Let the children come to me: God's Word for orphanages in India
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Transcript of Let the children come to me: God's Word for orphanages in India
Let the children come to me: God’s Word for orphanages in India
India is home to 31 million orphans -‐ the world’s largest orphan popula=on. Many end up on the streets, having to fend for themselves. Others are cared for in
orphanages, a significant number of them run by churches.
The Bible Society of India partners with church-‐run orphanages, providing the children with Scriptures, as well as shoes, blankets and supplies to help them with schooling.
St Thomas Academy Trust is one of the Bible Society’s partners. It runs 7
orphanages, caring for 650 children aged 4-‐18
When the kids first come to us they are sad. We show them we are there for them and that we love and care for
them. Sharing the Gospel is part of that.-‐ Sunita Johnson
Their parents have died, or abandoned them, so it means a lot to the kids to know Jesus loves them.
-‐ Pastor Masilamani Johnson St Thomas Academy Trust Chairman
One of the orphanages they run is in a tranquil valley in Tamil Nadu, surrounded by rolling, rocky hills,
fields and small villages.
It is home to 125 boys and girls. There are two small, simple
dormitories, a school and a church.
This is the boys’ dormitory. Each child has a small trunk of possessions. They sleep on mats on the floor, which they unroll each night.
The school is very basic and lacks equipment but the children are taught by good, dedicated teachers. This young teacher grew up in the orphanage and
returned to teach here.
Despite having no chairs to sit on or tables to work at, the children
concentrate well in class.
It’s a real privilege to teach here because it really does
change lives. The children are so open to learning new things. As well as ordinary
lessons, we take =me to read the Bible and pray with the kids. I believe that Jesus
performed miracles and that he will perform miracles in these children’s lives, too.
-‐ Nancy, headteacher
I’ve been at this orphanage for six years. I like it here. We get to go to school and church, and we read our Bibles twice a day. I love the stories about Daniel best. He prayed so hard to God. I dream of becoming a doctor one day.
-‐ Shashikala, 14
We like it here because we have good friends and get to go to school. These Children’s Bibles
are great because they have really nice pictures. I love the picture of Jesus preaching from a boat -‐ it looks fun! When I grow up, I want to be a pastor to help other people.
-‐ Kiruba, 13 (right), pictured with his sister, Sathya, 10.
My grandmother brought me to this
orphanage when I was five. I like it because I can study. I’d like to become a teacher here at the
orphanage.
I have a Bible already -‐ in Tamil and in English -‐ but I’m so happy to get this Children’s Bible, which is colourful and will be easier to understand.
-‐ Varalakshmi, 14
Varalakshmi loves to help around the orphanage -‐ here
she serves lunch.
“Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -‐ Jesus
(Maahew 19:14)
PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY IN INDIA’S ORPHANAGES
To find out more about our work around the world, visit unitedbiblesocie=es.org