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DR. K. SYAM KUMAR
VISITS OUR CHURCHES IN AMERICA . Where he Leads. 4/2000.
Dr. K. Syam Kumar from our Free Medical Clinic in Rajahmundry , India,
had ah opportunity to visit America in late October and early November. He
initially had been invited to Kentucky to provide a second opinion on a woman
who was ill. From Kentucky, he flew to Brighton, Michigan, where he attended
the Fall Services on October 27-29 and participated in the Foreign Mission
Board meeting held on October 27 and 28 in Brighton.
From Brighton, he flew to Portland, OR with several Board mem bers and stayed
in Battle Ground, Washington, until November 6. While in America, he had the
opportunity to speak at churches in Brighton, Portland, Castle Rock, Vancouver
and Hockinson where he provided enlightening information on the work of the
church and the Free Medical Clinic in India. It was indeed a pleasure and a
blessing to have him in our midst.
First village church to be constructed in India. Where He
Leads…. 1/2000.
The first village church authorized for construction in India will be started this
summer….will be built in a village that Pastor M.P.Suratnam serves….will hold
80 to 100 people, seated on the floor. The cost of the church is about $ 5000…
Foreign
Mission Committee:
Translation of tracts into Hindi language of India. Christian Monthly 1/1999.
We have just received word that the translation of the God’s Peace
and Are Your Sins Forgiven tracts into the Hindi language
of India has been completed. 50 000 copies of each tract will be printed….The
next Hindi translation to be done will be the Principles of the
Doctrine of Christ.
Foreign Mission Committee: Request for Prayers. Christian
Monthly 1/1999.
The Apostolic Lutheran Curch Ministries of India was founded about five yers
ago. The Church is comprides of 30 village located in the State of Andhra
Pradesh. On November 20th brother Jered Niemela of
Chassel, MI. left for India on a five-month visit to the church. He will
monitor the on-going work in the 30 churches and assist in the development of
an orphanage. In late January, ministers will be sent to attend the 5th
Annual Convention of the church in the city of Tuni. They will also visit a
church in the state of Orissa that was visited on the last mission trip.
Helmes, Alvar: Mission Trip to India. Where He Leads
1/2001.
On February 13, Richard Juuti, Carl Lamppa, Mike Hilman, Amy Helmes, and I left
for India to visit the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. This was Richard
Juuti's fourth trip to India. Carl and I were making our second trip. Schedules
for services had been arranged beforehand by the pastors in India, and we were
kept fully occupied during our stay. We arrived in Orissa, our first stop, on
Thursday, February 15, where we were met by Pastor S. P....
Helmes, Amy: Thoughts on our Mission Trip to India. Where He Leads 1/2001.
In mid-February, I had the privilege of travelling to India in the company
of four Christian brothers. Our team consisted of my father-in-law, Alvar
Helmes, Richard Juuti, Carl Lamppa, Mike Hilman and myself. Travelling across
the world with only men for companions was an experience in itself, but having
been asked to write an article, I'll try to highlight those experiences more
directly related to the mission work.
Juuti,
Richard Where he leads… India mission trip (Jan 22 . Feb. 12,1999). Christian
Monthly 5/1999.
Juuti,
Richard: Mission trip to India. Where He Leads…2/2000. http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/index.html
Kumar, K.,S.: A typical day’s work in the ALC Ministries Free
Medical Clinic. Christian Monthly 12/1998.
Kumar, Syam: Where he leads… ALC Ministries of India Free Medical
Clinic. Christian Monthly 7/1998.
…On May 30th Our Apostolic Lutheran Church Ministries Free Medical
Clinic opened…The clinic was dedicated at the inauguration attended by pastors
from the Tuni area and rev. K.Aseervadam.
Dr Kumar, K. Syam:
The Apostolic Lutheran Church Free Medical Clinic of India.
Christian Monthly 8/1999.
"The ALC Free Medical Clinic is a church to heal the soul spiritually and
to heal the body physically." (Dr. K. Syam Kumar)
In the village of Rajavaram, a
Pastor has a congregation of about 100 believers. The village and sub-villages
have a total population of about 5,000, mostly Hindus. The Pastor sends many of
his people to the ALC Medical Clinic to
hear the Word of God for their souls, and for treatment of their bodies.
