Through our Children’s Crisis Fund, we can respond and save the lives of children. This next story begins with a familiar situation – a child who is rushed to the hospital with an injury – but the saving that occurs at the story’s end is dramatically different.

As a young boy, Vinesh often went to the Hindu temples with his mother to worship idols. But this worship came with a price, as Vinesh’s mother was a devadasi, a temple prostitute dedicated to the Hindu goddess (to read more about this terrible tradition and how it affects India's children, click here). 

The life of a devadasi does not provide a safe or stable environment for a child, so children like Vinesh came to the attention of Mission of Mercy staff seeking to enroll at-risk children in the program. When he came to the project, Vinesh received meals, school uniforms, educational materials, and tutoring.

Vinesh also learned about Jesus at the project, but he didn’t give his heart to the Lord. Not until something happened that opened his eyes completely.

Vinesh was riding his bicycle one day when he was struck by a tempo, a large taxi that is common in India. After he fell, blood poured from his head and he fainted. Upon hearing of the accident, the project manager took Vinesh to the hospital immediately.

The doctors suspected that Vinesh's head injury may have affected his memory and surgery was needed. Without question, Vinesh’s mother could not afford the cost of surgery. So the Mission of Mercy staff began to fast and pray, asking for God to heal Vinesh.

Not long after, the doctors performed a secondary examination and determined that Vinesh was out of danger and that his memory was most likely unaffected! The prayers of the staff were answered powerfully! As soon as Vinesh learned that he had been healed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, he placed his trust in Him.

The threat this accident posed to Vinesh and his mother should not be understated. But how God used the incident and the staff of the center speaks to God’s power and the purpose of our programs: for children in poverty to experience transformation and wholeness through God’s love.

Vinesh continues to attend the project, where he receives tutoring in math and English. His humility is evident in his interactions with his teachers and friends. Once a child who had seen the darkest side of humanity, Vinesh now understands the power available to him in Christ, the Light of the world.

Do you know the power of your prayers for your sponsored child? Did you know that simply writing out those prayers could create lasting change in your child's heart?