Not deprived of education any more
Three years ago, when Arun Anbalagan came to the Grace Adaikalam Hostel at Anandapuram, Tamil Nadu, it was poverty at home that was the reason for him to leave his family. Today, when he looks at his future, he has hope that he will join the Police force one day.
When Arun joined the hostel in 2009, he was admitted in grade VIII. However, he was unable to either read or write Tamil well. He spent many days weeping and praying for God to work a miracle in his life. Last year, when he was studying in grade X (SSC), he prayed not only for himself but for the others too. This he believes was the reason why he and his friends scored good marks in the exam.
Arun scored 50% in the SSC exam and currently studies in grade XI (Commerce). He hopes to complete his education and eventually join the India Police Services.
Arun is grateful to the staff in the hostel, who put in much efforts for his success. He is also grateful to Uncle John (Rev. John Devarajan), the founder of the hostel, who taught him about Jesus Christ. Uncle John also taught him discipline.
Arun is grateful to the hostel staff for bringing out the best side in him. He says he will never forget Lord Jesus, who loved and saved him and promises to live for Him.
Remember Arun and his family, and especially for his future goals to be fulfilled.
Preparing to serve the poor & needy
In July 2004, a seven year old was brought to the Bethel Children Hostel at Umri. She looked sad and out of place. Her future was unsure. Her mother hoped that her little girl’s life would change once she joined the hostel.
Today, nine years later, Supriya Ubale has reached her final year at school. As she prepares for her SSC (grade X) exams, she is confident of scoring high marks. Over the years, her life has changed in many ways.
Supriya has two brothers and a sister. Her parents separated due to family discord and the tensions in the home affected all the other members in the home. Supriya was abused physically as a child and sadness filled her life. Being born in a Hindu home, she never knew real joy. However, she was introduced to Jesus Christ at the hostel and she accepted Jesus has her personal Saviour.
Today, she has hope for her future. She hopes to study further and become a Nurse. This, she believes, will help her serve the poor and needy in the society.
She enjoys singing and wishes to use her gift to glorify God. She is thankful to her sponsors who have made it possible for her to stay in the hostel and fulfill her dreams.
Remember Supriya as she gives her SSC exams in February 2013. Also, when she goes home for vacations, pray that she would be able to use all that she has learned at the hostel.
God helped me score 418 out of 500: Babitha
SSC (X) Topper tells how the Hostel has helped her perform well academically.
Glory be to God. My name is Babitha. I was born and brought up in a Hindu home. I joined Grace Adaikkalam Hostel in when I was in Std VIII. At home I never paid attention to my studies. I would spend most of my time playing and watching Television. So my parents admitted me in this hostel. After joining the hostel I came to know about Jesus Christ.
Every new academic year I would decide to study well, but some of the thoughts occupied my mind and I was not able to study. In Std X also I decided to study well but I was not able to study. I read the Word of God and prayed. In the beginning I did not score good marks. But God helped me to score more in every test that followed. I wasn’t sure that I would score over 400 marks in the government exam but I had faith in God and I prayed. By the grace of God, He helped me to score 418 marks out of 500 marks, i.e. 83.60% in the S.S.C. Exam.
I wish to become a doctor and serve the poor and needy. Kindly pray for my wish to be fulfilled.
M. Babitha
The Buffalo Project produces fruit
It is not everyday that I travel to visit animals, though I do it very often to visit many of our beneficiaries. But this Sunday was different. With the goal of meeting the two families that are the beneficiaries of the Buffalo Project, I came face to face with the buffaloes.
The Buffalo project benefits the children from our Hostel at Kognoli, Karnataka. The proceeds from the sale of the milk is shared between the Hostel and the caretakers.
The first of these buffaloes is in the care of Mrs. Shanakka Hegde who resides in Bhorgaonwadi village. She is a widow and cares for her two children. The female calf from this buffalo is currently eight months old. The buffalo is seven months pregnant and is due in September 2012. Shanakka is woman of prayer.
The second buffalo is cared for by Mrs. Shakuntala Hegde, who lives in Kharadgha village. Shakuntala is also a widow. The two buffaloes currently provide for the needs not only of the hostel children from Kognoli, but also helps in the financial needs of the two families.
Thanks to ICCM, three more buffaloes will be added to the Buffalo Project and the buffaloes will continue to benefit many more in the years to come.
Kala – All geared up to disciple teenagers
The twinkle in her eyes when she saw us was unbelievable. Today was her graduation day and there was nothing greater for us than to share this joy with her.
Kala Mokashe was just seven when she first entered the doors of the Girls Hostel at Umri in 1994. Hailing from the Lohara village in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, and belonging to the Kolam tribe, Kala was being cared for by her mother, a casual labourer, earning a minimal wage. Her father never cared for the family, which consisted of Kala, her brother, sister and mother. Unable to provide the necessary care, Kala was sent to the Girls hostel at Umri. And this, says Kala, changed her life forever.
In March 2005, having cleared her Tenth grade Government exams, Kala moved out of the hostel to pursue her further education at Warud, where she cleared her Twelfth grade exams. But before leaving the hostel at Umri, her life had already changed directions. In 2002, at the age of 14, God spoke to her through Isaiah 43:12 (… you are my witnesses). She realized that she was called by God to serve Him. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour and following God’s leading joined Operation Mobilisation (OM) India in July 2007 to pursue her Bachelor in Theology degree through the International College of Cultural Studies, Hyderabad, while being trained through the practical opportunities provided by OM.
