“I was born and brought up in a non-Christian family. My husband and I live as farmers. After marriage, I was barren for a very long time. This is such a stigma in our village. I was not only ill-treated by my own husband, but I also was disrespected by my entire community. My husband drank every day and came home to physically abuse me. Life was not easy at all. I can only remember feeling depressed and nothing else.

“I came to know about this Gujarati program through a program guide. I listened to the program in my neighbour's home. I listened attentively as the message drew me in. I started listening regularly.

“One time, the speaker said the Lord is our caretaker. This broke me down. I had to live on the defensive all my adult life. I was tired and torn down. The very news – that God himself will take care of me if only I ask – was life to me. I surrendered to Jesus at that very instant. My peace, joy, and hope now came only from Christ, and it was real, pure, and eternal.

“My story does not stop here. I joined a women's prayer group. These women became my support system in Christ. We spent time in prayer with the guidance of the monthly prayer calendar.

“I began being a better wife to my husband despite his faults, because the Bible teaches me to do that. My husband improved. He does not drink anymore or abuse me. The quality of my marriage improved.

“I am still barren, but we continue to pray and hope for a miracle.” – from a Women of Hope listener

* The picture is a representation, not the actual woman in the testimony.