I could not be more excited to share with you that this Christmas, my and a team of seven will be headed to India!! Now I love the Christmas holiday. The smells, the songs, the goodies, traditions…however this year we will be getting to bring that to others.
We will be serving at a place called…
Happy Home for the Handicapped
It is an amazing place that changes the lives of orphans as well as those with disabilities. India has what is called a cast system. They believe in reincarnation, and so in their minds the lifestyle you were born into reflects how you were in your previous life. For example, if you are rich, you must have done something great to come back in such an awesome way. Those who are born with any form of handicap are the lowest of the low and must have been a rapist, a murderer, or done something awful to deserve this punishment. Therefore, they have no problem kicking, spitting on, and throwing these people in the streets to die. Now to us, that sounds crazy, but when it is a deep embedded belief in your culture, you don’t see it is as strange, it just is. It makes me want to cry thinking of these people treated so horribly for simply being born into a particular cast or with a disability.
That’s where Happy Home comes in.
It is an amazing sanctuary for people who are suffering in India to come and have a home that truly loves them. The story of how they formed is spectacular, and I recommend reading it on their website indiahappyhome.org. The short of it is an amazing woman named Irene gave her entire life to changing these children’s circumstances.
We leave in just a few short weeks and I am excited to have you partner with us. As you can imagine, India is one of the darkest places in the world. I have had multiple people warn me that the heaviness there is far more than anything they have ever seen. Now this isn’t to bring fear, we will be physically completely safe, but this is to be on guard and be prayerful.
Prayer.
That said, we need your prayers. Most of my team has never been overseas and so I know this is going to be such an amazing, transforming two weeks. Please pray for Happy Home, safe travels for the team, and and such a blessed time. We will be doing Christmas skits, songs, games, and a whole lot to bring love to this home. Prayer those all go well, as well as any work projects they have for us. Personally, as the leader, I could really use some prayer that I lead this team well.
Provide.
This morning I got an email from the contact over there, Roshan. He has so much love for these people it just warms my heart. He did say there are needs. I would love for you all to pray about if you feel called to filling any of these needs. Some of the basic things are ‘learning toys’, multi vitamins, children’s Tylenol and Advil, tooth brushes, cough syrup, Lysol wipes, a Dewalt 20 bolt max cordless battery Grinder for cutting metals, and small Christmas treats. If you are interested, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Give.
The other area I would ask you to pray about is financially giving. The finances are due on Monday and as a whole my team is still in need of over $4,000. Personally, I am all set, but if you feel called to give to this team you can. Simply go online to ajesuschurch.org, click Give, Select ‘Hear the Cry Missions’, select Giving to a team member or trip and type in “India Team member in need”.
I love you all and am so thankful to have your love, prayers and support! God is good 🙂
