Moushie, as we lovingly call her, completed 60 years of stay and service with Mukti Mission.
Having heard the call to go to India, Moushie left for India in 1955. Her first assignment was to learn Marathi. She was sent to language school in Mahableshwar and never stopped practicing and doing her home work. She would was tempted many times to give up as it was a difficult language for a Westerner, but she continued persevering to reach her goal and was determined to allow her dreams to reach fruition.
Being greatly blessed with secretarial skills, she was the P.A. to the Superintendent (Chief Functionary) of Mukti. Having a deep passion to spread God’s love, Moushie along with her team travelled long distances in order that many people living in darkness would experience freendom, peace and forgiveness in their homes.
Moushie has a real heart for India and truly became one with the people. She looked after a group of girls in the flower house called ‘Frangipani’ and they were like her own daughters. She mothered them, nurtured them and helped them pursue their goals in life.
Moushie never wanted to go back to Australia and without any hesitation, she renounced her Australian citizenship to be a true Indian.
Often people would ask her “What is the secret of your success?”. She would quote one of her favourite verses in Isaiah “… He wakens me morning by morning, He wakens my ear to hear as disciples – as those who are taught.”.
You will always find Moushie in a neatly tucked saree with her hair pinned up and carrying a radiant smile which speaks volumes about her inner life. Always an early riser, her breakfast would often contain papaya and yogurt, which she says keeps her alert the whole day to recognise the needs of the weary and oppressed.
ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, WE WISH MOUSHIE GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS, JOY AND STRENGTH AS SHE CONTINUES THIS RACE!
MANY OTHER WOMEN ARE MAKING AN IMPACT LIKE MOUSHIE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT THEM?
Writen by Mukti’s caregiver – Shruti first came to Mukti Mission five years ago as a small 12 year-old girl with Down Syndrome. She comes from a kind family and has a mother, father, sister and brother. Her parents are farm laborers and when they would go to work, Shruti would be left alone at home. Her parents were worried that as she approached her teenage years, it would be difficult and dangerous for a teenage girl to remain alone at home. There were no special needs schools in any of the local towns surrounding their home. Her family was told about Mukti where there would be the opportunity of an education at the Special Needs School and a safe and loving home with the Violet family.
Mangala, Shruti’s house mother, says that it took Shruti about one month to settle in when she first arrived. She immediately loved school and loves to swing. She enjoys her friends and loves singing, painting and dancing. Mangala recalls that when Shruti first arrived she could only speak a few basic sentences but now she is quite a chatterbox. She and her best friend, Rehka, enjoy playing practical jokes on each other.
It was upon returning from a brief holiday at home that the Violet family noticed that Shruti had lost weight and was weak. Her energy levels were depleted. After further investigation at the Mukti Hospital and then in Pune, Shruti was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Her treatment took place under the care of the doctors and nurses at the Mukti Hospital. Shruti missed her friends and Violet family sisters during this time. She just couldn’t wait to be better and get back to school!
So what a joy it is for me now, some seven months later, to return to Mukti and see Shruti strong, vibrant and healthy. She had returned to school and is continuing to blossom within the safe and stimulating environment that the Violet family and the Special Needs School provides. The love and dedication of her housemother, Mangala and caregiver Martha, ensure that her cheeky little giggle and smile remain firmly in place.
Last evening, I was privileged to join the family for their daily hour of praise and worship and prayer. Shruti was enthusiastically singing and clapping along with the girls. During the week, the girls have been writing and trying to memorize the theme of the fortnight from the Special Needs School which is “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. I reflected on how precious Shruti is to God and how delighted He must be to see her fully restored to health and able to sing praises once again.
Finally, as I was leaving the family, I asked one of her sister’s what she thinks of when she thinks of Shruti. She said, ”beautiful”!
WOULD YOU STILL LIKE TO SEE THE LIVES OF OTHER CHILDREN IMPACTED JUST LIKE SHRUTI’S LIFE WAS?
