Touching The Untouchable
and behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’
[ Matthew 8:1-2 ]
india.
it’s considered by many as a bustling, developing economic power. it has industry and science, even bollywood.
but, underneath the innovation and industrialization we find this:
They are approximately 300 million people who are deemed “untouchable” and comprise the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system. Since the origin of this system 3,000 years ago, the Dalits have lived in bondage to the code of caste. They have been unable to escape their fate and are deprived of even the most basic liberties and privileges, including the freedom to decide where to live, work and worship.i
just to put that number in perspective, as of 2007 the population of the united states was 301 million people.ii
300 million people deemed untouchable, like the lepers of Galilee. relegated to a life of burden and isolation.
Bonded labor is prevalent among Dalits, even their children, who often work in slave-like conditions to pay off family debt. With estimates as high as 150 million working children, India has the largest child labor force in the world. Abuse is common, with long hours in miserable conditions and no hope of escape. This is the fate of the Dalits.iii
in many cases the ‘family debt’ is what keeps these dalit children in slavery.
i had my breath taken away one sunday when i saw a GFA film which revealed that in some cases the total of that debt is as little as $13.00.iv
living in the land of opportunity it’s hard to imagine how a caste system can operate, but for the dalit, it is the only life available…until now.
in 2001 Gospel For Asia began reaching out specifically to the dalit caste through a ministry called Bridge of Hope. now, over 42,000 children are being bought out of bondage, given an education, school uniforms, medical care, having physical needs met, and, most importantly, are being presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the God who will touch them, the God who is not afraid to touch anyone.
we can partner with Gospel For Asia in touching the dalit caste.
check this out…are you ready for it?
of any money donated to GFA, 100% goes to the field.
100%
not 50% or 75%
while GFA’s primary goal is to plant churches, the native missionaries also work to dig wells, alleviate illiteracy (as high as 90% in many dalit communitiesv ), establish radio programs, outreaches to regional slums and muslim communities, building homes, churches and Bible colleges, and much more.vi
you can be a part of touching the untouchable. GFA makes it easy.
One Time Donation – any amount at all. you can designate it toward a specific need or simply send it where it is most needed.
Sponsor A Missionary – $30 a month supports a native missionary in some of the most unreached parts of the world.
Sponsor A Child – $28 a month supports a child in the Bridge of Hope program.
for more on Gospel For Asia visit this page, or visit their official site.
above all, join us in praying for the work being done in india, especially in the dalit community.
our God is the God who reaches, cleanses and embraces.
praise the Lord.
- http://www.gfa.org/dalit↩
- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/us.html↩
- http://www.gfa.org/dalit/reaching-the-dalits↩
- http://www.calvaryhanford.com/videos/bringingthemhope.avi↩
- http://www.gfa.org/dalit/reaching-the-dalits#dalit4↩
- http://www.gfa.org/donation/major-ministries↩
blogging, dollars and cents, internettings, know what you believe, ministry, missions, prayer | June 27th, 2008
That is so sad for these people amongst the Dalits. I can’t believe that even children are having to work off debts. On another hand, it’s great to hear about an organization that is being succesful releasing these children from bondage, in such a complicated system.
Thank you for being apart of the 40 day fast.
The was one blogger who fasted for the Dalit last year. It is eye-opening that such belief in “untouchables” is still so prevalent in the world. I’ll be praying for them and for you in your fasting.
What a heartbreaking thought that $13 can put a family in bondage. Thanks for calling our attention to this. It’s always a helpful reminder to see that every “little” donation can truly make a world of difference.
interesting…i have a friend from India.
she grew up there and her family was Christian.
she moved to the USA later and found out that it was not “normal” to save up money to buy people (children)
Their family regularly saved money and purchased people from slavery as a regular part of their lifestyles. She never thought that perhaps there were people who did not do that.
It shocked her to find out that most of her new friends had NO IDEA to do something like that…or that it was even possible!
its that 13 dollars that can keep them tied to their “owner” because the “owner” will raise their rent or food cost or buy them presents (like clothing or shoes or medicine) that they must work off of their debt…and as hard as they work they cant ever get out of the 13 dollar debt. very sad. evil, in fact.
thanks for writing.
Thank you for sharing this information. It is horrifying and many people don’t know about it or don’t know how to help. I hope your day has gone well.
Hmm… Its always heartening to know that such things exist in India now also.. and come to think of it we’re going to celebrate the 61st Independence Day this year.
Because of the stupid political system not much can be done for such people.
The writer missed one thing though.. These people sell their newborn babies or small children for Rs. 20 (it would be some like $ 0.5 for you people). Reason being they don’t have money to buy rations.
But those people who study well are given scholarships and all.. Its sad that the people aren’t utilizing these things.. They are even paid to send their children to school but they don’t…
–
grace,
thanks for stopping by. not sure i follow all of your comment, but i’m glad you stopped by.
and, like you said, it’s heartening to see the work being done in India. God is working all over the planet to effect the lives and eternities of countless thousands in every tribe and nation.
blessings
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It’s really mind boggling that there the number of “untouchables” is equal to the population of our country…or that someone can live enslaved for a mere $13.
Thanks for sharing about the Dalit people and GFA. And thanks for being a part of The 40 Day Fast.
Kat