Dr
Kumar, K. Syam: Operation Theatre opens in Free medical Clinic in India.
Where He leads...3/2000. http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/foreign/whereheleads_js2000.pdf
Maki,
Bob: Visit to Orissa state. Christian
Monthly 5/1999.
Mäenpää, Ann-Mari. Volunteer in India – January 11 to April 5, 2000. Where He Leads…2/2000. http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/index.html
New
literature tranlations. Where He Leads…Foreign Mission News of the Apostolic
Lutheran Church of America 1/2000.
Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, God’s Peace ant The Sinner’s Plea Tracts:
Translated into the Urdu language…Translated into the Kannada language of the
state of karnataka in India. The Kannada language is spoeken by 13 million
people.
Niemela, Jered: ALC Ministries of India Orphanage Project.
Christian Monthly 11/1998.
The orphanage envisioned for the ALC Ministries of India is seen as an
important part of the mission field in India…
Niemela, Jered: A Mission field Experience in India. Christian
Monthly. 2/1999.
On January I went with Dr. Kumar to a medical camp in the village
of Gowripatnam. The pastor here is a converted Hindu priest from the highest
caste and the village is solely high caste. He had arranged the meeting in the
village center: ….In a few minutes the streets were filled with shouting
people…but the mob kept coming….The crowd again broke out in rioting…
Sugandharatnam, M.P.: Request from India for correspondence with
Sunday school children. Christian Monthly 11/1999.
Sugandharatnam, M.P.: Missiontrip to Northeast India. Where He
Leads...3/2000.
http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/foreign/whereheleads_js2000.pdf
To readers in India. Two tracts are now available in the Hindi
language: God’s Peace and Are Your sins Forgiven? Christian Monthly 5/1999.
Waaraniemi, Eeva-Liisa: INTIASTA SUOMEEN. PMS 19/9.5.2001.
OPISTOLAINEN TANPA GUAMTSO TULI SUOMEEN INTIASTA VIIME KESÄNÄ. TANPA
NÄKEE ITSENSÄ TIIBETILÄISENÄ, VAIKKA ONKIN ASUNUT INTIASSA KOKO ELÄMÄNSÄ. HÄNEN
VANHEMPANSA JOUTUIVAT PAKENEMAAN TIIBETISTÄ, KUN KIINALAISET TUNKEUTUIVAT TÄHÄN
PIENEEN MAAHAN VUONNA 1959 TANPAN VANHEMPIEN OLLESSA VIELÄ LAPSIA.
Tanpa Guamtso tuli Suomeen ollakseen uskovaisten kanssa, ja pääsikin
tänne pienen paperisodan
Where He leads… Mission trip to India (Fourth annual
convention of ALC Ministries of India). Christian Monthly 5/1998.
Brothers Richard Barney and Richard Juuti were selected by
the Foreign Mission Board to attend this years convention of the ALC Ministries
of India. Brothers Jered Niemela and Alvar Helmes
also offered to participate in the trip.
We arrived at the ALC Ministries headquarters in Tuni, Andrha Pradesh State…The
first three days were
|
First
village church to be constructed in India. Where He Leads…. 1/2000.
Juuti,
Richard: Mission trip to India. Where He Leads…2/2000. http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/index.html The
President of this village, a strict Hindu man, had fallen sick. His right leg
was always in pain, and it turned black. Treatment from doctors in the area
did not bring relief. After a lot of money was spent to find a cure for the
disease, the Pastor brought him to our ALC
Medical Clinic. I examined his leg. It was completely necrotic
(dead) from gangrene. First, I
told him about Jesus Christ, and to believe in Him who can heal his leg. I
told him that I was nothing, except that, by faith in Christ, by his grace
and with the Holy Spirit as my guide, I would treat him. The disease was TAO
(thrombotic arteriolar occlusion), a complete occlusion of the deep arteries
of the leg from a blood clot. When the
Word of God was preached to him, he believed. Now his leg is completely
healed. Through his man, many other villagers want to learn more about Jesus.
I praised God for the opportunity I had to minister to this man, both
spiritually and physically. An 11-year-old girl from
the village was brought to my home. I moved her to our clinic because her
condition was very serious. For nine months, she had suffered, and had seen
many doctors, but did not get help. Her illness was diagnosed as cardiac left
ventricular failure with hypertension, enlargement of the heart, anemia,
urinary tract infection, and chronic kidney failure.
