“As far as Esther and I are concerned, we have forgiven [them], and don’t take much interest in the trial.” These courageous words by Gladys move many towards forgiveness and peace in tough times.
Gladys Staines is the widow of Australian missionary, Graham Staines who was burnt alive in his jeep due to communal hate in January 1999. In the blink of an eye, Gladys’s world came tumbling down as she lost her loving husband, and her two sons, Timothy and Philip. President, K.R. Narayana called this incident ‘a crime that belonged to the inventory of black deeds’.
Gladys recalls her husband saying that he would continue to be in India for as long as God wanted, “I wasn’t here because I was Graham’s wife but because God also called me here”. The bravery, compassion and courage Gladys has shown since the tragic incident have not only brought encouragement to many, but have brought hope to the patients of the leprosy clinic she runs. Her determination to continue God’s work in India, has blessed uncountable people who otherwise would be left to die.
Padma, a woman at the Mayurbhanj Leprosy Home in Odissa says Graham Staines was like a father to her and now Gladys (who she calls ‘didi’) is like a mother to everyone at the Home. Padma was severely wounded and abandoned by her family at a tender age of ten. She was brought to the Home by Graham Staines who helped her get better. As Gladys continues her husband’s vision, many people at the Home, light up when they see Gladys and they feel a sense of hope.
Gladys misses her husband’s leadership, and finds herself thrown into a role that she feels isn’t made for her. With guidance from God and the help of the committee, she has managed to turn the Home into a referral hospital called Graham Staines Memorial Hospital. “I miss his companionship and him not being around for Esther”, says Gladys with a sudden sadness in her eyes. In a rollercoaster of emotions, from a soft smile as she remembers Timothy’s ‘spontaneous love for parents’ to a sudden drop in her smile, Glady recalls her little boys who were taken away brutally.
“The Lords has been my rock and my fortress since before Graham died. I’ve never doubted that He is with us, and He is in control. Even when I feel low, I know I am not alone,” she says with a hopeful smile. As she continues to speak about her work and her patients, her face begins to brighten up remembering how encouraging and supportive they all have been. Gladys echoes the words of Joshua 24:15 ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’, as she speaks about her and Esther’s future.
