Rama's Labyrinth: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)

“Dear God, tell me how to help the girls who fell into temptation and won’t or can’t repent. How do I reach them? They sneer at the other girls. They’re a bad influence, and I have to isolate them. I know you sent them to me. Tell me how to help them.”

Rama meditated a few more minutes. He that is without sin cast the first stone. Rama hung her head. “Send someone to teach me.”

Rama walked outside the compound to an area she called Kripa Sadan — House of Rescue. The unlucky girls lived in metal sheds surrounded by a thorn fence. No wonder they can’t make any progress. Look where I house them. Rama wanted to build them a stone house, but there was no money. Let thy widows trust in me. Rama shook her head and turned around to walk towards the first bungalow. Rama hadn’t thought they could build Mukti, and God had given her everything there. I’ll start building and see what happens. But she still didn’t know how to train these women.

A new woman stood on the veranda. Sunlight glinted off her pince-nez glasses. Her hair was lifted completely off her face, though whether that was her habitual style or a concession to the heat Rama couldn’t tell.

“Pandita Ramabai, I’m Elizabeth Baker. God told me to come.”