When your country has 1.16 billion people, you are little more than a drop in the Ganges. The only chance you have at a decent life is performing well on your board examinations. It’s not just your fate. The fate of the family rests on what digits appear on a piece of paper. These numbers determine admittance to universities or professional training programs. Ultimately, they determine your employment status.

Needless to say, the stress is intense. Sadly, the stress is insurmountable for some young Indians. One newspaper in Mumbai reported that in the past week alone, there have been 15 suicides related to board exams.

Three members of the Southeastern team and a local pastor were able to talk with a 16 year old, Abhay,* who is preparing to take his board examinations.

‘The stress level is just extreme and you could feel the stress level on this young man,” a volunteer said.

But, the volunteers were able to share that there is a God bigger than the exams and the same God cares about what happens to us. Abhay prayed with the volunteers and asked Jesus into his heart.

“After he prayed to receive Christ he had to get back and study,” the volunteer continued.

The volunteers shared with Abhay’s family, who are Hindu, but they did not make a decision to believe.

Regardless of the score he receives on his board exams, Abhay is not another drop in the bucket. He has infinite value to his Creator.

*names changed.