Piercing the Darkness
A Miracle on Wheels That Combats the Ugliest Places
There are places on this earth few people venture into…and for good reason. They are miserable places where life has far less value than the almighty dollar, inhumanity seems to reign, and women and children suffer most.
They are red-light districts, and their depravity is indescribable, but as bleak as these places are, hope can find its way in, seemingly trespassing as it shines its light and pierces the darkness. God is working, proving that nothing reigns above Him. His mercy and grace cannot be stopped, even in the most loathsome of environments.
It isn’t easy to find openings in the walls evil builds, but it is possible. It took a creative idea and with God’s help we’ve found one. Together we are regularly venturing into India’s red-light districts. Our Hand of Hope Project GRL medical vans drive right up to the brothels and have been nothing short of a rolling miracle for thousands.
Here, women are continually held under the watchful eye of their pimps and captors. They are considered property and expected to work tirelessly. Multiple women may live in one tiny room; their children often sleeping under the beds. Hygiene and health care are not even a consideration. They try their best to take care of their family, hoping to save the next generation, so they have no time or money for health concerns. And medical care is very expensive.
The truth remains that women hold more value if they are healthy and able to work. Using that cold economic fact to the ladies’ advantage, our Project GRL vans go boldly into these areas and provide free medical care. Because it benefits those watching eyes, the women are allowed to participate. They freely walk into our fully equipped vans where they are examined, receive testing they may require, and leave with the medication they need. It is excellent medical care and much more.
The five vans we currently run in India and Nepal serve over 3,000 ladies, going into 44 different locations and covering all the major red-light districts.
This is nothing less than a miracle for the ladies that you see here, because for them, life is difficult day in and day out,” Tuli Mitra, director of the Project GRL vans, says. “Because they are restricted inside the red-light area, they don’t go out a lot. It’s stigma; it’s shame. She may not be physically bonded, but she doesn’t know anything else.
“Initially they’re scared to get into the van. Then it becomes a safe space where they can talk about their life. I see patients and their handler is standing right outside the van, yet we’re building trust with the community. According to them, it’s their safe space and it’s our joy to bring that right to their doorstep.”
While the women wait to be seen, they can watch Joyce teaching the truth of God’s Word in their language. When they get inside, they are treated with love and respect. And as they come back time after time, relationships are built that solidify their value as God’s daughters. Lives are changing!
Tuli is full of passion to continue this work because of women like Ritu, whose story is difficult to even imagine, yet in the midst of great pain she recently gave her life to Christ and was baptized.
“I was very young when my family gave me in marriage,” Ritu shares. (She believes she was 10 or 11 years old.) “My husband started torturing me. I returned to my family’s house and they brought me to Mumbai saying I’m going to work in a dance bar, but I found out I would be involved in prostitution.”
Because Ritu had a child to support, she says, “I stayed in this misery. I had nowhere else to go. My son studied until class nine then he committed suicide. I couldn’t overcome what happened.
“After coming to the Project GRL van and receiving Jesus, I felt a lot of peace in my heart. Through this medical van I came to know Jesus and because of that, I follow Jesus today.”
Tuli explains, “We have ladies who have come to the van because they heard from their friends they are getting good medicine. Then the community comes around her and helps her to know that she’s loved—there can be something that is possible for her future—there is a God Who loves her, and He desires change.
“Some are coming to church and getting baptized. We have had 14 baptisms in this last six months in Mumbai alone.”
I can think of few things more exciting than that, and my friend Tuli explains your role as a partner so beautifully. You’re going where others are not.
“When (people) don’t do anything, they are contributing to the problem. To people who walk with us day in and day out, though not physically but in spirit, we are very grateful for bringing Project GRL to India and Nepal, because you are bringing transformation in the hearts of people. God is moving because of your help.”
