The Waddari: Peace in Tragedy
Originally posted at: https://www.global-teams.net/blog/general/2018/10/30/the-waddari-peace-in-tragedy/
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15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World – Day 3
Shanti was 25 years old when her husband of 12 years died. She needed to work hard to feed her four children, the oldest of whom was ten. During the previous five years of her husband’s sickness, their family tried everything. They visited doctors, performed various rituals and worship ceremonies, and sought help from witch doctors. Nothing helped.
As a last resort, someone encouraged them to go to a church because miracles, healings, and deliverances commonly happened there. For a few years, they went each month to receive prayer. Despite this, her husband’s condition slowly worsened, and finally he died.
Many relatives told her that Jesus had failed her; that she should stop going to church and return to her traditional gods and goddesses. But Shanti’s sister, the only believer in the family, encouraged her, saying, “Only Jesus can bring peace; turn to him.” Finally, in exhaustion, Shanti did just that. Peace flooded her heart, and her desire to live and provide for her children was restored. In surrender, she encountered the Prince of Peace in the midst of her mourning and suffering.
Caught in a cycle of poverty perpetuated by illiteracy, social injustice, and alcohol addiction, the Waddari work hard to survive. Mainly dispersed throughout South India, many families still move from place to place in search of work as their nomadic ancestors did. They often live in tents made of bamboo, tarp, and cloth, situated on the outskirts of cities or vacant plots of land. Historically, they are known for their skill in stone-cutting and digging wells, but now they often work as day-laborers in construction.
Ways to Pray:
- Pray for the hearts of Waddari people to be opened to Jesusí incredible love.
- Pray for others who have been devastated by sickness and tragedy to come to Jesus and ÿnd comfort and peace. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
- Pray for hope and wisdom for Christian workers and organizations to bring holistic transformation.