I advised
her parents to bring her to the Medical College
Hospital in Visag, where I had
received my training. After the doctors there said there was no hope for her,
the parents returned her to me. I told
her parents about Jesus Christ, and to believe in Him, as He is the only
healer there is for their daughter. They cried and repented. I started
treatment of the girl, and after four days, they brought her back to me. She
was out of danger, and I believed she would improve. First, I
praised the Lord for using me as his servant to tell the parents about
salvation in Jesus Christ, and for using me to help cure their daughter. The
parents were happy, and cried about their sins. I told them to continue to
believe in Jesus Christ, and to walk with Him. I also told them that I was
nothing, only his instrument. They praised God, and recently attended church
for the first time. Several
Months Later: The former Hindu President of the village is completely free of TAO. He
attends church near the clinic, and encourages his villagers also to attend
church and visit the clinic for physical ailments. The 11-year-old girl
continues to make good progress, and will undergo treatment for another month
or so. Please pray for the people in
Rajavaram, that these two cases of illness will bear fruit for the salvation
of many souls. Dr Kumar, K. Syam: Operation Theatre opens in Free medical Clinic in India. Where He leads...3/2000. http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/foreign/whereheleads_js2000.pdf Maki, Bob: Visit to Orissa state. Christian Monthly 5/1999. Mäenpää, Ann-Mari. Volunteer in India – January 11 to April 5, 2000. Where He Leads…2/2000. http://www.apostolic-lutheran.org/mission/index.html
Where
He leads… Mission trip to India (Fourth annual convention
of ALC Ministries of India). Christian Monthly 5/1998. |
Dr
Kumar, K. Syam: The Apostolic Lutheran Church Free Medical Clinic of
India. Christian Monthly 8/1999.
"The ALC Free Medical Clinic is a church to heal the soul spiritually and
to heal the body physically." (Dr. K. Syam Kumar)
In the village of Rajavaram, a
Pastor has a congregation of about 100 believers. The village and sub-villages
have a total population of about 5,000, mostly Hindus. The Pastor sends many of
his people to the ALC Medical Clinic to
hear the Word of God for their souls, and for treatment of their bodies.
The
President of this village, a strict Hindu man, had fallen sick. His right leg
was always in pain, and it turned black. Treatment from doctors in the area did
not bring relief. After a lot of money was spent to find a cure for the
disease, the Pastor brought him to our ALC
Medical Clinic. I examined his leg. It was completely necrotic
(dead) from gangrene.
First, I
told him about Jesus Christ, and to believe in Him who can heal his leg. I told
him that I was nothing, except that, by faith in Christ, by his grace and with
the Holy Spirit as my guide, I would treat him. The disease was TAO (thrombotic
arteriolar occlusion), a complete occlusion of the deep arteries of the leg
from a blood clot.
When the
Word of God was preached to him, he believed. Now his leg is completely healed.
Through his man, many other villagers want to learn more about Jesus. I praised
God for the opportunity I had to minister to this man, both spiritually and
physically.
I advised
her parents to bring her to the Medical College
Hospital in Visag, where I had
received my training. After the doctors there said there was no hope for her,
the parents returned her to me.
I told her
parents about Jesus Christ, and to believe in Him, as He is the only healer
there is for their daughter. They cried and repented. I started treatment of
the girl, and after four days, they brought her back to me. She was out of
danger, and I believed she would improve.
First, I
praised the Lord for using me as his servant to tell the parents about
salvation in Jesus Christ, and for using me to help cure their daughter. The
parents were happy, and cried about their sins. I told them to continue to
believe in Jesus Christ, and to walk with Him. I also told them that I was
nothing, only his instrument. They praised God, and recently attended church
for the first time.
Several Months Later: The former Hindu President of the village is
completely free of TAO. He attends church near the clinic, and encourages his
villagers also to attend church and visit the clinic for physical ailments. The
11-year-old girl continues to make good progress, and will undergo treatment
for another month or so. Please pray for the people in Rajavaram, that these
two cases of illness will bear fruit for the salvation of many souls.
Foreign Mission Board
Where He leads… Mission trip to India (Fourth annual convention of
ALC Ministries of India). Christian Monthly 5/1998.
