Noor is 50 years old. She lives in a slum in Bangalore, India, called "Modi Road." Earlier this year, she completed a training program offered at Deepam Center, near her home, where she learned hand-crafting skills.

The training at Deepam Center is part of the ministry of ITMI's David and Taru Kumar, reaching women and children living in the slum, whose population is mostly Muslim.

Noor shares her story,

I am 50 years old; I came from Tamil Nadu (a state in India) to settle down here in Bangalore City. I have my children and two grandchildren from them.

I never came out of my house but stayed within four walls of my house and never went to see the outside world (she meant that she had no freedom to go out of her house)."

Prior to Deepam, I had been to two training institutions in two different places for the same training; since I did not find there the kind of support and encouragement I needed from the instructors, I left them. When I heard about Deepam, I joined Deepam.

Unlike the other two institutions, Deepam is quite different; here, I found people are given more importance.

I began to learn new things; the teachers here are very supportive and encouraging. I had never travelled far from my house alone, but for the first time, I traveled alone for the graduation program, which was a new experience. It was my first time being mingled with different people in a gathering like this, and I was surprised by the good treatment and care being shown.

I was so happy to see how Taru was treating everyone equally. I was inspired by the Word of God from the Bible spoken by Steve sir and David sir. This was a very new and enjoyable experience I ever had in my life.

There are many women like me who are always staying inside the house, I request you to pray and give them also a chance to take a step forward in their life. On behalf of everyone, I heartily thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a good memory in our life.

David tells us more about Noor and her classmates' graduation from the Deepam training program,

It was satisfying to reward 15 ladies for their disciplined training and hard work for six months. On Feb 21, 2023, each received a certificate of completion. Joy and satisfaction were very much evident on their faces as they received their reward.

We were blessed to have  Steve Evers with us, and he brought a wonderful and encouraging message from God’s Word for them. They were all blessed by the message as they do not really hear such messages from their mosques.

They all had a story to tell when given time to tell of their experience during their training. It was difficult to hear their painful stories; none of them came to pass the time. Each had a clear purpose, the purpose of extending a helping hand to their struggling family.

They came to Deepam Center to receive the training, but what they received was much more than just training.

Our trainer Vanitha worked hard for them. They would start their day with prayer, and at the end of their time, they would all gather and talk about their family situation and pains.

Vanitha taught them how to pray for one another. This is something they never did before in their life. For some of them, the time of prayer and reading stories from the Bible has changed their thoughts about Christians and Jesus.

Please pray for them that they will come to know the Lord.

Noor continues to upgrade her skills at Deepam. Often after her class, she sits with Vanitha and spends time in prayer and talking.

Please pray for Vanitha and Taru as they spend time with her and help her understand the teachings of the Bible.

There are many like Noor Jahan who need opportunities to come out of their houses so that they can hear about Jesus. Please pray for more women to come out of their houses and that we will be able to minister to them.

Thank you for your unfailing love, prayers, and support so that we can continue to spread the love of God in the lives of children, women, and men who come across our way.

Your partnership is kingdom oriented, and you are involved in the business of constructing the kingdom of God in the lives of those who have no hope of eternal life.  Every bit of your support is being used to build the kingdom of God in the lives of needy people.