Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
2011 has been an exciting year for all of us at Freedom’s Hope Ministry, Inc./LIFE Aid Foundation, since God has enabled us to increase the scope of our ministry work in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Uganda, and a little in Nepal because of your giving. When Mike lost his earthly paying job for the cause of Christ we knew that particular avenue of ministry in the school where he was working was probably over for him, and began working more in the international aspect of the ministry, which is a great help, as well as working on proposals for possible grants for a truly Christian center for troubled teen boys who really desire help. We are praying for God to open up that avenue of local ministry if indeed it is God’s will for this time. We know He will provide for the work He has called us to do, just as He has been showing us through His miraculous provision since our income was cut by almost 2/3, both for our family and the ministry. God has actually made it possible to expand some facets of the ministry in these countries mentioned above this year as He himself has placed it on individual’s hearts to give for certain aspects of the ministry. We will give you a quick summary of what God has enabled us to do this year through your prayers and generous gifts. You have made this possible by cheerfully giving a portion of God’s provision for you. We can’t thank you enough for opening your heart to the spiritually and physically needy around the world.
In India, our overseer was able to visit many of the indigenous pastors and the ministries they are doing. After the first ministry trip, Bro. Peter let us know of some urgent needs in some children’s homes for orphans, where the directors/house parents who took the children into their homes. We prayed God would allow us to help with these steadfast workers for the Kingdom of God and He did. We have not been able to help very much but even the $20 – $40 in a month makes a gigantic difference in the lives of the children. It means the difference between the children having food or not having it; having an education or not getting one; and having clothes to wear or not having them. These are the things we’ve been able to do for these little ones that God cares for so very much. Below are pictures of the children we’ve been able to help in India this year.
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- Feeding the 70 Children of Good Shepherd’s Home in India
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- Bala Sundaram and children in India during Peter’s visit.
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- Masilimani cares for 18 children in his home. Some are pictured here with the 2 bags of rice and vegetables which he was able to purchase for the children with only $18 USD.
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- Michaela volunteers her time many days a week to teach these poor children and others how to read, write, and about Jesus.
We have been supplementing for the costs.
Peter Naveen (LAF overseer in India) with his wife, Subasini, and his son, Kamal. Peter and Suba put together gift packages for 133 children in these childrens homes combined during the 3rd week of Dec. 2011, with the help of a couple relatives. We have also been paying for a motorbike, which Peter and Suba are using to get from place to place for ministry. They (together) actually picked up; 1. detergent soap for clothes, 2. bathing soap,3. face powder, 4. face cream, 5. Vaseline (cold cream for body) very much useful at this winter season in India, 6. pen, and 7. tooth paste on that small motorbike. Were hoping to add Scripture booklets in the Telugu language. They were out of stock currently, so Peter is looking for other sources.
In Nepal: This year we’ve been able to be a conduit for the generous support coming in monthly for Gentle Hearts Foundation (with 12 children in Arjun and Shobhas care now, the costs have risen above this support, so we pray for funds for additional support for this loving children’s home where the children are learning daily about Jesus. This year 3 of the older boys accepted Jesus as their Savior and requested baptism in water. This is total success.)
At Gentle Hearts Gentle Hearts Family in Nepal. Bro. Pawan with Nani after 6 being baptized in water. Houseparents/Founders, Arjun and Shobha Dhakal back left. surgeries for the severe burns. after confessing Jesus as With a growing family, there are growing costs, so they are in Thank you for your prayers and His Savior. need of additional support. financial help to make the surgeries possible. She is needing additional medical care for urinary problems.
By God’s grace and provision we were able to provide Nepalese Bibles for Bro. Silvanus and Bro. Ruben Rasali who work in different areas of Nepal. We were also able to be instrumental in helping Nani, a 7 yr. old girl (pictured above with Pawan who rescued her and helped her 6 necessary surgeries. She was severely burned by her natural mother who wanted to get more money begging to feed her alcohol addiction. Together we helped Pawan and Silvanus (indigenous ministers) financially to help Nani get the care she needed. Now she is in a Christian home with Pawan, who found her. Now she wears a beautiful smile and knows real love for the first time in her young life.
Through the generosity of “Faith Comes by Hearing”, who donated Proclaimers for use by two of our indigenous pastors working and living in countries opposed to the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel is going forth in remote villages and among poor kiln workers. The seed of Truth is being planted and watered and God Himself is giving the increase.
We have just begun an additional exciting project, January 2012, in one of these countries whereby an indigenous trained teacher goes to one of the very remote villages to teach the children to read, write, and share with them the love of our Lord and Master for them and their families. These villages are begging to have their children taught, so they will not continue to be illiterate. Two teachers are now actively teaching as of the first week of January in two different villages and we expect to be able to sponsor a 3rd one soon with the help of a 3rd donor. So now, we have 3 sponsors for 3 teachers. The cost to support one teacher for one month is only $100 USD at this time. It used to be $80, but costs have increased. We are praying for 9 more teachers for 9 additional villages. This effort will touch 100’s, if not thousands of families over time. If you’d like to be a part of this project, please let us know. We’ve put a couple of pictures below, but dare not put more than this, since we want to protect our Father’s workers in the vineyard.