Brothers Richard Barney and Richard Juuti were selected by
the Foreign Mission Board to attend this years convention of the ALC Ministries
of India. Brothers Jered Niemela and Alvar Helmes
also offered to participate in the trip.
We arrived at the ALC Ministries headquarters in Tuni, Andrha Pradesh State…The
first three days were spent in conducting the seminars. The seminars were
attended by more than 100 pastors (40 of them associated with the ALC
Ministries)…At the Pastors Seminar, our Altar Book, translated into the Telugu
language, was dedicated and distributed to the pastors…As part of an outreach
ministry a free medical clinic has been established…Following the pastors
seminar, convention services were held in four different locations. On Sunday,
Jered and Alvar visited the Yanam region, about a four-hour drive from Tuni,
where two of the pastors live…Two public schools are functioning under the ALC
Ministries…We met with the Central Board of India. We were encouraged by the
dedication and sincerety of the leaders of the Church and the pastors in
spreading the Gospel…The Central Board of India thanked the Church in America
for their prayers and financial support.
Visit to Attiriba District, Orissa State:
For several years we have been invited to visit this area of India by pastor S.P.Limma…At
one of the services, the Principles of the Doctrine-booklet (translated by
pastor S.P.Limma into the Orya language of Orissa) was dedicated and
distributed.
Yesuratnam, K.: Apostolic Life Ministries of India. Where He
Leads…Foreign Mission News of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America 1/1999.
The Apostolic Life Ministries (ALM) of India is a daughter-church of the
Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. The ALM has different wings of ministry,
such as a church ministry, literature ministry, free medial clinic and
children`s home (orphanage). The ALM Ministries managing committee consists of
Pastors K. Yesuratnam and M. P. Ratnam and Dr.
K. Syam Kumar.
The church Ministry
There are 12 congrecations spread in the central part of East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh
State where the Telugu language is spoken. There are approximately
2000 believers in these congregations, and seven pastors attend to their
spiritual needs. The Word of God is proclaimed to to people throughevangelistic
night services, personal and door-to-door evangelism, tract distribution,
street preaching, etc. We also have set Bible study hours, belivers
`fellowship, prayer hours and Sunday schools.
The literature Ministry
Literature is one of the best channels to reach the people in India. Through
the support of the ALC of America, we have recently expanded and repritend our
Telugu Hymnal called Spiritual Songs that is used extensively in our
congregations for praise and worship of the Lord. We also publish a bi-monthly
magazine called Spiritual Food.This magazine uses articles from the
English Christian Monthly and is sent to seven states in India.
The demand for our literature is great with reguests coming to us on a daily
basis. As people write us with a request for our literature, we send it by
mail. Sometimes we may go in person, taking a load of literature with us. We
try to do our best in supplying the literature to meet the needs of the
requesters. (see Literature Ministry for other Telugu-language translations.)
Apostolic Lutheran Free Medical Clinic:
The Free Medical Clinic is run by Dr. K. Syam Kumar. The clinic is used as a
channel to bring people to the knowlwdge of Christ as Dr. Kumar first preaches
the Word to them before beginning to medical exams. The majority of the
patients are Hindus.
The Free Medical Clinic was opened in June 1998. Since that time more than
25,000 patients have had examinations and treatment, with the limited amount of
medicines available, and listened to the Word of God at the clinic. Once a week
the clinic becomes a mobile clinic, traveling to a village in the interior to
treat patiens.
ALM Children`s Home (Orphanage)
The orphanage was startet to educate and give shelter to the orphan and
destitute children. The capacity of the home is 25 children. The children are
taught Bible stories in morning and evening devotions. Our prayer is that these
children will become future preachers and will spread the Word in other parts
of India.
Helmes, Alvar:
Mission Trip to India. Where He Leads 1/2001.
On February 13, Richard Juuti, Carl Lamppa, Mike Hilman, Amy Helmes, and I left
for India to visit the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. This was Richard
Juuti's fourth trip to India. Carl and I were making our second trip. Schedules
for services had been arranged beforehand by the pastors in India, and we were
kept fully occupied during our stay.
