Summer vacation starts!

Genuinely excited about new school materials ;-)

This summer has been extremely hot in Bhimavaram with daily temperatures averaging 45-49 due to heat waves coming from the Deccan plateau.  

Many of the children have suffered terribly with prickly heat and other skin irritations which had to be treated in Hospital.


To keep the children occupied they all attend a 10 day summer school, the orphanage provide food, drinks and snacks for the children during their stay. This years theme was "Be an example".

Schools reopen on 12th June, just as children in the UK are thinking about winding down for their summer holidays!

Many of the children are going into higher academic classes this year and will need some extra items such as study materials and uniforms.

WOW, all these books!

A little anxious about the new year and more homework :-)

Click here to see the full school album for 2013

Love Feast

A "love feast" was provided for the leprosy sufferers and their children along with some joint discussions about life and ongoing health.  It offers otherwise isolated families the chance to discuss any issues, seek support and catch up with friends.

Some of the older children sang songs and hymns for the group as well as helping to serve a hearty lunch of chicken curry, pickles and salads.  Everyone had a wonderful day and enjoyed each others company.

Meat is a rare luxury for many of the families but a good diet is important for long term health of the leprosy sufferers and their families; meat is always offered at the group events.

Orphanage building ongoing construction

The first bowl of concrete is added to the first floor, meaning the ground floor is now complete.

Building work has been slow due to diminishing funds and the increasing costs of the day to day running of the orphanage.

Updated pictures from Christmas 2012 celebrations

Father Christmas and Elf visiting the children in India.

A belated Christmas post in February to warm those of us in the UK!

Gifts were distributed to the children along with games and Bible quizzes after which the children, widows and leprosy suffers all sat down to a hearty and sumptuous meal.  Even Father Christmas managed a visit!

Christmas celebrations were conducted in five different places along with our co-pastors. The children participated in dance programs and games. These celebrations were enjoyable and very memorable. 

  

Lent...what will you be giving up?

"Lent is the period of six weeks 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday in western Christian Churches. and climaxes during Easter Week. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week.

During the 40 days of Lent, Christians remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God. During this time Jesus was tempted several times by Satan, but was able to resist.

Fasting

Lent is a time of giving things up. For Christians, it is one way of remembering the time Jesus' fasted in the desert and is a test of self-discipline.

There are many foods that some Christians do not eat in Lent, such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. Some Christians just give up something they really enjoy such as cakes or chocolate.

Shrove Tuesday

In western Christian churches, the day before Lent starts is Shrove Tuesday. This is also known as Pancake Day. This day was traditionally the last chance to use up the foods Christians would not be eating during Lent. Today people often give up chocolate or alcohol.

Festivities take place in many cities all over the world, including Mardi Gras in New Orleans (USA), Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Venice (Italy). People dress up, wear masks, parade and dance in the streets.

Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday many western Christian churches hold services during which Christians are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes. This is a sign of saying sorry to God for any wrong doing (penitence) and mortality.

The ashes come from burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday of the previous year.

Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, ending in Holy Week"  
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/christianity/lent.shtml

World Leprosy awareness day

World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on January 30 or its nearest Sunday to increase the public awareness of the Leprosy or Hansen's Disease. This day was chosen in commemoration of the death of Gandhi, the leader of India who understood the importance of leprosy. Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is an infectious chronic disease that targets the nervous system, especially the nerves in the cooler parts of the body - the hands, feet, and face.

Many people in today's society, especially in Europe falsely believed leprosy had died out around the time of the New Testament teachings, not realising that around 3 Million of the most vulnerable and poorest people across the world are affected by this terrible disease.

On Sunday 27 January, please pray for those affected by the devastating consequences of leprosy around the world.

If you can, please give a gift of hope by clicking on the link at the top right hand side of this page.

Christmas Festivities 2012

This year, as in past years the Church, Pastors, volunteers and their families are putting together worship and celebrations during 20th, 21st and 22nd December.

The children of the ministry are given Christmas gifts and clothes.  The widows of the ministry and leprosy sufferers are given bed sheets and sari's.

It promises to be a wonderful 3 days for all those involved, sharing a feast and musical activities.

Please spare some extra money if you can towards a special gift for each child and adult, click here to donate