'The Lord is my Shepherd'

Jesus lightens the burden of young girl living in the shadow of AIDS

Nirupama begins and ends each day with prayer to Jesus. Her favorite Bible passage is Psalm 23.

3 June 2009

Nirupama's family moved to the city hoping for a better life.

Instead they found nothing but misery.

Nirupama's father wasn't faithful to her mother and became infected with the HIV virus. The disease soon claimed his life, but not before he had passed it on to his wife.

Though they weren't infected, Nirupama and her siblings lived with the dark cloud of their father's actions hanging over their heads. In India HIV is considered a curse by the gods and those infected are shunned by society.

Nirupama and her brothers and sisters were treated like untouchables and rarely left their home because they feared the ridicule of other children.

Then a Mission India partner visiting HIV patients decided to invite their children to a Children's Bible Club. Nirupama was reluctant to join the club, worrying about being teased because of her mother's illness.

To her surprise she found a caring, accepting place that nourished her sad, lonely heart. The praise songs and Bible stories lightened her heavy burden, and Nirupama joyfully turned to Jesus to guide her through the pain of life.

Nirupama says her favourite Bible passage is Psalm 23. She attends church regularly, along with her brother, and often reads from the Bible with her mother, who is also now following Jesus.

You can help reach another child like Nirupama

Every 60 pence you give allows another boy or girl to take part in a Children's Bible Club. £24 will support a whole class of 40 children.

Mission India provides teacher training, lesson booklets published in India’s major languages, devotional materials and cassette recordings of songs in regional languages.

To make a donation over the phone please call us at 01435 863036.