We arrived in Orissa, our first stop, on
Thursday, February 15, where we were met by Pastor S. P. Limma who drove us to
his church compound in Talpatratikira (a five-hour drive) where we stayed until
Tuesday, February 20. This was our third consecutive year in which we have
visited his church. On Friday we visited three different leper colonies
(Jharbeda, Mahnadi Lakshmi Dunguri, and Pointala). We spoke of the love of Christ
for all of them and distributed blankets to the adults and clothing to the
children after the sermon. The clothing was provided by the Hockinson Church
Sunday School children who donated $370 towards this effort. In the three
colonies there were about 190 adults plus about 60 children. The people support
themselves by begging. The children are illiterate and are not allowed to leave
the colonies to go to public schools, even though they do not have leprosy. Thus,
they will grow up to be uneducated adults and will never have an opportunity to
leave the colonies. Pastor Limma is attempting to add rooms in his compound to
accommodate 10 of the children and provide them with an education as well as to
provide spiritual instruction. Ifhe is successful in obtaining permission, the
ten children may not have to return to the leper colonies.
On Saturday, we had services at two village
churches (Paharsirigida and Bormunda), one in the morning and the second in
late afternoon. There were about 150 total people in attendance. In the first
church, we had our feet and hands washed in a basin of water, which is their
custom when guests arrive. We also had our supper at the second village.
Sunday was spent at the church compound where
we had a three-hour service. There is much singing in the churches in India
prior to the start of the actual preaching. About 175 adults and 50 children
were in attendance. A dinner was prepared for all of the people. " On
Monday we visited two tribal churches (Binji Palli and Kadali Palli) that were
started by Pastor Limma's father. We were the first Americans to visit these
churches. In the first church, we were warmly welcomed with a tribal song and
dance. The welcome song was this: "Because Jesus humbled Himself to die on
the cross on
lour behalf, we humbly welcome you to our
church." About
150 people, including children, attended the
services. In the first church we had our feet washed; in the second church, our
hands
On Tuesday morning we visited the Sutpada leper
colony and again spoke and distributed blankets and clothing. In the afternoon
we made preparations for leaving Orissa by train that evening.
After a 17-hour train ride we arrived in
Rajahmundry on Wednesday, February 21, where Dr. K. Syam Kumar has his free
medical clinic. He has also started seven churches in the area that are simply
a thatched roof canopy set on poles, but have a combined membership of 750
people.
Prior to our arrival, Dr. Kumar had translated
Luther's Small Catechism (less the Questions and Answers) into the "
Telugu language and wanted us to teach the Catechis~1 a group of about 25
Sunday school teachers. Thus, for three consecutive days, beginning on Thursday
morning, we provided about six hours of instruction in the catechism. There
were many good questions asked at the end of each session, especially as it pertains
to baptism. The classes were held at the Quarry Market Church, the first church
started by Dr. Kumar. On Thursday evening, after visiting the clinic, we had a
service at the Burugupudi Church.
On Friday morning we again visited the clinic. Later
we visited a Lutheran Bible College. We had the opportunity to speak to 50
seminary students. We had services in the afternoon and evening at the Quarry
Market Church.
On Saturday morning, February 24, our team
split up, with Richard Juuti an& Mike Hilman going with Pastor K.
Yesuratnam for two days and then going on to Pastor M. P. Sugandharatnam' s
church areas. Carl, Amy and I stayed in the Rajahmundry area.
Richard Juuti and Mike Hilman Schedule (as
written b): Dick Juuti):
Pastor K. Yesuratnam took us to his village of
Kapileswarapuram. We held services in two different churches and visited a
third church that was basically a thatched roof hut. In the evening we met with
children at the orphanage and were pleased with the children's understanding
when they were asked to explain the thoughts expressed in the 23rd Psalm. The
children are receiving some good biblical training and seem to be a healthy and
happy group. Children and staff at the orphanage. On Sunday morning, February
25, we were with about 90 Sunday school children. Pastor K. then drove us to
his brother's place where they have a small church. A service had not been
planned, but they wanted to hear a short message anyway. We then went back to
Pastor K' s for another service with about 300 people in attendance. Pastor K.
then drove us to Pastor M. P. Sugandharatnam's place in Injaram. An evening
service was held in a 12' x 12' room in Kakinada that was completely full of
people. Pastor K. Yesuratnam's church in Kapileswarapuram. Pastor M.P. has made
a down payment on a piece of property where he hopes to build a church.
