than the beginning. Yet the beginning is the reality so many women live every day. It is that heartbreaking reality that first compelled me to begin this ministry. And it is stories like Radha's that continue to encourage me and remind me why we do this work.
Radha is in her fifties, though she doesn't know her exact age. As a little girl, she never learned to read or write. She had never even seen a school or knew what one was. At just nine years old her aunt sold her to a brothel. She was forced into a life of cleaning, cooking, and entertaining customers.
When Radha talks about those years, she simply says, "My life was hell, and I had nowhere to run." As the years passed, she became accustomed to that life and accepted it as all she would ever know.
She had a son who grew up in the red-light district with her. Sadly, he became involved in destructive choices, contracted AIDS, and eventually passed away.
Some time later, Radha began coming to our center for a few hours each afternoon. Day after day, our staff loved her, welcomed her, and shared the hope of Jesus with her.
Then one day she came to us with tears in her eyes and shared what had happened the night before.
"I went home and couldn't stop crying," she said. "I cried out to Jesus. I confessed my sins and asked Him to change me. I told Him I wanted to serve Him by bringing other girls and women like me to Him. I prayed, 'Please use me to bring these women into Your Kingdom.'"
Our staff embraced Radha with tears of joy and welcomed her as their sister in Christ.
Today, Radha comes to the center every day. She makes our Good Money bracelets, brings her lunch, and spends the day with us. But her ministry doesn't stop there.
Every day she visits several brothels, inviting women to come to the center to experience hope, learn new skills, and hear about the love of Jesus. Because Radha is well known throughout the area, even the madams and pimps respect her and allow her to speak with the women.
Our center director recently told me how humbled she is to witness the transformation God has brought in Radha's life. The influence Radha now has in the community is remarkable, and it is inspiring to watch the Lord use her to bring hope and change to so many others.
Radha's story reminds me of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. When she encountered Jesus, she discovered that He knew everything about her and still loved and accepted her. Her life was transformed. She immediately went back to her town and told everyone what Jesus had done, and because of her testimony, many came to believe in Him.
Please pray for Radha as she faithfully shares the love of Christ with women who desperately need hope. Pray also for our staff as they continue to walk alongside these women, believing that the same God who transformed Radha's life is still changing lives every day.