Priscilla Winter was sixteen-year-old in 1858 when she arrived in India. Though born in India to her Anglican ministers. She grew up in England. In 1857 her brother died in uprising against British rule. She decided to love Indians and serve them. She started her medical work though not trained as medical professional by dispensing medicines to women in the banks of Yamuna river in Delhi. With the help of White Ladies Association’ she started a small dispensary. In 1864, she observed the cholera epidemic and started the first hospital for children and women in 1867 in Delhi. In 1876 at the age of 39 she died, but her enduring legacy is the St. Stephen’s hospital. During the pandemic with its own oxygen making plant, had served Delhi people in an exemplary manner.
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrew 13:16) Priscilla Winter did not neglect to do good even to those who killed her brother.
1) Do Good: God has called his children to do good. A neem tree would give bitter fruit, because it is the nature. Born-again believers have nature of doing good as God is good. The challenge is to do good to those who do not understand, criticize, oppose, harass and harm us. Peter exhorts that such people could be disarmed or silenced: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” (I Peter 2:15)
2) Share: Forgiving enemies or opponents is exemplary and sharing with them our life and resources is demonstration of Christ love and power. Priscilla was willing to share her life, all resources for those who killed her brother.
3) Sacrifice: Priscilla sacrificed her future for a purpose of bringing glory to God, showing love of God, and extending the Kingdom of God. Millions of missionaries risked their lives to serve humanity and brought transformation in the nook and corner of the world.
Is my life a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord?