Sex and Salvation

Nireekshana clinic. It's an HIV and AID's clinic run by a wonderful couple who truly have God's heart for their own people, and many others. Simply put, the group of retired doctors and volunteers spend each day giving hope to some of the thousands of people that walk through their doors each month. They listen to their stories, counsel them, provide the medications needed and lavish God's love on them so that the people can live better, longer lives and continue caring for their families. And if they’re not in the clinic, they are going out into the communities.

The clinic is located just a mile or two away and has worked with BAS many times before. So as we are here again we were invited to come and do some teachings. We gladly did, many times. The second time we went they had gathered a whole group of children from the community, about one hundred in all. We joined the clinic staff in morning devotions and then lead all the children in worship. Girls sat on one side, boy's on the other, small children in the front, teens in the back, and they all raised their hands in praise.

Soon after worship is was our turn. We taught them all about keeping clean and the huge importance of washing ours hands regularly. We preformed dramas, used props and sang our little hearts out along with hand motions and all the kids joined in. As the morning faded into noon the older boys and girls were split up and the younger children sent to color. Emily and I followed the younger ones. After tracing and coloring our hands and many smaller ones, we helped each child wash their hands and served them a lunch of rice, curry, and boiled eggs. Once the children were served, we enjoyed helping ourselves to the same.

Tummy's now full we parted with the small children and joined our other teammates huddled into a small office room. We were going over our teachings about changes that happen in a girl’s body as we waited for the group to come. Before the girls could come in, the head madam came in. We gave her an outline of what we would be teaching and she was very happy, than she added “But I would also like you to talk about sex. You know, talk about how it is a gift from God. And also talk about abuse, when sex isn't good.” “You want us to tell them about sex? Isn't that something they learn from their moms or at school or something?” “Nope, they don't often find out until they are married off, and then it is quite shocking.” Everyone in our group was quick to set our eyes on our two married team members, Jenny and Louise “Well okay than, I guess we will teach them.”

Within just a few minutes the room filled to the brim with young girls from 12-18 years. We taught about physical changes, periods and yes we even taught them all about sex. Each wide eyed girl paused to let their jaws drop a bit as they were eating their small bowls of ice cream when Louise explained what sex was. During the teaching Emily shared what the bible said about how they were knitted together in their mother’s womb by God, how each one was created in his image and he made each one to be different. She shared about Jesus loving them so much that he gave his life on the cross as a bride price for them, and then rose again just to be able to be with them and love them. When she finished speaking she asked if any of the girls wanted a relationship with Him.... Ten girls raised their hands!

We prayed with them and introduced them to adults and other girls that would be able to answer more questions, then continued on with our teachings.

When we were all finished we asked the girls if they had any questions... they said nothing... We asked if had had learned anything..... silence.... “Anything? Did you learn anything new at all today?....” One small girl mumbled in a small voice to the translator, the translator looked at us with a beaming smile and repeated what the girl said. “It was all new!”