Earlier this year, Shanti* and her team from OM arrived in a small village in South Asia with a desire to share the love of Jesus. But what they saw broke their hearts.
Many of the children had long, dirt-caked fingernails and matted hair, some so neglected it had formed into dreadlocks. The physical neglect was a visible sign of deeper needs in the community. Shanti and her team realized that before they could speak about Jesus, they needed to show His love in action.
Partnering with the local church and community members, the team began cutting the children’s hair and nails. They taught basic hygiene and sanitation, helped clean up trash and worked to restore dignity to the village.
As they served, people began to ask, “Why are you doing this?” It was the moment Shanti had prayed for. “We’re Christians,” she said. “God loves you—and we do too.” That simple message opened the door to deeper conversations about faith and hope.
Over the next few weeks, as relationships grew and trust was built, four villagers made the decision to follow Jesus.
Today, a house fellowship meets weekly in that village for worship, prayer and Bible study. Shanti and the local church continue to disciple these new believers, helping them grow strong in their faith.
What began as a mission of physical cleaning became a powerful testimony of spiritual renewal. Shanti is grateful that God used something as simple as nail clippers and scissors to open hearts to the gospel.
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*Name changed for security reasons.
