This month Crossroads launches its latest micro-development project, "The Lydia Project". Planted in the Kanpur Dehad region of India the Lydia Project will take 10 Christian widows from the slums of Kanpur Dehad provide them professional training in sewing/tailoring, the tools of the trade (sewing machines, overlockers, etc.), and the necessary startup materials/supplies to begin a small entrepreneurial business. This newest micro-development project comes on the heels of the sewing project started in the Tawang region, in May, amongst Buddhist converts.

One great aspect of these micro-development projects is they allow us the opportunity to fulfill the Scriptural instruction to "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:1) in a practical life changing way. For many of these women, young and old alike, suffering is a way of life. This is particularly true for widows living in the slums - they are often subjected to abuse, physically and socially, they have no one to protect or provide for them, they have no advocates to plead their case, and no voice! They are the modern day widows of Jesus' Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8).

This Lydia Project addresses some of the suffering these women endure by providing them the opportunity as well as the tools to earn a living. A small thing like the ability to earn a living not only enables them to provide food and clothing for their children but it puts an end to some of the exploitation they face daily.
 

A big "thank you" to all of you who made this project possible.

Now please join us in prayer as we launch this new and exciting project. Our prayer is that God will bless our efforts resulting in a new beginning for these women, an end to the nightmare they've been living.

Anyone who'd like to jump in and play a part in changing these women's lives can do so. Your gifts will help purchase the additional fabrics and threads needed to maintain the viability of the project until it can become self-sustaining. To donate simply click the donate button below (be sure to specify in the comment box that your donation is for the Lydia Project)