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.