Jessy

A true story of courage and faith from India.

(If you have doubts about your future, if you are worried about what you will study at Uni and where you will work, then this story is for you.) 

Jessy was born in South India in the small town of Sathangkulam in Tirunelveli district in a loving, God fearing family.  She was fourth in a family of five children. Throughout her life, Jessy says she felt God show her the next step and lead her so beautifully.

“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

-Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

When Jessy finished her year 12 at school, she realized that their family was running on a tight budget. Her father was a tailor and business was not great. Her maternal uncle who had visited the family a few months back had told her to contact him if she needed any help. After praying about it, and asking her parents, Jessy wrote a postcard to her Uncle Susikaran who was a doctor in the city of Chennai. She explained the situation and asked him if he could please find her some work in the city.

Jessy’s uncle told her to take a bus and come as he had thought of a plan. He had also sent her the money for a bus ticket. The next day, Jessy packed a small bag with a couple of clothes and her precious Tamil Bible, and left home to reach the huge, noisy, bustling city of Chennai.

The year was 1995 and I was then expecting our second child. Jessy's uncle was my father. Dad had asked Jessy to come, seeing that I could do with an extra pair of hands at this time. As Jessy's family had lived in a small town and we were in the city, we had never met before. As my father left Jessy's eyes filled with tears. There were many questions in her mind.

Had she made the right decision?

Can she adjust to this city life?

How will life be with this strange family in this unknown place?

As Dad left, he told Jessy that if she stepped out in courage, trusting God, He will work in her life to make her a blessing to many. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.”

-Proverbs 3:5&6 NIV

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Yes, Jessy entered my world days before I went into the hospital for the delivery of our second son. She was a sister I never had. She became part of our family and we all soon welcomed baby Meshak into our family. Little did I know that God was training Jessy and writing her story in the process . As she helped me with household chores and cooking, she got hands-on experience. She learnt to change nappies, sing lullabies, and played with our 4 year old Mike, reading him stories and building towers with blocks. 

Jessy's needs were few. She slept on a mat, read her Bible first thing each morning and ate and relished all the food made at home. The best part of her week was coming to church with us. She enjoyed the hymns of praise and followed the day's message with an eager heart in rapt attention.

When Meshak was 6 months old, we wanted to thank Jessy for her help and asked her if she wanted to study further. These months had shown Jessy that she loved children and she wanted to train to be a nursery teacher. Together we visited, enquired about, and enrolled Jessy in Balar Kalvi Nilayam, a renowned centre for nursery training in the city. 

Jessy stayed in the hostel on campus and visited us on weekends. Jessy studied well and passed with flying colours. On one of her visits to our home she met Ranjit's loving aunt Felicia who was heading a large school in a nearby city. She was delighted to meet Jessy and hear she had completed the course. Once again, God had paved the way for her.

Jessy got a job as a nursery teacher in the renowned Kalaimagal Kalvi Nilayam in Erode. She could stay in the hostel there and so food and lodging was looked after too. 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

-Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Within a few years, Jessy got married and moved to Salem in South India where she lives today with her loving husband and son. Jessy works as a Nursery teacher in a school near her home, she also takes tuitions at home for students who need extra help. Jessy’s husband works as a painter and together they have built a loving Christian home for their son. Years have passed and now Jessy's son Kingston is preparing to apply for a seat in medical college.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.”

-Psalm 138:8a KJV

( Write the verses and pray for yourself. Claim them in faith. I am praying that Jessy’s story will help you step out in courage to be all that the Lord has called you to be)