Wednesday
Walking into a very poor tribal village is an experience that truly affects your senses. The sight of extreme poverty, the sounds of cows and chickens, the musty smell of fire wood burning. Some huts have electricity consisting of a single lightbulb. Others have small fires burning, filling their homes with smoke. Deep in this village is an afterschool center. It was there we conducted a kids program for about 40 tribal children.
You can’t help but wonder what will become of these children. They are raised in extreme poverty in the lowest caste. We are happy that this after school program is operating. Aside from tutoring the kids, they are being introduced to the God of the Bible….the one true God! We had a great time presenting the gospel. Hope for them is found in Christ.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Thursday
Cat, Amber and Elena enjoyed a visit with the Joyful Weave widows. The ladies showed us how to form the blueberry weave used to make the purses and totes. Cat and Elena gave up trying but Amber nailed it. We all agreed weaving these purses and totes is far more difficult than we expected. Afterwards, we served them tea and cookies while Cat gave her testimony.
Joyful Weave is busy making new purses and totes for 2024. Special orders are being filled now and a large array of colors and sizes will be available in the spring. The ladies are so appreciative for this opportunity to make a wage. They are also thankful that 100% of the proceeds from the sales are helping widows in need.
Friday
After breakfast the team walked over to meet the widows whose homes were being built. Construction delays in 2023 have not made it possible for them to move yet. We pray things will move along a little faster and these ladies and their children can settle into their new houses soon. Due to CAM supporters, windows, doors and interior paint has been provided for all seven houses.
Years ago God put a special love in our hearts for a little girl named Prema (Pray-ma) who lived in a nearby tribal village. Year after year we would visit her and her family. The last time we saw her was 6 years ago. Viju had inquired about her a few times but was told she and her family had moved away. We were sad thinking we would never see her again. On Friday we conducted a kid’s program in that very village. A young women with her baby asked Elena if she was “Elena Aunty”. It was Prema’s older sister, Nila) (knee-la). She said Prema stilled lived there and a few minutes later we were tearfully reunited. She is now a 20 year old, second year college student. What a joyful reunion it was for us! We have exchanged WhatsApp numbers and promised not to ever lose track of one another again.
While Elena enjoyed catching up with Prema, the team carried on with another kid’s program. Forty children attended and joined in the songs and crafts and heard the Good News story about Jesus.
The days are flying by. In six more days the team will be heading back to the USA with memories that will last the rest of their lives. There are still 5 more days of serving here for them. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9
Which translated means: The Best Is Yet To Be!!