This story was recounted for World Malaria Day, 25 April.
Lavenia was a widow, who, with her children continued to live with family members. The children couldn’t attend school and they lived in abject poverty.
Pastor Akshay walked by Lavenia’s hut every day. He watched Lavenia’s children playing in ragged clothes by the roadside, and his heart broke over their squalid living conditions. As he passed by, he often prayed in his heart that the Lord would provide a chance for him to show the love of Christ to this desperate family.
Many questions about Jesus
After many such days of observing the family’s need, Pastor Akshay and one of Lavenia’s family members struck up a conversation together. From then on, Pastor Akshay, and sometimes his wife, would stop to visit whenever they passed by. In time, their friendship blossomed and the family members had many questions about Jesus. They were curious about this God who loved people so sacrificially. Perhaps he was who their hearts needed.
Pastor Akshay loved this family, and he wanted to help them practically too, so arranged a mosquito net distribution at his church. Realising how much he really cared about them, they opened up even more to Pastor Akshay and asked him to pray for their sick children.
Now, together as a family, they sing and pray to Jesus with joyful hearts and healthier bodies. By seeing all Jesus had done for Lavenia and her family, some neighbours became interested in the God who loves and cares so much that not even one mosquito bite goes unnoticed!
