It is our last evening here in India. What an amazing, Spirit-filled time we have had! The pictures Kristin posted speak volumes!
One question we asked all along the way was "Where have you seen Jesus?" and a related question, "Where have you been Jesus?" We have been able to answer the first question easily - we have seen Jesus in the faces of all of the children we have encountered! They are so amazing! So full of hope and love and light and life. And so beautiful! We have also certainly seen Jesus in their care-givers who provide food, shelter, clothing, education, socialization, and most importantly, love. We have seen Jesus in the man, John, who drove us most of the time, and brought us safely through to all of our destinations - that is no small feat considering Indian roads and driving conditions! We have seen Jesus in our guide, Paramadass, and his amazing faith, and sharing of the gospel. Alternately, we have been Jesus as we cared for the children we met, listening to their stories, blessed them, and offered prayers of support and thanksgiving for them! We have been Jesus as we prayed for Paramadass and John. We have been Jesus as we cared for one another as we traveled, and encountered minor illness (congestion and coughing).
One of the most powerful experiences of seeing Jesus was when we visited the daycare program in a town call Pumbari. The children in the daycare program all have disabilities. One boy particularly touched us. He was 12 years old, but because he couldn't use his malformed legs and feet, he looked more like he was 3 or 4 years old. His parents were ashamed of his disability, but after attending the daycare, and receiving training, care and support from the staff at Bethania through the daycare, his parents are no longer ashamed. He is a bright and beautiful child, and believes in Jesus Christ. This is no small thing, since only 35 of the nearly 10,000 people in Pumbari are Christian. The rest are Hindu. The 35 Christians are a result of the work of Bethania kids and the daycare program there. It was amazing to see these children with disabilities and hear how their lives have been resurrected from shame and despair by Bethania Kids and their work. We truly knew we were touching the wounds of Jesus as we heard the pain and sorrow of these kids' lives, but were also able to experience the power of Jesus' resurrection hearing of the transformation of their lives and situations. We know how truly blessed we are to be part of such an incredible experience.
We are eager to return and share more with you, and bless you, like we have been blessed, by sharing more of this amazing ministry!
Peace and Many blessings!
Heidi
One question we asked all along the way was "Where have you seen Jesus?" and a related question, "Where have you been Jesus?" We have been able to answer the first question easily - we have seen Jesus in the faces of all of the children we have encountered! They are so amazing! So full of hope and love and light and life. And so beautiful! We have also certainly seen Jesus in their care-givers who provide food, shelter, clothing, education, socialization, and most importantly, love. We have seen Jesus in the man, John, who drove us most of the time, and brought us safely through to all of our destinations - that is no small feat considering Indian roads and driving conditions! We have seen Jesus in our guide, Paramadass, and his amazing faith, and sharing of the gospel. Alternately, we have been Jesus as we cared for the children we met, listening to their stories, blessed them, and offered prayers of support and thanksgiving for them! We have been Jesus as we prayed for Paramadass and John. We have been Jesus as we cared for one another as we traveled, and encountered minor illness (congestion and coughing).
One of the most powerful experiences of seeing Jesus was when we visited the daycare program in a town call Pumbari. The children in the daycare program all have disabilities. One boy particularly touched us. He was 12 years old, but because he couldn't use his malformed legs and feet, he looked more like he was 3 or 4 years old. His parents were ashamed of his disability, but after attending the daycare, and receiving training, care and support from the staff at Bethania through the daycare, his parents are no longer ashamed. He is a bright and beautiful child, and believes in Jesus Christ. This is no small thing, since only 35 of the nearly 10,000 people in Pumbari are Christian. The rest are Hindu. The 35 Christians are a result of the work of Bethania kids and the daycare program there. It was amazing to see these children with disabilities and hear how their lives have been resurrected from shame and despair by Bethania Kids and their work. We truly knew we were touching the wounds of Jesus as we heard the pain and sorrow of these kids' lives, but were also able to experience the power of Jesus' resurrection hearing of the transformation of their lives and situations. We know how truly blessed we are to be part of such an incredible experience.
We are eager to return and share more with you, and bless you, like we have been blessed, by sharing more of this amazing ministry!
Peace and Many blessings!
Heidi
Powerful witness Heidi, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to hear all about it
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