It was during the time of my theological training. I had resolved to concentrate my prayers on world missions for the year. As a prayer aid, I had taken up reading through Patrick Johnstone's "Operation World". When I got to the section on India, I was surprised to find that 19 days were devoted to this country. As I read, it became evident to me that, in light of the great need in this country, the time devoted was appropriate.
This country has not let go of me since then. That same year I went to India to see how and where I could get involved personally to help alleviate some of the need. During my trip I came into contact with two native missionaries. My wife, Patricia, and I have been in contact with this couple ever since as we have stood by them, providing support in word and deed. Our vision for India has grown together.
In the year 2000, we founded IN.touch as a way of enabling other interested individuals to help in the work. We began by financing a medical clinic to work in the leper colonies. After that, our vision expanded and children came into our focus. This led to the founding of kindergartens, or "Balvadis", in which we cared for pre-school aged children, preparing them for primary school. Soon after, training center for young Christians and future leaders were founded, which occurred even without our help.
But the need in India is so much greater.
What about the many unreached people groups? What about the Dalits—the so-called "untouchables"? And so our vision grew and continues to grow.
Our next projects included children's homes in unreached people group settlements, boarding schools near the leper colonies and the founding of new Christian schools.
There are so many poor and suffering in India. Will you help us help them?
Lepers and their dependents are the poorest of the poor: men and women without prospects for a better life. The frustration and depression experienced by parents and grandparents is often taken out on the most vulnerable—their own children. So we provide care for the children during the day at our Day Care Center where we also prepare them for school. When they are ready to go to school, we offer the children a place in our boarding school, where they can grow in a warm atmosphere of Christian love and care. The parents may visit their children at any time and many of them accept this offer with thankful hearts.
For the children in the Himalayan region, it is not the stigma of being a leper that disadvantages them, but rather their isolation. In rural areas there is nothing available to prepare them for school. And without the proper preparation none of these children will set foot into the Indian school system.
No education, no prospects—it's the same all over the world.
Since we've become involved, many children now go to the "Balvadi"—a type of kindergarten/pre-school, and receive a good educational foundation, as well as nutritional meals. "Our" children are doing well and getting positive responses from their teachers when they go on to the primary school. Our workers also visit the parents and relatives of the children on a regular basis to update them on the progress of their children and form friendships. Many parents are coming to know Jesus through this contact and house churches are being formed. Family after family is getting new life purpose and goals, and more and more it is changing the entire society.
"What a wondrous miracle it is that we get to participate in."
Armin and Patricia Weissenfels
Update from the Day Care Center
Two-year-old Reshma has been coming to our day care center for two months. Already, after such a short time, her parents have noticed that her countenance has changed. Before coming, she had never sought contact with other children, never played with them. This tendency was a major concern of the parents when they brought her for the first time to the day care center. Now, they watch with joy as Reshma goes up to the other children and plays with them. This is one reason why her father now comes regularly to the church services.
Here's how you can help:
12 Euro/Month will support one child in a Balvadi or Day Care Center.
24 Euro/Month will support a child in our children's home.
48 Euro/Month will provide for the cost of living of a native missionary.
Of course, every gift helps, whether one-time or on a regular basis—it's your decision.
"If you are interested in sponsoring someone on a more personal basis, we will be glad to send you information about individual children or native missionaries. Also, additional information may be requested on the children's home, the school, the work amongst the lepers, the aid to the Dalits and the work amongst unreached people groups."
Short Term Missions
GLOBE Europe offers short-term missions to India every year. On a typical trip, we might visit the Kindergarten (Balvadi, Day Care Center), play and sing with the children, visit the parents and workers, encourage, bless, teach and learn.
IN.touch is a branch ministry of GLOBE Europe.
Willing to give a donation?
In the USA and Canada:
Please send your checks to:
Globe International
PO Box 3040
Pensacola, FL 32516
And earmark them: GE – IN.touch
In the UK:
Please send your cheques to:
Globe Europe - UK
PO Box 29068
Dunfermline
Fife KY11 4YJ
Cheques should be payable to "Globe Europe - UK", with a note detailing the intended missionary or project. If you would like to make donations by standing order, or by direct transfer, telephone or Internet banking, please contact the UK Office first for the relevant information.
If you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase the value of your donation at no extra cost to yourself by completing a Gift Aid declaration. To do this, download the form from our website, print and complete it, and then mail it to the UK Office (address above).
E-mail
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or telephone 01383-731618 (+44-1383-731618)