Stuti comes from a volatile background. Although her parents are Christians, their family life was not filled with love. Her father is a day labourer who seeks to provide for his family with a very small wage. Stuti’s mother was unhappy with the situation.
Her parents would fight and with each voicing their opinion but they never compromised. Stuti’s parents had serious problems with their relationship and her home life became filled with turmoil. Instead of trying to find common ground, Stuti’s mother began to spend time outside of the home.
After a while, she decided that she wanted her freedom and did not want the responsibility of raising Stuti and her two big brothers. As a result, Stuti’s mom deserted her family and her parents were then divorced.
Stuti and her brothers still needed to attend school but their father could not work and take care of them at the same time. Stuti’s brothers were put into a boys’ hostel and her father brought her to Mukti.
Stuti was only five years old when she came to Mukti Mission and lived in the nursery. Because of the trauma in her home, Stuti was a very quiet little girl. When she first arrived, she sat by herself and did not mix with others.
Her housemother lavished attention and encouragement on Stuti. Now when asked why she likes to live at Mukti she said, “because my friends are here”.
She is still a shy and quiet girl but smiles most of the time. Her favourite game to play with friends is ligori – an Indian game with tiles and a ball.
One day her father came to visit. Stuti came to meet him. He noted, “my daughter is different”. He said, “She used to sit quietly most of the time. She must be happy here.” He was delighted that she was doing well. He saw that she was smiling and peaceful. Although Stuti enjoyed her father’s visit, she felt comfortable with being at Mukti and answered her father with, “Bye, come back again!”
Stuti continues to thrive at Mukti. She has a lovely, quiet countenance. She had the privilege to act as a flower girl in a Mukti wedding. She loved dressing up and carrying flowers.
Stuti enjoys her new home at Mukti. She has come through the turmoil and found a secure place to grow up. Her rough beginning was used to mold her into a peaceful young girl.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP MORE CHILDREN LIKE STUTI?
“I want her safe”, said Pari’s mother when she came to Mukti to leave her daughter. “I can not escape my lifestyle and work but I want Pari to have a choice,” her mother said determinedly as she made the decision to leave Pari at Mukti.
Pari was living in Northern India with her mother and father. The marriage of her parents was arranged by Pari’s maternal grandmother. Pari’s father took one look as his wife and fell in love. She was a very beautiful lady. Pari’s parents quickly married and moved far away from the mother’s relatives. The family was financially well off and had two girls and one boy.
Their lives seemed to be going dreamily.
Then a trip was planned to visit the mother-in-law. Upon arrival, the father knew he had been tricked. Pari’s grandmother lived in a very poor area in a very small house. He was angry, disgusted and felt tricked.
He told Pari’s mother to get out of the house and don’t come back. Two of their children stayed with their father.
She quickly called her cousin and left with Pari to live in the city. Without knowing, Pari’s mother had moved to the red light area of the city. Within a few weeks, she needed to make money for rent and began to work in the red light area. She became very concerned about Pari but found a room where she could stay while her mother worked. This worked for awhile but the boss wanted Pari out of the way and wanted Pari’s mother to focus on her work only.
Pari’s mother sought some counseling from a Christian lady. She suggested bringing Pari to Mukti Mussion. Her mother came with her boss to bring Pari. Mukti actually wanted both Pari and her mother stay for care at Mukti. Pari’s mother thought it was good for Pari but found it impossible to escape her work.
When Pari first entered the Frangipani home, she cried. Meera, her house mom, comforted her. Pari tearfully told Meera, “I will not stay”.
After a few days, Pari could see that Mukti was a safe and loving place. She is adjusting to her new home.
Pari is eight years old. She is a tall, graceful, and a quiet girl who likes to read story books.
She has made a good friend in Riya, her Frangipani sister.
Pari had never heard about God’s love for her. Today, in the Frangipani family, the love of God is demonstrated to Pari and to the others, in word and deed.