Shoe Story #3: Sue

Meet Sue*

I (Krista) met Sue at the Children’s Home here that we have had the opportunity to hang out at. The last time I was there, I heard her story and had to share it with you.

Sue was born into a very high caste, Braham family in the Hindu religion. Because of this she was married at the age of seven (an arranged one of course)! She was a very devout Hindu and lived in her village, just outside of Kathmandu, with her husband’s family for years. As she grew older she developed what she called a “mental illness.” She said she “would sit in one spot and never move and hardly ever eat.” She was in this almost catatonic state for 18 years! In this state she and her new family searched for healing. They consulted many “Gurus” of the Hindu faith and even some witch doctors, but nothing seemed to help. One day, twelve years ago a team of believers came to her village to share and found her there. They prayed over her and immediately she was healed!! At seeing this, she and her mother-in-law became believers! They right at once gave up their Hindu faith! Others were not so moved….her husband and her daughter wanted nothing to do with her new found faith and they left her.

Her husband left her for another woman and her daughter went with him. He began a new family and now they have nothing to do with Sue – they are actually over in the States. Sue and her mother-in-law stayed very close and took care of each other. They joined a community and grew in their faith. A few years ago, her mother-in-law passed away. Sue was left all alone at this point with no family. Through the community she was a part of, she learned about a Children’s Home that existed. So she visited this home and immediately was welcomed and fell in love with it.

Today, if you took a walk in Sue’s shoes, you would wake up alone in a village outside of Kathmandu. As the sun was rising you would tend to your farm and cattle and do the daily tasks around your home. You would then begin the lonely one hour journey by foot on winding, dirt roads into Kathmandu. Your journey would end at a Children’s Home where you loved on and helped care for 50 orphan children. There you would find love and acceptance – a new family given to you by your new Father – a daughter and lots of grandchildren. At the Children’s Home, she calls the House Mom her daughter….a “daughter that He gave me since mine left.” You would find purpose and hope for your life, and a way to serve the loving Father who healed you.

This beautiful woman was so excited to share her story with me. It is amazing to see her strong faith and joy! Her life is a testimony to the power of His love and to the love of His followers. Here is just one example of what the Big Man is doing in Nepal through healings and the love of His people.

As we take some steps in Sue’s shoes, may the Father open our eyes to the areas in our lives that He has brought healing and restoration, and may we seek out ways to show others that same healing love.

*Names have been changed for security reasons.