Saved by Nails Garden

Today we are spending another day at the halfway home. We had the honor to sit on the floor sharing a simple meal with beautiful girls who have gone through indescribable horrors and pains. Although I didn't even finish my plate I consider it the best meal I have had in India. I believe the best meals are not the ones with the best food but instead it is about who you share it with. And before God's table everyone is welcome!

I am excited to announce that Saved by Nails has started a new project at the halfway home. Today we handed over the money to complete a garden where each girl in the halfway home can plant her own plant, vegetable, or fruit tree. It will be called Saved by Nails Garden. Coincidentally, it is raining today for the first time since we landed in India. We will have photos and other updates about it in a few months.

Right now Naomi, Trudy, and Jennifer are giving facials and painting nails for the women and Slav and Charlotte are doing another heartbreaking interview with a woman who was rescued and now is serving in the halfway home. Although she has been free for a long time our well-meaning questions bring back of lot of pain of torture, lies, and brokenness. Our resolve to end this atrocity has never been greater.

On Friday, we had the opportunity to interview two pimps. It was really surprising to find out that many pimps are very broken inside. They need our help and compassion too.

On Saturday, we had the morning and afternoon off to reflect over our first week in India. Slav and I had a of of fun surprising the girls with flowers, mango juice, chocolate, spicy chips and a personal note. The saying is true: "You can never go wrong with flowers and chocolate when it comes to women!" A woman who is hoping to get out of the brothel came by our place to wash our clothes. She did not have money to pay her rent, which was going to be due the next day. Her landlord said he would rape her if she did not pay on time. And she had no money. We were told that she was suicidal. We decided to cover her expenses as a team. And you should have seen her joy! I am convinced that we can do small things with great love.

In the evening we took a rickshaw to a slum church. We thoroughly enjoyed the songs and our whole team got honored with a flowers. Trudy and Slav preached great messages that were well received.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach in the morning at a large church in the Dharavi slum about God's love. This is the largest slum in Asia and was featured in the movie Slumdog Millionaire. After a nice home cooked meal we were off to another church in the slum. There I preached a simple message on that Jesus is coming soon!

Excited about rain,

Vijay