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| Growing grass across the yard |
Many pictures are in this blog post - and the title is paradise. That's the only word that comes to mind as I think about what this 'care center' means to these children.
First I'll show you some pictures of heaven on earth - the care center. And then I'll simply cross the wall and show you what's outside.
Here is the courtyard where the children play cricket, soccer, and run and play in this safe - walled - haven. No one takes advantage of them, they aren't chased by the police, there are no drugs, and they can be safe.
They are taught to read.
They are taught to write.
They are taught math.
They are taught skills.
and they are given a glimpse of another world that is completely foreign to them.
God's love here is something tangible that they can depend on. Something they can eat. Something they can feel. Something they can sing.
Father dead. Mother addicted. Sibling in prison. Other siblings with whereabouts unknown.
The value of these children is lower than many of the livestock and for our team it's a confirmation that the work that is being done here is critical.
Solicited - unapologetic - and with purpose. Get involved. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with someone at our church or in this ministry so that you can help this critical work that is going on here. zguthrie@guthriegroup.com. What can you do? Pray. Give a small $ 25 gift to purchase school supplies - buy a week of meals for the kids here. Encourage the teachers. Get involved.
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| Reading is protection here - they can defend themselves by understanding proper prices, contracts, etc. because when people know they can't read they are taken advantage of |
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| Coloring pictures |
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| Loving the kids |
I mentioned that this post would first show you a glimpse of heaven ... below are images just a few feet away. The railway station is just down the street and when you see the close proximity of this care center you'll understand why it's such an oasis & prized destination of these children.
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| Home |
Right across the wall is a family that is staying here in the streets. It's estimated that more than 300 million go to bed hungry here in India every day ~ the population of US.
As you read the blog I'd encourage you to post comments - let us know what you think about the trip, and add your experiences & thoughts. We'd love your input.
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| Pastor Lynn walking & praying |
These 'houses' by the rail station are very close to the care center. Seeing where many of these people live are beyond words and the strain on the people is visible.
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| Success story |
This man suffered a compound fracture and would have either died or faced amputation.
Rahul prayed for God's help and helped get him surgery on his leg. Many people know Rahul by name and you can see the power of his ministry by seeing their faces light up.
This man was proud to pull up his pants and show you the story of what he had overcome. PTL.
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| Home |
This is the home of one young girl that comes to the center. They have been working with her for (6) years & she's now 12 years old.
She confided that her prayer every day is that 'no one lie beside her' at night. We are working to get her a place to stay at night as the girls face more risks than the boys.
Home. What a way to describe this place.
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| Busy, dirty, rail station |
The railway station is extremely busy and many of the children live in / around this place.
It's very busy with many trains coming in every day and the place bustles with activity.
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| Cultivating Relationships |
When a train arrives, many of the boys hurry on-board to gather empty water bottles and anything else that is left by the passengers.
They refill the water bottles and resell them to tourists. Rahul has worked with many boys to stop this practice on the basis of honesty. They encourage Biblical truth that will provide fruit in these boys lives. This boy comes irregularly to the care center and Rahul continues to love him unconditionally.
Last picture of the blog post - too many to show and several that I won't show
Pictures of those with leprosy
Pictures of those with polio
But here another boy lives on the streets. Hopefully the ministry will continue to offer paradise to children that live in these streets.
May our church and our people get involved. D.V.
This post tugs at my heart in a thousand ways. My prayers are with you all as you travel and continue to be with the people and children of this city and all of India.
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