Sorry it has been so long since I have updated this! So much has been happening!

Vinita and I were working on a documentary on the educational programs in the slums to bring more awareness and support from the states. I will be sure to let you know when it is complete. We are hoping by the end of March.

My dear Vinita left for home yesterday night... she is in route back to Louisiana :(

It is hard not having her here, but I am excited to see what's next. This will help me to learn the language and culture even more by having to get around on my own.

I have a new roommate moving in tomorrow. She is not working through the same organization, but she is a wonderful blessing and an answer to prayer.

They will begin the building on the new restart center very soon! This is such a praise as it will provide so much for abused and abandoned children from the street, sweat shops, and prostitution.

The other restart center in the east part of the city has taken in 6 new children. They will arrive in one week. I am excited to begin working with them. Please pray for their transition from their emotionally and physically abusive environment to this place of care and love.

I am also working with a pastor here to start a program for developmentally disabled children who are abused. Pray for all the resources, volunteers, and wisdom needed to get this started.

I am having a wonderful time as well with the children in the educational programs. Our "craft times" are always eventful and full of laughter.

The first picture shown is of the kids in the eastern slums of the city. We had them each decorate their name and a picture of their favorite thing and then we linked them together to hang in the classroom. Many of the children drew pictures of grapes and mangos!

The second picture is of a girl who lives in the ragpicker's slum and is a student at the school there.

Faith, Hope, and Love in the midst of death

I met this little boy my first week in Delhi. We were walking through the slums to get to know the area. There were children everywhere! Most of their parents were out trying to make money leaving the kids to fend for themselves during the day. There is no school nearby. Even if there was, no family could afford the fees. The streets were muddy and full of pot holes. Most of the families shared a small square room as their home and had sheets draped down as their front door.
This particular day the pastor wanted us to see their future school building that is under construction. As we approached the front of the building we were introduced to the workers. One of the men was so determined to finish his digging he briefly looked up, shook his head to the side and greeted us with, "Jaya masihaa" which means victory to the Messiah. As we passed the men the pastor pointed to a small boy sitting on the front steps and told us he was the son of the man who was digging. Something was different about his eyes. I soon realized he was blind. He had been blind since birth. He sat there trying to eat what appeared to be a cracker not paying attention to anything else around him.
As we continued to the front door I kept looking back at him. I thought to myself that this boy is going to be such a huge testimony. Both of his parents are believers and are investing their time to help build this school. I thought maybe one day they won't have to live in the slums. I said a quick prayer in my head for God to watch over this precious little boy.

He passed away yesterday morning. I was told he became sick with fever. With no medical attention it was too much for his little body to handle. We don't know the exact sickness that caused his death.

Before coming to India I was told all the facts and statistics. I was told these people live in extreme poverty. Children die on the streets everyday. I knew what to expect. But somehow everything I knew suddendly became real to me this morning. I felt so helpless at that moment. The pastor was on his way to be with the family when he told us the news. What was he going to tell them? What words could possibly bring comfort to this mother and father?
The only words that came to my mind were from a hymn, "What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus".
Honestly, I wanted to run home. I wanted to go back to the states and pretend this wasn't real.
I had just finished giving the morning devotion to the teachers when I received the news. I had shared how when we obey God we are showing we love Him and He promises to always be with us. I love God and I want to obey him. That's why I'm here. And I will continue to stay here to help show these people the love of God that overcomes death and destruction.

The Rickshaw

So this is just a video of our drive to the slums I thought you would enjoy!

Teaching English

The strikes in the slums last week only lasted a day... praise GOD! So we were able to get in there last Wednesday and again today.

We are helping revise their curriculum which has become a challenging task, but with Vinita as a wonderful translator and God's wisdom we are excited to take on the challenge!

Last week we observed the different classrooms, but today we were able to teach. We did a craft, an english lesson (thank you Shaney!) and we ended with a song. So much fun! They also receive a snack each day along with vitamins a few times a week.

Please keep these children in your prayers! These programs are giving them a very rare opportunity; not only a chance for a brighter future here on this earth, but a chance to know Christ and to live for Him.

Also, we are holding a training day at the end of the month for all teachers to come and learn how to use the new curriculum. So please keep that in your prayers as well.

As for the rest of our time here we have been visiting the foster homes which take in abused and abandoned children from the streets. These Christian families are doing an amazing job helping these children to recover from past trauma and ease them back into society through education, family outings, and church.

In just these few weeks God has shown me so much of what it means to be a servant and I am excited to learn even more in the coming months!

In the picture is Vinita showing the kids how to do the craft.

In the second one I am playing musical chairs with the kids at a different slum location.