I arrived back in India for an 18-day visit on November 5th.  A short night’s sleep in Mumbai after the long non-stop USA-India flight and then I was on to the city of Hyderabad to begin the first part of the visit in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

I have been celebrating that in the midst of much sad news that we have been receiving from India of persecution and political unrest, of burnings and bombings, there is also good news.  God has blessed some of his faithful servants in Andhra Pradesh, and the work they are doing in the name of Jesus; the hungry are being fed, children are being trained and cared for in church schools, and the next generation of church leaders are being taught.

Andhra Christian Theological College, serves 160 men and 10 women as they study the Word of God.  Under the leadership of Principal Reuben Mark, the school is expanding to meet the desire of more men and women to be equipped to spread the Good News throughout the state of Andhra.  Their facilities are simple, but they look to the future with hopes to build a chapel, more classroom space, more living quarters and to keep up the quality of educational resources.

Another organization that is doing a lot of good work is the Banjara Development Trust.  I have been out on trips each day with Director Dr Wilson into the villages and lands of the Banjara tibal people.  As with many of the Native American people in the USA, these tribal communities have been pushed to live and farm the most desolate areas.  Yet the work of the Banjara Development Trust is alive with the Good News of Jesus.  I had the privilege of meeting lots of really neat kids in their schools and at the centers for Banjara tribal children and young parents.  There are after-school programs for kids and programs for new mothers where they get spiritual training, good hot food and caring staff to attend to special needs. 
 
As the population in India grows by staggering numbers, so it is in these tribal areas as well.  The centers/schools are growing, the programs getting more crowded; facilities that were extremely simple and austere to begin with are being strained.  Some sites need the basics of water (a bore well will need to be drilled), electricity for lighting, more classrooms and more teachers for the classrooms.  I also noticed needs such as boundary walls to protect the kids and the property from  trespassers and theft, a library that needs more books, a science lab that needs equipment, a computer lab that needs…… computers.  But their first request is for prayer – prayer for the staff who run the programs and for the children they serve – for health and strength, for God to meet their needs, for the name of Jesus to be given honor and praise. 

International Ministries resources that are provided by the World Mission Offering, as well as White Cross funds, have been a great help to these ministries.  It’s a joy to see how education is sought after by these people who are ignored and pushed aside by society.  I praise the Lord for people who have chosen to go above and beyond to help others and to share the hope of God’s Kingdom.  Thank you for supporting these ministries through your ongoing gifts sent to International Ministries.  Jesus can make a difference through you.

Jesus said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest."  Luke 9:48