Hope you are enjoying the summer weather and are having a refreshing break during this season. In this quarterly update we will give you some snapshots of the work including snippets from Adam’s & Michael’s India trip, earlier in the year.
New Life Disabled
Eight of the 10 disabled young people recently had their operations. A further two cerebral palsy patients are going through physiotherapy before their operations this summer.
Adam: “We heard stories and met people whose lives have been unbelievably altered for good as a result of this incredible act of service. To hold 9-month old Vasumadhi, whose legs had previously been fused apart from birth, but whose legs are now fully corrected and rehabilitated, is quite special – let me assure you. And when I met 21 year old Santosh 2 years ago, shuffling along on his backside with only the use of his hands, I hadn’t imagined meeting him again, now walking upright (albeit still with the aid of crutches)!”
New Life Church Ministry
Two services are now held every week in the newly converted flat roof top of the ministry house, along with two house groups started up in the city. Sujatha reports that the Church is growing, and they are seeing miracles and deliverance by the power of God.
Carmel Ministries
Children’s Home & School:
Adam: “Upon entering the facility, we were greeted by a procession of small children. 38 to be precise. One peculiar observation: I immediately noticed that many of the kids were very good at throwing (balls and rocks!). I later learnt that some had come from a nearby village, notorious for hunting and eating rats. That could explain the accuracy!”
In May the children came for a 3-day camp at Carmel organised by the youth. The children were excited to learn new songs, hear Bible stories acted out with puppets, enjoy small group work, and a cooked meal at lunch time. Each child went home with a small gift which meant a lot to them.
Church Planting
LCA will be supporting 2 more Pastors this year, a total of 7 out of the 65 Church plants in the interior rural tribal villages many of which are in the forest areas where wild animals roam and make it unsafe to be out after sunset.
Adam: “Ebenezer shared that when they planted their first Church in 2005, the village was known as “Rat Catcher” village. As they preached the Gospel for the first time, locals had to swat scorpions from around the preacher’s feet and they had yet to be taught the most basic of hygiene logic. Despite the very real threat of resistance (both verbal and physical) and despite enormous personal and social cost at stake, there is an amazing resilience and hunger instilled into the pastors and their commitment to the pursuit of the Gospel is as inspiring as it is convicting.”
Bens School
After the summer holidays the new academic year began on 20th June with 120 children and 3 new teachers replacing those who had left. Harshith who is supported by LCA through a local cub pack recently shared the following in a letter.
Harshith: “I am 10 years old and live with my parents and sister. I am studying in class 5. My hobby is to make a new gadget. I listen to music in Hindi, Telugu and English, mostly prayer songs. I like to help people in whatever way I can. I am a bit moody; I think more, and I dream more. My favourite food is chapati, rice biriyani, bread and sweets. I celebrate all the festivals with interest. I like God who gave me good life. I like my school very much and learned lot of things. Thank you, a lot, for loving me.”
Fundraising:
It is amazing how Sister Ella celebrated her 95th birthday in June by raising funds for LCA and Release International. It was a great occasion attended by around 80 people. Ella has been a faithful supporter of LCA from the beginning and in fact was one of the first people to respond when Akhtar & I shared the condition people were living in following the effects of drought that we saw on our first visit in 2004.
Video:
Michael has made a great promotion video from his & Adam’s visit to India. Please take time to look at it and feel free to share where appropriate.
- Give thanks for the generous giving from Everyday Church Southfields which will go a long way to meeting our commitments this year to the projects we support.
- Give thanks for those who have come to faith in recent months/years – 30,40,50 people in villages of only around 200-300.
- Pray for Sujatha who has started at college this month studying for her Masters in Theology
- Pray for Pastor Ebenezer to have full recovery from a second operation this year.
- Continue to pray for a new Chairperson to be found.
Kind Regards,
Jean
(Friends Manager LCA)