During the last five years, she has worked through OM teams in Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, having planted two churches, one in Punjab (near the Pakistan border) and the other in Sholapur, Maharashtra. Her family has never supported her during her preparation for Christian service, yet she is confident that the Lord in whom she trusts will take her through the challenges that lay ahead of her.
My first interaction with her was in May 2007, when she came to Mumbai to participate in the ‘Harvest Mumbai 2007’ outreach programme. Her zeal for the ministry and the positive outlook to life, despite the hardships she had encountered was admirable.
Kala hopes to complete her assignments with OM this May at the Summer Camp, and then be available to work as a missionary with girls and teenagers (grade 8 -10). Her passion is to work among girls, especially orphans, to share with them God’s love, give them the living hope and disciple them for Christ. She has expressed her desire to work at the Umri hostel and we are hopeful that this would happen soon.
Three Stars Shine for the Hostel Ministry
Three former hostel kids clear their B.Th. – All ready to launch out into ministry
Three children who grew up at the Umri and Asifabad Hostels have done the Hostel ministry proud by successfully completing their Bachelor in Theology degree from the International College of Cultural Studies, Hyderabad.
At the glittering function, held at the College Auditorium, Kala Mokashe, Lahanu Gomase and Robin Sappa received their certificates. Kala grew up at the Girls Hostel at Umri, while Lahanu and Robin grew up at the Asifabad Hostel. For Suresh Sonkamble and me, it was a joy to be present at the ceremony, especially as Kala and Lahanu had no other close relatives to share in their joy.
While Kala left the Umri hostel on completing her tenth grade, Lahanu was able to continue living at the Asifabad hostel till he completed his twelfth grade. Robin too had completed his tenth grade at Asifabad hostel. All the three had joined Operation Mobilisation (OM) India, to be trained for ministry, while also pursuing their Bachelor in Theology degree through the International College of Cultural Studies.
Having completed their B.Th., they will now launch out into ministries of their choice. While Kala has decided to return to serve in the Umri Hostel and work as a missionary among girls, Lahanu has preferred to work for a year as a Pastor with one of OM’s Churches in Pune. Robin, on the other hand, will work for a year with OM’s Child Sponsorship department.
We wish them all the best as they fulfill their calling in response to God’s leading in their lives.
We would like to thank Rev. Moses Arwade, who as the CCM Coordinator was instrumental in pursuing these three to join the B.Th. course in 2007. Also, a big thank you to ICCM for their financial and prayer support to the Hostel ministry in India.
A Dedicated Life
Mr. Jingonda Patil came to Miraj for medical treatment. His family disowned him when they found out that he had leprosy. After completing the treatment, he settled down with a group of others in the Lepers Colony in Miraj, got a job at a local project. Though born a Jain, he turned to faith in Jesus, after he saw the love that other Christians showed him, despite his physical condition.
Like every other cured leper, he struggled as the others in society refused to accept him as one from the society. Most people affected by leprosy struggle to sustain themselves, as they do not get jobs. The society looks at them with curiosity and even disgust at times. Most end up begging for a livelihood.
When Mr. Patil became part of the Handloom project at Miraj, he brought with him skills that he had perfected at his earlier project. Recently, he underwent treatment for a heart problem.
Today, Mr. Patil is the Supervisor of the Handloom Project at Miraj and oversees the weavers who work on the looms. At the meeting on 23rd October 2011, he recommitted himself to the projects saying, “I will serve God at this project day and night until I die.” Kindly uphold all the weavers in prayer.
A Leper becomes a WEAVER
Chokha Kamble has been a weaver with the Handloom Project until recently, having worked on the looms for nine years.
He was diagnosed with leprosy when he was eighteen years old. That was also the day he lost his family and his social identity. He finally settled in the Lepers Colony at Miraj. Due to the disease, he lost his right leg and fingers on his right hand. His wife, Shakuntala, is also a victim of the disease. Unable to obtain any work, Chokha Kamble sustained himself and his wife by begging on the streets.
The change in his life came when he started working as a weaver at the Handloom Project. He was provided a three wheel bicycle to travel. Despite his disability, he was able to prove himself as a dedicated worker.
Arun Ambedkar
“I liked the story of Daniel, who did not fear the king, but he had the fear of the Lord. Thus, the lions could not harm him. He prayed three times a day and God did not forsake him… Now I have decided not to be like before but to study hard and to fear the Lord.”
Abinaya
VBS was a blessing for me. I liked the story of Daniel, and was touched by Daniel 1:8 – he did not defile himself with food, and by Daniel 6:10 – he did not serve any other God and prayed three times. I have decided not to waste any time but spend time with God and also to serve only Jesus but no other God. After hearing the story of David Livingstone, I decided to win souls whatever trials may come my way.
Arun Anbalagan
I was encouraged that our God is a prayer answering God. I used to pray before but without faith. I was also touched by Daniel 6:4,10, that Daniel was faithful and he prayed three times. I decided to pray at least two times a day, and to pray for our country and for others. I was touched by the biography of David Livingstone and I committed myself to do God’s ministry.
