Sapna,whose name means ”Dream”..

Obstacles and hardships have not stopped Sapna Lama from dreaming.

She is living up to her name. Originally from Nepal and a Buddhist all her life, Sapna gave her life to Jesus fifteen years ago. She and her husband live in New Delhi with their two daughters…

Sapna and her husband Dilip are not rich. They make about $ 200 a month between the two of them. Considering their rent is about a third of that, a liter of milk costs about $1, a return bus ticket to church $ 2 for the family, a kilo of rice $1, a kilo of chicken $3, they live a very simple life.

Dilip and Sapna are very committed family group leaders. They live in a tiny apartment on the fifth floor of a building (no elevator!) in a crowded part of Delhi. They serve the members of their family group and are known for their sacrificial spirit. They faithfully give their tithe even when finances are tight. For special missions contribution (we have a lot of places to reach out to in this vast country) Sapna stays up late into the night to make “momos” (dumplings) she then sells to give the money to the church. She makes about $1 or $2 every time she does this.

This wonderful sister has had her share of challenges in the last few years. Five years ago she gave birth to a still born baby boy. She delivered her baby in a government hospital in deplorable conditions. After her baby was born (husbands are not allowed in the delivery room) she was left on the hospital table for several hours. She never saw her son who was whisked away to be buried that same day. Burials in India always happen on the day of the death as there are no facilities to keep bodies. She describes those few hours during which no one was allowed to see her as a terrible time.

When I went to see her the next day she had been moved to a room full of new mothers and their newborn babies. The insensitivity of the situation was compounded by the fact that she had to share a single bed with two other women and their babies. We prayed and cried together. Even during those traumatic moments Sapna displayed a courage and faith that were very inspiring. She managed to smile through her grief as we spoke of God’s faithfulness.

The pain will never completely go away. Sapna often thinks about her little boy. God gave Dilip and Sapna another child, a second daughter a couple of years after that. They continue to serve faithfully and tirelessly. I saw Sapna last Sunday when she spoke at a family group leaders’ retreat. After speaking she sat on the side doubled up in pain. She has gall bladder stones and needs an operation. She still managed to smile and give in spite of her physical pain.

I am always so challenged by the strength and determination of the Indian women. In a society that does not respect women and where it is still considered a curse to be born female the women disciples display amazing courage and faith. I am honored to be called their sister.

If you have stories of courage and encouragement to share, please send them to us at nadine.templer@dtoday.net, meghna.thomas@dtoday.net, or elvi.levang@dtoday.net.