Joy in the Orphanage in India

August 29- Sept 7 I was at this boys' orphanage in Nawabganj, India.

What's so amazing is that of all the 165 boys that we tested for Tuberculosis, HIV, and did physicals on, none were sad or sorry to be at the orphanage. They were all grateful to be cared for by the staff, taught at the school, and well-fed (by their standards). One by one, they told me of becoming orphaned or being brought to the orphanage by a parent due to lack of food. They also shared with me what they liked to do for fun, what they would like to be when they grow up, and their hope for their future. At least four boys told me they wanted to become a pastor and share Christ in the villages they came from. What's remarkable about that is that it is a dangerous place to be a Christian. 18 pastors were martyred and 61 churches were burned down just during the last 3 weeks in India. And also, a few boys at the orphanage now are from an unreached people group, the Taurus. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see these boys learn about Christ at the orphage and return to witness in that village!

You may have read or heard of the flooding in India. That's in the Bihar region and another "M" from Iowa, Jonathan was helping with flood relief while we were there.