Are you Reading This?

Saturday morning we went to the market . . . not to buy vegetables or sample local food, although we did end up doing a bit of that. Our purpose was to meet some people and ask if we could pray with them as well as give them a bottle of cold water on this VERY hot morning in Guyana. A simple task - offer prayer and a bottle of water - refreshment for the spirit and the body. We approached a stand with 2 young women selling eggplants, okra and a few unidentifiable vegetables. One of the young women came over and we began to chat. Her name is Rachma, she is 14 years old. Her family lives in a neighboring village and they come to the market every weekend. Behind her sat another young woman, a bit older who looked like she was ignoring us. When I attempted to talk to the second girl, Rachma said - she can’t hear you, she is deaf and she doesn’t talk either. Rachma explained she is my older sister, Rose - sometimes she understands, sometimes she doesn’t. As we continued to speak with Rachma, I asked her if she went to school. Her huge smile quickly disappeared and she said, I finished the 4th grade, but then my Mom wanted me to stay home and take care of Rose. “Do you read?”, I asked. Her shaking head said it all. I could feel the disappointment in her voice as she said, No. I can’t read. The change in Rachma’s demeanor said it all. This young girl wanted to read. She would’ve loved to continue her education. But like so many young women around the world, family demands take precedent over their education. I thought of my nieces. I can hear Bailey, who is 7 reading a book as she sits on Grammy’s lap and I thought what a very different life Bailey has from Rachma. Thankfully, the YWAM base in Guyana has a literacy program and we were able to give Rachma the phone number and invite her to the base to see if she might want to come to the classes. We had an opportunity to encourage Rachma - speak truth to her that she is intelligent and has gifts, which reminded me of the scene from the move The Help - “You is smart, You is kind, You is important” - that was the message we wanted Rachma to hear - we also told her how much God loves her, sees her and He too thinks she is smart - in fact He created her. Her smile returned and she asked if we would be back again to the market. A compelling invitation that makes me want to return to Guyana. Please say a prayer for Rachma and Rose - and remember - if you are reading this - you have a great gift that so many do not have.