Editors Note: This was the "first fruits" of God's love to the village of Jangum Gudem. It was made possible by your sponsorship dollars and special donations collected in November. The event took place on December 9, 2008
Dear Sponsors:
Greetings to you in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By the grace of God, the Christmas meal at New Hope Children Home and Jangum Gudem started at 10 o’clock in the morning. All the children from the tribal colony and the nearby village (about 100) came and participated with us in the joyful celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please see photos and story below, or view a video of the event.
During lunch, all of the children sat on a polythin paper under the tree. Some of our previous students helped us with the catering and by serving the children. There were two cooks and two helpers who helped us all day to prepare lunch and dinner for everyone.
Then after noon, all the children lined up and sat in rows and the older boys gave food to them. They had good food, vegetables, and we even ordered ice cream for them.
The ice cream was brought just in time after the meal, as there is no freezer in the whole colony. So, at the right time when they got their ice cream, all were happy and enjoyed it by eating with a stick during this hot day.
Secondly, we gave them free time to sit, sleep, or play as they wished. Then at 3 o’clock, we started to distribute the gifts to all the children. Each gift contained 10 items; there were 100 packs ready in total. My wife Suseela and I distributed them one by one to all of them and they were happy to receive them. The packs contained basic things and they were so happy; and their parents also appreciated them.
Our children sometimes cry because the parents are unable to afford even these simple things. Really, they were given by God through you. In each pack were a pencil, pen, sharpener, eraser, comb, shampoo, bath soap, washing soap, tongue cleaner and biscuit package.
So all the children were very happy, they have shared their gifts with their father, mother and neighbors. All were happy! I then visited every house and invited each of the family for Christmas meal and prayer at 7 o’clock, and they agreed to come over there.
So in the evening, we started the meeting by the word of prayer, so we kept the loudspeakers, which were mounted on the trees, turned on so that the voices went to all the nearby villages. That night two preachers preached the word of God along with me, focusing on the importance of the Birth of Jesus, the Love of Jesus, and the plan of salvation.
The people who came were all tribal, and they had never met in one place before. They have their own problems, they never eat together, but because of this special event, this “birth of Jesus” Christmas meal and prayer, they became united and came together with one accord, and ate together from one bowl and under one tent. What a great privilege! The Psalms says “he prepared a table before enemies”, so really it was true in their lives!
Singing songs from families, believers, pastors’ families, and the children were are happy and rejoiced in the Lord by forgetting all of their past and looking forward with a bright hope for a new life! When I preached, I gave an altar call for the sinners’ prayer and 15 people committed their lives and accepted Jesus as their personal savior!
Secondly, our older boys and some of the boys from the colony who had distributed the food to the children, later delivered parcels of food to the very old and bed ridden moms and dads in the village. It was a real blessing, Christ born in this village once again in 2008!
We noticed that there was a great change that took place in the children and adults lives after our program. Everyone was greeting one another, and loving one another - praise the Lord! All the elders of the village then decided to assist us morally as we do the work for them and for their children. What a great joy in these little families! There are 50 houses but 5 Hindu worship places - so please continue to pray for them!
One half of the toys that were sent from Show God’s Love were stolen by our customs officials or post office. However, I will deliver the remaining toys sometime this week.
Thanks for your help for the Christmas dinner and gifts! Your love gift made it possible for them to know Christ and help them to live with one accord. Please pray for this “new hope” project and do continue to help to reap the great harvest!
With love,
Pastor Joseph Raju