THE CURSE OF THE WIDOW - INDIA

THE CURSE OF THE WIDOW IN INDIA

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

 September 27, 2011

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Roxanne and I returned last night from India.  The sights, sounds and people of India are still fresh in my mind and spirit.  We were guests of Apostle Samson Rajkumar, Mission In Action.

I preached eleven (11) times in many places. In the future, I will speak often about those places.  However, when I found out the plight of the widows in India, I knew the Lord sent me to India as a deliverer.  I did not have any prior knowledge of the plight of the widows in India.  

The traditional culture of India places the widows under a curse.  No matter how young they are, they are not allowed to re-marry; they are shunned and disinherited by their families; they are not allowed to attend family gatherings; they are outcasts of society and untouchables.  The Hindu culture burns the widow on the grave of the deceased husband.  This is known as sati.  The British banned the practice in 1947.  However, this “curse” still exists in remote areas.  The cultural stigma of the “curse of the widow” is still part of the culture of all of India.

The first and second day was lecturing at the Bible School.  The third day was speaking at the Pastor's conference.  It was the fourth day before we went to speak to the widows.  That was when I first heard of the "curse".  Mission In Action has a home for the widows.  Apostle Samson also uses the widows to help care for the orphans.  This gives them purpose and identity.

I then understood clearly why Brother Samson had not only sought me out, but had graciously pursued me to go to India.  I get many invitations to go all over the world.  However, I am very careful that I am sent and will not go unless the Lord speaks to me; or the host minister has built the relationship in a way whereby we have mutual respect.  All of these things Brother Samson did with great grace and graciousness.

I also saw clearly another purpose to my “walk” and “calling” as a minister of the gospel.  Even in the church of the USA, where our women are liberated and respected, there are still many cultures within the church that have their women under the “curse of the woman”.  I broke out of this cultural intimidation in my late 40’s.   Many church cultures in the USA continue rejecting and even ostracizing the “curse of a woman pastor”.  This is as prevalent in well intentioned women’s circles as it is amongst male pastors.  The Lord called me to Pastor in 1990.  When the call came, I died to my identity of a woman that I had known up until that day.  In faith, I answered the call.   The Lord told me, “Never tell a man of God your gifts and callings, I will tell the ones I want to know.”  That one command liberated me from any issues concerning being a woman pastor or anyone rejecting my calling.

After Don passed away, I was prepared.  I knew there would be resistance to a widow pastoring a church.  So, I planted both feet squarely, stood in the pulpit and backed down the not-so-subtle innuendos.  The Lord stood with me.  If the Lord stands with you, who can stand against you?

Brother Samson again visited our church in February after Don passed in January.  He invited me to India.  I wasn’t ready at that time.  I still had unfinished business, and the church needed to see that I was steady and firm footed.  I knew I would have to stand strong in the year after Don’s passing.  Many wolves, take-over-devils, and vultures would again try to test me.

As all of you know, the church, Eastgate Ministries, the Parousia of the Lord and the congregation continue even stronger than before.

As Paul said, I am not commending myself.  I am writing this to reveal how the Lord moved through this calling to send me to India to stand strong in the face of the “curse of the widow” and break the curse, not only off the nation, but the church, and the people.

If I had given that religious spirit any place in my life or the ministry the Lord entrusted to me, I would not have had the courage or strength to stand against it in a nation where it has been engrafted for centuries.

Will this make a difference in India?  At least I gave it my best shot.  The Lord was with us.  He opened the door, paid the way, strengthened us, and confirmed His Word.  I can believe Him to break the “curse” through the power of His Blood and the Holy Spirit.

I also broke the “curse of poverty”, “curse of the woman”, “curse of the man” and “curse of the ground”.  I preached and proclaimed that every curse was broken at the Cross.  However, it is not automatic.  It has to be appropriated by Faith, the Holy Spirit and the Blood of Jesus.

We visited the tomb of the Apostle Thomas.  I felt the presence of the Lord.  I will talk more about this in the days to come.  I will tell of the many churches we visited, the poor we fed, and the orphanages; of the pastors who visited us and the great grace of Apostle Samson’s ministry team in India.

I would like to commend Apostle Samson Rajkumar to the Body of Christ for his great heart and compassion for the people of India.  He has a great compassion on the widows, orphans, and the poor.  He has a Bible School with the purpose of preparing pastors to go into India.  He has a young woman attending the Bible School from Burma.  The Burmanese will not allow men to come out of their country because there is a shortage of men.  Brother Samson is training young women as well as men to be pastors.

Prophecy given by Pastor John Sielski 9/17/11 (the day we left for India):

There are both many women who are bleeding from their secret place of the Father's accepting & dignifying love, as well as many untouchables... who are awaiting the touch of the living word in your heart and mouth. We love you and we are praying for you! The word is... "'Let us go to the other side!'  Don't let this present storm effect you. Great deliverance is awaiting your arrival on the other side of the Pond!" Love and Blessings... always... ~J&K:-)

In the Service of the Lamb of God,

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Eastgate Ministries, Inc.