Lives Changed Through India Partners
New York Doctor Visits Orphans Faith Home
Dr. Elizabeth and Teymour Farman-Farmaian lost their newborn daughter, Sophia, in December 2002. Desirous to find an outlet for their sadness and a distraction from their despair, they sought an opportunity to do something positive for children in need. This led them to contact India Partners.
Through our partner organization, Orphans Faith Home, Beth and Teymour were able to conduct medical clinics for impoverished children of India, as well as teach English, play soccer and share love. Their time and talents were of tremendous help to those they served.
Pastor Babu writes: "The visit of Dr. Beth and her husband was [a] blessing for us as well as for many children in the villages. May the Lord give them great reward for all the things they have done to help our children. God bless them richly!"
During their stay, Beth and Teymour helped 600 children--most of whom suffered from malnutrition, anemia and worms--as well as almost 200 men and women. In addition, they donated thousands of dollars' worth of medicines and gave toys, candy, bubbles and supplies to hundreds of children.
Beth writes: "...we gave them the gifts we bought for them...you cannot imagine the excitement it brought to this orphanage....for a moment, the Indian sky was filled with delighted giggles, shrieks and BUBBLES!"
Teymour and Beth now have two healthy children and are active supporters of India Partners and the Dhya Health Clinic at the Orphans Faith Home.
Kamal's Tears: "Christmas for Street Children" Turns Sorrow to Joy
Each year, many lives are transformed through the outreach of Orphans Faith Home's annual "Christmas for Street Children" program. A boy we shall call Kamal was the leader of a group of five young boys living together on the streets of a small town in India. A true orphan, Kamal did not even know who his parents or relatives were. One recent Christmas Day, while out on the streets, he heard music coming through a public address system somewhere. As he approached the source of the music, he could hear that the sound was that of people singing from a nearby church. Then Kamal heard an invitation for all the children on the street to come in to hear a story about someone named Jesus and to enjoy a party where they would receive food, clothes and a toy. With the promise of food for the day, Kamal went into the church. He sat down and chatted with the other street kids who had also been drawn there. Shortly thereafter, Pastor Sundaram related how this day was the birthday of Jesus, who loved each one of them. When he heard the pastor's words, Kamal was shocked and began to cry.
After the story was over, the church held the party. The kids played games together, and gratefully received their promised food, clothing and toys, all provided through the generosity of India Partners' supporters. Eventually the party came to a close and the other children left the church. But Kamal stayed. Pastor Sundaram had noticed Kamal's tears. Now he asked the boy why he had been crying. Kamal replied that earlier that very day, when he had asked someone for food, he had been terribly beaten. Kamal embraced and kissed the pastor's legs and said that he wanted to stay and live with the pastor.
Orphans Faith Home offered to take Kamal into the orphanage, but Pastor Sundaram and his family volunteered to keep the lad in their own home. To this day, Kamal has been under the watchful care of this kind pastor and his wife. Thriving under the nurture of godly people like Pastor Sundaram, Kamal is off the streets and attending school. Through the "Christmas for Street Children" program, Kamal's life has been changed. He has hope for his future!
Selvi's Joy
Selvi, a woman in her mid-20s, has been paralyzed in her legs since the age of two. Until recently, she spent her life mainly inside her parents' house, pulling herself across the floor. When her sisters and brother left the house to play with their friends, she felt rejected and alone.
Selvi remembers the time she was a teenager when the whole family—including herself—went to the beach. When they got there, however, the family left Selvi in the car as they played in the warm sand and water. Her heart was broken.
One day, a friend told Selvi about Agape Rehabilitation Center. Selvi applied to Agape and was accepted. On her first day there, she was loaned a wheelchair. The experience of suddenly being mobile, and on the same level as other people, was overwhelming.
At Agape she studied hard to learn English and master the computer skills that would allow her to find a job and become independent. A recent graduate of Agape's program, Selvi now works at Able Computers, a job center run by Agape. To get around town, Selvi has also learned to operate a hand-powered cycle. Her mobility and training are opening new doors for her.
Furthermore, Selvi accepted Christ as her Savior at the annual "Get-to-know Jesus" camp. Over the past two years, she has become a group leader at the camp, guiding other disabled persons in spiritual matters. To Selvi, the newfound hope and independence in her life is a miracle, a gift from God.
