Update

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

Time for an update. The children are doing well. They have been busy during their summer attending Vacation Bible School in different villages. This is a very positive experience for all of them. It is hard on Sandhya to get them to the different villages, but she feels it is important. The heat has been terrible and the government cuts off the power to the village until 11:00 pm so they have no means of relief.

The children are busy collecting stones in the evenings. They would like to build a wall so they can have an "outhouse" for the children. The stones cost $1.00 for a basin full and this amount of money is too great, so they are trying to find stones. My son sent his $1.00 with our last check so they could buy a basin full. Wouldn't this be a wonderful project for a Sunday School class? The cost of a soda can buy a basin full of rocks for these children. Our children have so much...

From Sandhya: "Summer has just come to the end. It really tortured and tormented us. Many people died of sunstroke. We were kept under the mighty wings of the Lord and so we are safe. The monsoons have entered just. We are soon going to have rains. Summer is season for us for the Gospel out reach work and we do a great deal of Gospel work in this season. But the rainy seasons hinders almost all the out reach work. Villages are covered with the stagnated water and the muddy roads will not allow reaching our destinations. We have to wait until the rains stop and the muddy roads are dried."

I am happy to report we have another wonderful woman who has joined us in supporting these children. We have sent another check and will soon hopefully have another supporter so we can make a monthly commitment to this ministry. The financial support has been such a blessing to the children, but I am told that their spirits have been lifted and they smile so much more knowing they are loved. Unconditional love is unknown to children of abuse and abandonment. They know that this support comes from Christians that love them with the love of Christ. We have all truly become a family in Christ!

Here is some explanation of what life is like in Sandhya's words:
"We belong to backward government. Our community is called Madiga (cobblers) .We have no honor and so we are not allowed to live in the society where the people of higher community live. We live at the out skirt of the village in the slum area where the whole garbage is thrown. We have no sanitation facility and people from the whole village use our area as a public toilet. I can't explain the situation how filthy and dirty it is. Many kinds of diseases await us. There are thousands of villages like this in Andhra Pradesh ( South India ) and the same is the condition.

Our government has a greatest compassion and is kindest enough to classify us as Scheduled caste. We have a constructional and a legal privilege and right to receive many benefits such as own house, own land, a prosperous job, few education for the children, free hostels, promotions in the jobs and many a like that. But the scheduled caste people must not be Christians. The very moment they become Christians they will lose all the benefits and must compensate the loss to the government because of them. We have been Christians since the days of our fore fathers and we will be Christians until the Lord returns. We live as Christians and die as Christians. "

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Please remember to keep these children in your prayers. Sandhya is hoping to be able to start helping more soon.

Little Mary

"I am here sending the history of Mary. She is 5 years old. She speaks like a sparrow and we enjoy her words. She recites 1st, 15th, 23rd, 133rd psalms and some verses from Proverbs. She prays very well. She sings some choruses.

She was sold by her parents to a couple who had no children. After she was adopted the couple had children of their own and so they did not want to take care of her. She went to a foster home. The foster mother beat Mary always severely. The foster father was a drunkard and he also beat Mary when ever he drank. Finally the couple left the girl and went to an unknown place. Her own parents did not want to bring her back to them. It was because of their poverty and they have three more daughters. They had no food to eat and they were not able to feed these girls. Mary's own father was also a drunkard and left her mother.

Mary began to beg and people had no compassion for her. It happened for us to visit that place to conduct a prayer meeting in the area where Mary was begging. We heard about her. It really moved my heart and made me cry for her. I asked her if she would come with me. Without a word she jumped in to my lap and hugged me. I brought her to me. She is very thankful to me and so she makes wonderful intercessions to God on my behalf to bless me abundantly."

Our Happy Children

A quick update. The children are doing well. It is summer there and it is very hot. Please keep them in prayer as the temperatures rise over the next month. Last year many people died of heatstroke.

Sandhya recently was able to purchase each child their own cup. She also bought soap for the children. She told me she bought some firewood so the children could have some warm water to bathe. Sandhya has let me know as she spends the money. She is being very careful. We told her to buy something for the children to play with. The boys got materials to play cricket & the girls got little stuffed animals.

Here is a portion of the email I received from Sandhya yesterday:

"I am very happy and thankful to tell you that your kind involvement has made them hopeful and happy. Nowadays they don't seem to be gloomy or hungry. In the early days some of them used to get up in the nights and begin to cry for they were hungry and they were in need of parental care and love. I felt very guilty, because I could not meet all their needs. Now they are happy, because most of their needs are met. They have an assurance that there are some people who love them and care for them. Above all they have come to know about Jesus. They pray to Jesus whole heartedly. They have come to know that Jesus loves them. This is the happiest thing for me. In this regard I request you to continue to extend your kind love for them. They are really in need of your love. Your kind words for them are really a great strength to both them and me."

Please continue to join us in prayer for the children. Soon I will tell you more about each child as I receive the information. May God bless you!

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:5

Happy Easter Everyone!

Here is the picture of my friend Sandhya and the children we are helping and praying for.

They are showing off their new clothes she was able to purchase with the money we were able to send. They are so very thankful. We feel so blessed that God has brought us all together.

I pray if you find this blog your heart will also be touched and you too will want to help these children. There are many more we can feed, clothe and teach if we find more people willing share just a small amount.

May God bless you and your family!

Children's Names

I asked for the children's names so we could pray for them individually. Here they are if you would like to join us in praying. We should have pictures soon!

Girls:
Mary
Shanthi ( means peace)
Ruth
Esther
Veeramma ( means Victoria )

Boys:
Israel
Paul
Vijay ( victor)
Gopi
Ravi ( sun)

They got the money!!

I am happy to report Sandhya received the money we sent via Western Union.
She and her father have purchased new clothing for the children & food.

She wrote:
"I have just received the money. My father took me to the bank and received for the money. We spent $35 and preserved the remaining amount. We bought clothes for $30 and $5 for some food materials. This evening children will be wearing new dress and eat the good food. They will be very happy this evening. I will take the picture of the children and will send you as soon as possible."

I will post the picture when I get it. Then you will be able to see some of the children that need your help. Please join us in praying that others will join is in supporting this ministry.

Thank you!

Western Union

We have learned Western Union is the best way to get the money to Sandhya.
We are sending money today to buy each child an outfit, food & teaching supplies. They are all so excited. Sandhya said she'll send a photo of the children in their new clothes once they are able to get them. :)

Please help...there are so many children. I told my husband this morning, it will only take a few families to support this young girl's ministry. She is giving all of her time & energy. The least we can do is give her the financial support.

I can provide her email for you if you are willing to help. She will need specific info to get the money from Western Union. It's quite safe & simple. I did it right here with a credit card from my home.

If you can't provide financial support right now, please keep this ministry in prayer!

Blessings.................