Years ago, we were introduced to a very remote and impoverished village. In order to reach it, you park on the road and walk into the jungle for about half a mile. There is no plumbing or electric there. The only source of water is the river that runs beside it. In the early days, we used to take mission teams to minister there so that they could experience tribal living at its worst.
Huts are made from bamboo with a tarp roof
Over the past four years, God has convicted C A M to be actively involved in assisting this village with the goal of introducing them to the One True God of the Bible. We have made improvements for them by working with the government to have water piped in from the main line. We have supplied each family with a storage drum for water. They now have several solar spotlights to light the village in the evening and ward off wild animals. The population of this village is quite small… approximately 40 men, women and children. Seven of our widows live there. We have helped them to receive rations of rice and other provisions as well as small pensions. Due to illiteracy, they are unable to advocate for themselves.
Over this last year Viju and Ammu have made it their practice to visit the village every Wednesday evening. They gather all the children together and tell Bible stories and share the Gospel. The children look forward with great enthusiasm to these visits. They have learned to pray and memorize scripture. Even the adult villagers come to listen and pray.
Praying with Ammu
Praying on their knees
Since arriving in India, we also have accompanied Viju and Ammu to visit the village each week. As a result, we have a great burden in our hearts for these people. We are currently working on a plan to add an additional solar spotlight, and also begin an afterschool tutoring program for the school-age children. We hope to build an inexpensive and simple open air shelter where the kids will meet daily with a teacher after school. Viju has already interviewed a teacher who is willing to come to the village two hours a day. The children are like little sponges. They’re just soaking up the love and attention that they’re receiving from us. They are respectful and they listen to the stories from the Bible. Last night I got to teach them sign language using scripture. We also purchased new outfits for the 13 ladies who live in the village. Many of them are literally wearing rags.
Happy ladies receive new dresses
Sal shared the love of the One True God with the kids and the moms.
One very sad story is that of Kumar. He is a young, disabled man raising his three children alone because his wife ran away with another man. He and the children are living in a rundown hut that will probably wash away with the first monsoon rains. Viju is investigating what rights or provisions Kumar might be eligible for with the government. In the meantime, we are looking into what the cost would be to build a small bamboo hut for him and his children.
Kumar
He and his children live here.
We can not solve all of this little village’s problems. God is simply asking us to show up: feed the hungry, visit the sick, clothe the naked, listen to the lonely. Not because it fixes everything, but because Jesus did that, and he said, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” There are over 2,000 Bible verses about helping the poor. Christians are called to give, serve, advocate. Not out of guilt, but because love moves you. The poor aren’t a project; they’re neighbors. And we’re supposed to love our neighbors like we love ourselves.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
If you would like more information on how you can help this little village, please contact us at
office@crossangleministries.com
Or you can make a donation by checking the donate button at