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Every Life Matters
by By Shannon Panjwani, Madhipura Christian Hospital, India
1 March 2007
Indian Woman

“You must come and see Sharmilly,” begged Geeta, a good friend of mine who faithfully attends the Bible club. “She is very upset and wants to abort her baby.”

Five months into her pregnancy, Sharmilly had just discovered that her fourth child was yet another girl. On ultrasound, the child was perfect in every way. Her only “fault” was her gender, and for this her mother was considering aborting her.

In India boys are prized and girls are too often unwanted, their births mourned if they make it to birth at all. The dowry system drives this de-valuing of girl children. Parents cannot help but think of the almost unbearable burden of debt they will incur to get their daughters married.

That night I pleaded with Sharmilly to spare the life of her child, sharing with her the beautiful words from Psalm 139:13-16 that speak of God’s intimate creation and knowledge of an unborn child. I left feeling the weight of the world in my heart, not knowing what Sharmilly’s decision would be.

Two weeks later at Bible club, I was so happy to hear she had decided to keep the baby. I pray this child will be a wonderful blessing to her family and that perhaps somehow through her life salvation may come to them.

A knock on the door one afternoon brought a very welcome guest, the wife of one of the Christian men in our small church. We have been praying for her salvation the last two years, as she has bitterly opposed her husband’s faith in Christ. As we sat down, she said, “I know you think I am rebelling against God, but I am not. It is very difficult for me to think of leaving the religion my parents have taught me since I was a child. But I have been asking God to show me if I am on the wrong path.”

She explained that she had stopped attending church with her husband because she was unable to understand anything that was being said. I offered to teach her step-by-step through the Gospel. She said she would like that and would talk to her husband about coming to meet with me. We pray she will follow through.


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