On the morning of February 26, we held a church dedication at Bhatlapalika, the second church built with foreign mission funds. In the afternoon and evening we continued with services, but held them outside of the church as there was not enough room inside for the 500 people in attendance. On February 27, we held two more services at Bhatlapalika. In the evening, we held a dedica- tion service for a church in Brahmapori. This church was not newly-built, but they have put on a new roof, a cement floor, and another set of doors. This work; was paid for from the foreign mission fund. The service was again held outside because of the large crowd.
February 28 found us driving 3-1/2 hours to
Bhimavaram to hold two services in two different loca- tions. It was 12:45 p.m.
before we returned to Pastor M.P.'s.
On March 1, I spent part of the morning
visiting P . Solomon Raju, the man who has been helping Pastor M.P . and who
also did some translating for us. In the afternoon we held a service about one
hour away. In the evening we held a service in another location about 20
minutes drive with about 100 people present. Pastor M.P. had some Bibles and
New Testaments that he gave out at this service.
On March 4, we met the other team in
Visakhapatnam for the journey home. Over the last 14 days, we have " received many requests for prayers and many people also requested
that we return.
Carl Lampa. Alvar Helmes. and Amv Helmes
Schedule:
On Saturday morning, February 24, we conducted
the
last Catechism class. In the evening we had a
service at the Anandanagar Church. Sunday was our busiest day with five services
scheduled. In the morning we attended the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rajahmundry,
the largest Lutheran church in Rajahmundry , where Carl Lamppa was asked to
give the message. We also baptized Dr. Kumar's second son at the service, since
the church had requested that he be baptized there. There were over 2000 people
at the service. In the afternoon we had services at the Sched- uledCaste Colony
and Quarry Market churches. Later in the day we visited Lankalu island in the
middle of the Godavari River and conducted a service.
The Godavari River is the widest river in India
and is about 2-1/2 miles wide in Rajahmundry. In the center of the river are
two islands (Lankalu and Lankatlu) where people live. Dr. Kumar was the first
one to bring the Gospel to these people. They make their living by fishing. On
a good day, they can make the equivalent of $I.00. The huts they live in are
only temporary, since the islands are flooded by about 15 feet of water during
the monsoon season and the huts are washed away. During this time, they move to
the shore until the flood waters recede. Then they go back and rebuild their
huts. Access to the islands is made by canoes that can hold from five to six
adults.
The people on the islands are very friendly, but
they are illiterate The parents of children pled with Dr. Kumar to provide an education for their children. Thus, three teachers go
there five days a week to teach them how to read and write, and they also bring
the Gospel to the children.
In the evening we had a service at the Arypunam
Church. In this area the upper caste Hindus had burned many of the homes of
Christians and lower caste Hindus because they wanted to take their land. The
people now live in miserable conditions with barely enough food to survive. As
funds permit, Dr. Kumar has provided them with rice. Many of them, including
women and children, work in the nearby quarries where they break rock using
hammers They are paid the equivalent of$4.00 for breaking up one dump truck
load of rock ( about one week' s effort for two people; up to one month' s
effort for the very elderly). More than 35,000 people work in the quarries. Breaking
rock in the quarries. As a member of the Foreign Mission Board, I was asked to
attend the dedication of the new church in Bhatlapalika that Pastor
Sugandharatnam serves and that we had financed. On Monday, I left Rajahmundry
for the day to attend the church dedication with Richard and Mike. Carl and Amy
visited the second island on the Godavari River during the day. In the evening,
we had a service in the street outside Srino' s apartment. Srino works at the
free medical clinic and was converted from Hinduism. About 60 people were at
this service.
On Tuesday, we again went back to the first
island, the largest of the two, where we spent most of the day. We had a
service and spent much time with the approximately 200 children who live there.
On Wednesday we met with the children from the Quarry Market Church and had a
service. At the end of the service, we baptized 16 adult believers. We also
held a communion service for about 40 adults.
On Thursday, we spent most of the day traveling
to and visiting the orphanage that is run by Pastor K. Yesuratnam in
Kapileswarapuram. It was very interesting to see the changes and improvements
to his facility from the last time I was there three years ago. The children
put on a skit about Noah and the ark that was very good.
