We are in Bangalore, India for our first month! I love India, I think most of you know this. It has been a blessing that I have some knowledge of the culture and customs, that I have a way of asking questions of people and getting them to explain their answers, so that I can learn more about them and others around can learn as well.
We arrived at Jireh Children’s Home and Trust on Thursday, September 11 and by Saturday, our team had already broken down so many barriers of politeness and culture, that we were all laughing and learning together. My questioning, listening and digging in personality has been misunderstood at times in the past because when I ask a question, I do not just stop at a one word answer, I press in with deeper questions, try to better understand someone or a concept. As our situation unfolded and I was able to jump in and help peel vegetables, stir a few pots, ask questions, make people laugh, etc, barriers were being broken and we have all been able to enjoy a deeper relationship with this family. I felt the Lord telling me, I have the gift of being a person of peace or a bridge builder. That is a pretty heavy gift but such a blessing that God has been cultivating this gift in me for years. For me, getting to know someone is like unwrapping a gift, you have to take it one question at a time, piece by piece.
Here at Jireh, Morong and Sendme are the parents. They have 3 biological children and 11 other children living with them. The 7 boys sleep in one house and the 4 girls have their own 3 rooms in the main house. Each child helps out with chores, helps to care for one another, goes to school and spends time together reading the Bible, learning Christian songs and praying. Morong and Sendme are from Manipur, in Northeast India. After meeting each other in Bangalore, they fell in love and went back home to Manipur to get married, with their families blessing. In Manipur they saw some children that were not being properly cared for and they heard Jesus asking them to take care of them. They spoke with the children’s parents or relatives and they agreed to give over their care to Morong. They came back to Bangalore and set up a children’s home. They named the home Jireh because God is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. Jireh Children’s Home and Trust does not have monthly sponsors or supporters. When the food runs out, everyone comes together and prays for God to provide for their needs. God has provided each and every time, a friend will happen to stop by, want to talk with Morong and maybe a few of the children and before leaving, the friend will give Morong some money. When the school fees need to be paid, there are not stores of money in Morong’s bank account, everyone will gather together and pray again and Jehovah Jireh provides the necessary money for the fees. It is so encouraging to see how the Lord is always moving to meet the needs for this family.
Morong teaches at the local charity school, that most of the children attend, in exchange for school fees for those children. 4 of the children are in higher learning, so the fees for their school need to be paid regularly. Morong also does some multimedia and screen printing to help make ends meet. Some of the older children have been able to learn from him and they all help when a big order comes in and they need to meet a deadline. The children come from different backgrounds, some are from Manipur and have cultural religious beliefs and others are from Southern India and have a hindu belief system. Morong’s first priority is to love the children, make them feel welcome and then introduce them to Jesus Christ.
There are growing pains as children are settling into life here at the home, one child Teja, after being here for 1 month began stealing things from the other boys and hiding the items. This was something he had learned he needed to do to survive at home. When Teja was found doing this, Morong and Sendme sat down with him and talked with him about why he should not steal from his friends. They told him that is he had a need, he should ask and they could give him what he needed.
Just before we arrived, Jireh had a visit from a government official to check on the home and trust. Morong was notified by letter on the 15th of some changes that need to be made, for the home to keep it’s license. Painting the boy’s house and the gates for the main house and boy’s home, we have already completed last weekend. Two HUGE changes that need to be made are that Morong, Sendme and their 3 children can no longer live with the children. They need to find a room, or home to rent nearby. In order to rent a place, Morong will need 3 month’s rent, for the 1st month’s rent and the deposit. Also, two staff need to be hired, a male and female to watch over the children. All of these changes need to happen by September 30, 2014. This is only 8 days away. Please join us in prayer for this family and their pressing needs! Jehovah Jireh will provide, we need only spend time on our knees asking.
