Kay Marshall Strom, author of the Grace in Africa series, has just released the first in her exciting new trilogy, The Blessings of India published by Abingdon Press. Book One, called The Faith of Ashish is set in turn of the century southern India. The story follows the life of a simple dalit(untouchable) family as it struggles to live in the oppressive environment of the caste system. Virat and Latha, husband and wife, name their precious son, Ashish meaning blessing. When he inadvertently drinks from a cup meant for higher caste people he is viciously beaten. Desperate for medical help Virat, a chamar (leather tanner) risks his life to enter into the high caste part of the village to seek help for his son. The help he receives from the local Christian landowner places him and his family into indentured servanthood, a form of slavery from which it’s virtually impossible to escape.

The story tracks Virat and Latha’s sincere efforts to repay their debt only to have their hopes dashed over and over again. They finally realize that just their daily portion of rice will keep them indebted to the landowner forever. Their bold efforts to free themselves take them on a journey that is both filled with physical danger, and mysterious new hope. For the first time they hear the name of Jesus Christ.

Readers are immersed in the village life of India. Colorful local celebrations and the simple rhythms of an agrarian lifestyle are painted beautifully. Virat and Latha’s story exposes the unbelievable restrictions placed on outcastes considered less than human. A brand of Christianity in which power and greed override true faith in God is revealed by some characters, but as the story unfolds, those who truly love God and desire to serve Him play key roles in Virat and Latha’s journey toward freedom. Themes of family strength, love and the hope that comes only from God bring us to the end of Book One eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.