During our stay in India, Amy was kept very
busy making pipe cleaner toys for the children and teaching them English songs
and Bible stories. Mike helped her in this regard whenever possible. Amy also
played hymns on the flute she had brought along, which was much appreciated by
children and adults alike. The toys were tied to Bible stories as time
permitted. For example, the eye- glasses she made were related to
"Christians traveling by faith, not by sight."
We left Rajahmundry on Friday, March 3, for a
four- hour drive to Visakhapatnam where we would fly out of on Saturday
morning. We had to stay there overnight in order not to miss our early morning
flight to Mumbai (Bombay) on Saturday morning. We left Bombay at 2:00 a.m.,
Sunday morning, for home.
Helmes, Amy:
Thoughts on our Mission Trip to India. Where He Leads 1/2001.
In mid-February, I had the privilege of travelling to India in the company
of four Christian brothers. Our team consisted of my father-in-law, Alvar
Helmes, Richard Juuti, Carl Lamppa, Mike Hilman and myself. Travelling across
the world with only men for companions was an experience in itself, but having
been asked to write an article, I'll try to highlight those experiences more
directly related to the mission work.
The first place that our team spent time was at
the church compound in the Bargarh District of Orissa State. S.P. Limma is the
pastor of the brightly painted, tile- roofed church there. Standing at his side
as he serves are his wife, Prabha, his one-year-old daughter, Gloria Rose, and
his dear mother, Bijilamati. Also at the compound are a host of dedicated
servants and friends, His desire to serve the Lord and his devotion to his
flock became apparent as we spent our days visiting area tribal churches and
leper colonies. Our spirits and voices were often joined together in songs as
we hurtled down the dusty roads in Pastor Limma's Sumo, with the wind whipping
through our hair. With the horn in use most of the time, we were continually
dodging a myriad number of vehicles, pedestrians, and animals, enroute to our
next destination -without seatbelts.
From way back in my teenage years, I have felt drawn toward the disease of leprosy. I had read books on the subject and also found information on the Internet to become more informed prior to our trip. Because of this, our visits to the leper colonies were probably the most meaningful part of the trip for me. The Hockinson Sunday school had given a donation that Pastor Limma had used to purchase items for us to distribute. At each of the four colonies that we had the opportunity to visit, we were enthusiastically greeted with "nemeste, nemeste," by the residents, accompanied by folded hands, smiles and sometimes even tears.
We began each visit with a prayer and short
message. During this time, I also had an opportunity to work with the children
in India. I had filled a large suitcase with over 4000 colourful pipe cleaners,
most of them fastened into kits that would be used to create a small toy. As I
sat with these tattered-looking children clustered around me, i1 wasn't long
before their somber faces were breaking out in tentative smiles as they watched
a tiger, lion, butterfly, flower or eyeglasses being created. These children,
even those who don't have the disease, are considered "untouchable,"
so I had to move slowly and smile a lot, before they would let me hug or hold
them. I knew that they were considered contagious, but it was as though I had
to touch them.
When I was finished with the children, we lined
up the adults, ladies first, and began to distribute blankets. Even though the
weather is very warm most of the time, these bright, plaid blankets will
protect them from mosquitoes and in many cases, the hard ground. Also, during
the winter, the weather can get quite chilly and the blankets will be put to
good use during those months. Their appreciation was obvious as they received
their gift. They would often take my hand and hold it to their face or kiss it.
After the adults all had blankets, we passed out clothing to the children,
dresses for the girls, shirt and shorts for the boys. They proudly hugged their
new garments as they lined up to be photographed.
Farewells were difficult for me. It's painful
to see others suffer and its hard to understand God's purpose in allowing it. But
even amidst the confusion and pain, God brought a small measure of comfort to
my heart. While we were at the second colony and I was pondering this, a small
sparrow began to flit around in the dust near the children, and I knew that it
was sent as a reminder of Matthew 10:31 -Fear ye not therefore, ye are of
more value than many sparrows. God knows each of the souls there,
and if they receive the Gospel and the promise of eternal life, they are richer
than a king in his palace. Psalm 34: 10- ...but they that seek the Lord
shall not want any good thing.
There would be many other experiences to share
if space permitted, but I'll just close with this thought. Each member of our
team came to bring the Gospel, as we felt inspired by God to do so, along with
a measure of hope and encouragement, but each of us took home far more than we
brought...