India Recap #2

   Colossians 1:9 - "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you."

The first ministry our team supported was the House of Hope. This orphanage is run by a couple, Sudhir and Nirmala, out of their own home. Besides their own two children, they have taken in children from the streets. Currently there are 15 children living there. Some of the children are orphans and others have been rejected by family who could no longer feed/clothe them.

We were fortunate to spend a couple days at the House of Hope, playing and loving the children while giving Nirmala a break. The kids do go to school, but beyond this, Nirmala is by herself caring for the children while Sudhir works. We did a lot in our time here...

We performed skits and crafts to help teach the gospel.

 

We played games and got silly together.

We sang songs for them and they sang songs for us. 

The children are definitely better dancers then we are, but I think they enjoyed laughing with (read: at) us. The family was fortunate to have a drum set donated, and one of the boys is extremely talented on the drums. He is only 9, but already very good. He liked trying out Brad's guitar too. 

We got henna tattoos courtesy of the girls - they were great at doing these tiny, intricate designs. Traditionally, men only get henna for their wedding day. But one of the girls convinced Brad to let her give him a tattoo. Best part: He then gave her a tattoo. Who do you think did it better?

Another afternoon, while the boys played outside, we painted the girls' nails.

Perhaps the best part of all our time at the House of Hope was the time off we provided for Nirmala. On our second day there, we sent Nirmala and her husband off on a date. Nirmala had shared how she never gets a break and the two of them never get a moment alone together. She had even forgot their wedding anniversary the previous week until someone at church mentioned it. So we instructed them to take a few hours for themselves and enjoy a lunch on us, while we looked after the children. They were beaming as they left! Such a simple thing for us to do, but a huge thing for them to have that time.

 

It was incredible to see how despite not having additional help, Nirmala continues to take in more children, love them all, and raise them in the Lord. After we left the first day, this adorable 4 year old was dropped off. Just left at the orphanage because they knew she would be cared for there. And she certainly is - when we returned, she was already bonded to the other girls.

 

Can you imagine for a moment where all these sweet children would be without the House of Hope? They would be on the streets or worse. Especially the girls, who if on the street, are in danger of being forced into the sex industry. But because Nirmala responded to God's call to care for orphans, all these children are being loved, educated, and brought up in a Christian home. One of the girls, who was raised here, has since graduated and become a teacher. She actually returned to visit on the days we came. Because of this family, she is now a change maker for her generation. What a testament to the work Nirmala is doing!

In short, our time spent at the House of Hope was absolutely wonderful. These are the children, and parents, who need our prayers and support so they can continue to be a light shining out of the darkness.