Asmita's story

We looked after her father till he died of HIV - an old man. Her mother has HIV too - but has not been much in contact with Jeevan Sahara.

She came last week with her mother. After her mother had been examined she told Sheba her story.

Asmita (pseudonym of course) has been recently married. She is looking to try and get a job in the police. As with many who get married - the couple was blessed with a pregnancy.

But Asmita's mother-in-law had other plans. She wanted Asmita to get the police job. She insisted that Asmita abort. Finally Asmita did. Our "Medical Termination of Pregnancy" Act allows for a wide range of reasons to end an unborn child's life. Many things that are legal are not right.

Today this young woman is a wreck. On the outside she maintains her poise. On the inside it is a different story. She suffers from painful and irregular blood flows. She feels physically weak. But most heart-breakingly, whenever she sees little children, she remembers her own unborn one.

What do you say to a sister like Asmita? Mercifully, God gave Sheba words of comfort and truth. Words that helped Asmita verbalise and seek forgiveness and healing for the loss. There is no simple solution, but there is the path of forgiveness and reconciliation. Our Lord has told us that we receive comfort that flows out of His sufferings, and allows us to comfort others in any kind of distress.

We don't know what the next steps in this young woman's life will be. But we are so grateful that with all our limitations, that we were able to minister in a small way to her. Another family who we have come to know because of the challenge of HIV - but into which we are able to shine at least a small ray of light and hope.