December 2006 Team Letters and Photos
Tuesday, December 12
Greetings from Orphans Faith Home, India! Thank you for sending the team led by Mr. Brian Stark. For two days we had a pastors meeting with 100 people where Brian and David Samuel taught the Bible and the rest of the team shared their salvation, testimonies and experiences in their Christian life. It was such a blessing to all the pastors.
I thank the team once again for their great love and affection towards the children in our home. They made so happy all our children by praying with them, laughing with them, teaching songs and new games, and distributing toys and candies. May the Lord bless them and give them greater reward for all the things that they have done unto these poor and orphan children in India.
Rev. G. Parishudha Babu, Orphans Faith Home
Friday, December 15
We are so blessed to be able to help you and the mission team. We enjoyed the time of fellowship that we had together. Thanks for your donation and gifts as a group to Agape and to us personally also. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and your kind words of encouragement. In Christ,
Daniel & Avitha Victor, Agape Rehabilitation Center
Friday, December 15
It is hard to imagine that our time in India is over. Two team members are home, two are enroute, two are having some R&R in Singapore and one is still in India on business.
Our final days in India were split between spending time at Agape Rehabilitation Center and shopping. Daniel and Avitha run Agape, a school for physically disabled people that teaches both computer and life skills. They have a live-in hostel in their home for some of the students. Daniel and Avitha Victor were a special blessing to the team. We each commented on their humility, wisdom and peace.
Lunch at Agape Rehabilitation Center
It was a joy and blessing to sit on the floor and share lunch with the students, eating with our fingers off a banana leaf plate. After lunch, the team had the opportunity to share Christmas carols with the students as well as to teach about oral and physical hygiene. We also took the opportunity to share the Gospel through testimony.
Hygiene Kits
Daniel and Avitha shared their vision to build a center so they can expand their impact. Currently, they are having to vacate their current home because the landlord desires to reoccupy the home. They are trusting God for a place close to the existing school that is handicap friendly and large enough for their family and the hostel. Quite a tall order, but not for the God of the Universe!
After a day of shopping, the team took time to reflect and pray before heading our separate ways. It was so encouraging to hear some of the team's responses. Each team member truly enjoyed connecting with the people of India. We learned much of true commitment to Christ and sacrifice through their lives and testimony. We truly enjoyed each other's company and fellowship.
The overall low point was the illnesses that plagued our team, but we also noted that, even in that, God was at work for His glory! Please continue to pray for the team members. God challenged and encouraged each one in certain areas of our lives, whether it was confirming a calling, rekindling spiritual gifts or being stretched out of their comfort zones and realizing they need to continue practicing those things when they get home.
Thank you for your prayers and interest in the team! We definitely felt and appreciated your prayers, encouragement and support!
Brian Stark for the team: David Borum, Maria Doughty, Amy Kirkpatrick, Priscilla Ko, Lisa Smith, and Melanie Stark
