BEAUTIFUL INT’L WOMEN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE

On February 14, 130 women gathered for a one day conference, and a second meeting on February 25, both in central India. Our focus was on physical health and body shaming in India. The latter is something that is common in India and a significant challenge for many women. Husbands and children alike criticize and shame their wives and mothers’ bodies, creating a web of generational shame, hurt and rage. We also addressed nutrition and the vital role a woman plays in creating and encouraging health within her family. Speakers were Dee Cook, Kathy Miller and Billie Seekins and Grace Tantarpale.

Body shaming in India often goes unspoken, buried under cultural expectations that a woman should simply endure criticism about her appearance in silence. For many women in these two gatherings, this was the first time they had ever heard someone say out loud that the way they’d been treated wasn’t right, and that God sees their worth differently than their families sometimes do.

Some highlights on body shaming: 1. I belong to God who made me. 2. My body carries life, not shame. 3. God sees me – Hagar’s story reminds us that there is no situation so desperate that God does not see us or care for us. 4. Being misunderstood is not a failure; Jesus himself was misunderstood. 5. Have respect and dignity for your own body, it is the temple of God the Holy Spirit. 6. Pray with a pure heart for those who mistreat you, just as Jesus prayed for those who mistreated him.

Psalm 139 is a wonderful portion of Scripture we looked into for direction and insight. Another is Ecclesiastes 12:13, which helps with the purpose for our life before God. Understanding body shaming in India through the lens of Scripture gives these women a foundation that no cultural criticism can shake. Special thanks for the prayers and financial support which enable this important part of the ministry to continue.