My month in India began with a 43 hour train ride in the “no air conditioning sleeper car” (with daily temperatures reaching 100) from Delhi to Bangalore. I could write a novel on this experience alone…one that, at different points, would make you laugh, cry, and squirm. Suffice it to say that I will never forget my trip on a train across India, and I will not be sad if it is my last trip of the sort.
I am spending time with team .APEX this month, doing ministry in a children’s orphanage here in Bangalore. Our first week of ministry has been a joy.
I am spending time with team .APEX this month, doing ministry in a children’s orphanage here in Bangalore. Our first week of ministry has been a joy.
Monday through Thursday we put on a summer camp for kids at the nearby church, very similar to what we call ‘vacation bible school’. The children’s home has been putting on this summer camp for the past three years and it has grown larger every time, drawing in children from all over the surrounding Hindu community and exposing them to the love of Christ. This year around 70-80 children attended, and as our contact informed us, about 90% of them are Hindu. The really beautiful thing about this is that the light planted inside each child can reach their families as well as they return home each day and share what they’ve seen and heard.
For the four days of this camp the children were split into four teams and participated in all sorts of gospel-related activities centered around the theme of TRU…what is True, what is Real, and who are U. We sang songs, listened to different team members give a message, memorized scripture verses, and learned bible stories. The children I helped with were called team Speak. At the end of the week each team performed for the rest of the camp. They chose a song to sing, a scripture to recite, and put together a skit. It was SO fun to see the kids’ imagination come to life!
The afternoons and evenings of this week have been spent loving on the 12 children at the home. We made crafts together, worshiped, and played games. The presence of love is so strong in this place, and witnessed in the harmony and brotherhood of all the children. Our hosts, Mr. Morong and his wife Sendme, along with brother Hong, walk in such faith and love that I am constantly humbled in their presence.
We have had the opportunity to attend many bible studies and prayer meetings throughout the week and have met many faithful followers, it is apparent that the Word is alive and active and moving here.
