From Idols to the Living God

In a humble village surrounded by dusty paths and green paddy fields, lived a young girl named

Lakshmi. Her family was poor, but deeply religious. In their backyard stood a row of stone

idols — old, cracked, and weathered by the sun and rain — yet considered sacred by Lakshmi’s

family.

Every morning, Lakshmi would rise before dawn, fill a small brass pot with milk, and walk

barefoot to the backyard. There, she would perform abhishekam — a sacred bath for the idols

— pouring the milk slowly over their heads while chanting prayers. Her hands were small, but

her heart was full of devotion. She believed, as she had been taught, that by honoring these

gods, her family would be blessed.

But the blessings never came.

Her father’s salary was not enough to look after the family. Her mother stitched torn sarees for

pennies. They struggled to meet their daily family needs. Yet Lakshmi never gave up. Each

morning, she poured the milk — the best they had — on cold, lifeless stone, hoping the gods

would see her faith and bring a change.

One summer, something unexpected happened.

A local church pastor invited children from the village to attend a week-long Bible camp

organized by Children’s Camps International (CCI). Lakshmi’s parents hesitated at first, but

eventually allowed her to go. “At least she’ll be fed well for a week,” her mother said quietly.

From the very first day, Lakshmi felt something different. The camp was filled with laughter,

songs, colorful stories from the Bible, and kind camp counsellor who spoke about Jesus — not

as a distant god, but as a personal Saviour. She heard about how Jesus loved children, healed

the sick, fed the hungry, and gave His life to forgive sins.

By the fifth day, her heart was stirred. During a quiet prayer session, Lakshmi knelt down and

whispered,

“Jesus, I believe You are the real God. Come into my heart. Be my Saviour.”

That moment changed everything.

She returned home with a new light in her eyes. She told her parents about Jesus — how He

hears prayers, how He doesn’t demand milk or offerings, but instead offers forgiveness, love,

and eternal life.

The next morning, Lakshmi did not go to the backyard with her milk pot.

Instead, she knelt in her small room and prayed in the name of Jesus.

She also started to attend follow-up program every week end at the local church. Her parents

watched silently for weeks. Pastor Rajan who ran camp also visited this family and shared

about Jesus with them. Then something began to change in their hearts too. They noticed how

peaceful Lakshmi had become. There was no fear in her voice anymore — only joy.

Inspired by their new faith, and with the money they once used for rituals, the family bought a

second cow. They began selling fresh milk in the village. Their backyard — once home to

lifeless idols — became a place of prayer and thanksgiving. In time, they started a small dairy

business. With God’s favor, it flourished.

Today, Lakshmi’s family is not just financially stable — they are spiritually alive. Her parents

accepted Jesus, and their home now hosts Bible studies and prayer gatherings. Every year, they

sponsor several village children to attend the same CCI Bible camp that changed Lakshmi’s

life.

What once was wasted in lifeless rituals is now being poured into living hope.

“Jesus is the true God who hears us,” says Lakshmi with a smile and confidence. “We used to

pour milk on idols that could never drink. But now, Jesus fills our cups with blessings

overflowing — not just milk, but joy, peace, and purpose.”