India Slammed by Covid

Dear Friends,

India is now taking the brunt of the Covid pandemic’s force as thousands are dying every day in the current spike in cases there. The government reports that over 3000 new deaths are being reported every day, a number that our ministry contacts say is greatly underreported. Leaders that we know well have seen Covid hit their own families and close friends. Many predict that India will soon become the world’s leader in Covid fatalities.

Pastors and their wives hit hard by virus

In a phone conversation with the ministry leader on Monday, we learned that nine of their pastors and two of their wives have passed away in just the last few days. These are men and women in their 40’s and 50’s who leave families and loved ones without any means of support. According to the leader, some of them were at the training we held in October of 2019 at their Navapur Bible School. Several of those in the attached photo are now with Jesus. These were vibrant believers who had already given much for the Kingdom of God.

Since most of the pastors serve in remote village areas of India, they do not have access to hospital care or the needed medical supplies that would help them fight off the Covid virus. And with the churches already shut down because of the virus, pastors were already hard pressed to make ends meet. Of course, India with its vast population of almost 1.4 billion is facing shortages of needed medical equipment all over the country as well as an insufficient supply of vaccines to take care of its projected needs. All of this is working together to create a disaster of epic proportions.

Our ministry partners are seeking to raise $2000 each for the families have died to try and help them get through this tragedy. With an anti-Christian government pressuring them from one side and the full force of Covid now sweeping upon them from another, believers in India need our prayers and support more than ever.

To help us in this effort, please visit our contribution page or send your gift to Hope Builders International, PO Box 91359, Austin, TX 78709.

Looking with you to Jesus on their behalf,

Lance & Christie Thollander

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A Back to School in Nepal Update

News from God Loves Orphans and Widows

Warm greetings to you from Nepal and the GLOW family,

We all are doing well and pray that you are also in good health. The COVID19 pandemic lockdown has caused a lot of problems in our country.  The lockdown has left many without jobs and made daily living and even survival for many difficult. We are near the beginning of the school calendar here in Nepal. The financial situation of the families of the children we had been supporting with school supplies and educational materials is even worse due to the lockdown. Due to that the children are in greater need of the school supplies and stationery support than ever. We are planning to distribute educational materials and school supplies to 80 to 100 students varying from grade one to twelve.

The parents of the students receiving the supplies work as daily laborers either on construction sites or in other types of manual work. Most of them have been out of work since the Covid19 lockdown started. Your support will allow students to continue their studies despite their families financial situation. Here is a story about one of our supported students:

I am studying in grade seven. Here is a picture of me receiving supplies last year from GLOW. I have gotten school support from GLOW for several years. My parents work in construction as daily laborers. Their income is barely enough for us to survive, let alone sending us to school. This annual package of school supplies support has helped me continue and perform well at school. Thank you for all your help to me and the other students. We want to make a difference in our country.

The cost breakdown for the students we want to help is as follows:

  •  Students in junior school:  $50/student Total of 50 students: $2500
  •  Students in middle school: $80/student Total of 30 students: $2400
  •  Students in high school: $100/student Total of 20 students: $2000

We urge you to partner with us in providing this much needed material support. Here is a picture of our team presenting school supplies.   

With love in Christ,

The Glow Staff 

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Nepal Covid-19 Report

Dear Friends.

Many of you are wondering how our overseas friends are coping with the pandemic crisis. Here is a beautiful report that we received from Nepal that describes how your gifts impact lives in the midst of a very difficult time.

Lance & Christie Thollander

Greetings from Nepal,

We hope and pray you all are doing well. We have been under a complete lockdown for 40 days. The lockdown has shut many businesses and daily laborers are laid off work. During this time, thanks to support we have received, we were able to distribute food rations to 200 families and 150 families in Lalitpur and Pokhara respectively.

Each family received rice, flour, lentils, masala, cooking oil, salt, sugar, beaten rice, and soap. Distributions to the families went really well and we had the full support of the local government authority. We are planning for a second phase of ration distribution and ask you to remember us in your prayers for guidance and provision. Here is a story from one person whose life has been changed through GLOW’s recent help:

Anita

My name is Anita. Let me share a little bit with you of my history. I come from a poor family, it was difficult for us to meet even the basic needs. My mother and father both did daily labor work to raise us. After grade 7 my family could no longer afford to pay for my studies so I quit school and started helping my family by also working as a day laborer.

I got married and we eventually had 2 kids. I no longer could work so my husband worked while I stayed at home. My husband’s income wasn’t enough to raise the kids and provide for their education and other needs. One day I heard from a neighbor about an organization called “GLOW,” God Loves Orphans and Widows, providing free tailoring classes to poor women like myself. I started attending these classes and getting tailoring training from GLOW. After completing my training, I found a shop to work in near my home and have been working there ever since. Due to the training I received from
Glow I have been able to provide the extra needed for my kids.

But now my tailoring shop has been closed due to the pandemic and I do not have another source of income. As my family doesn’t have savings to provide for ourselves during such a crisis we
were in serious trouble. How were we going to provide food for us and our kids?

Then I got a call from GLOW. When I saw GLOW on my phone, I had a glow in my face. They asked me how I was doing and if I needed any help? I told them that I was unable to run my business and it was hard for me and my family to provide for our daily needs. They told me that GLOW was distributing relief packages.

Tears started rolling from my eyes … GLOW had come to my rescue yet again! They helped me in the past by providing me free tailoring training and now they are providing me with relief when I need it the most. I can’t express how thankful I am towards GLOW. When I and others like me were helpless, GLOW came to wipe our tears and lend us a helping hand. When all seemed to be lost GLOW showed me the light. I am forever indebted and grateful. I pray to God to bless GLOW and its efforts to provide relief to those in need.

 

Our mailing address is: Hope Builders International, P O Box 91359 Austin,
TX 78709 USA. When you send gifts, please mention CFO on the memo line.

Thank you and God bless you in Christ.

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Varun Finds a Home

Dear Friends,

What with the constant barrage of a 24/7 news and media cycle that presents us with less than happy or optimistic news, and our own pressures and challenges, sometimes we miss out on the good things that are happening around us. Here is a brief story we received from one of our overseas partners that will brighten your day.

Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Many times we face a lot of troubles as we are serving the Lord in our country. But we are
learning to be careful as we carry out our ministry. We thank you for your prayers as we do
that. We have given our whole lives to Christ’s service. For us to live Is to serve Christ and to bring people into the knowledge of salvation. We are very happy as the Word of Lord is being planted into the hearts of the children we serve, young ones who previously did not know how to brush their teeth or take a bath with soap. Now they know how to do these simple things and are teaching other children to do them.

After our Christmas Nativity program, we asked the children if anyone wanted to give a testimony about the change in their lives after receiving Christ. To our surprise there were more than ten children who stood up. One by one each child started to testify about Christ.

Varun, a 12-year boy, stood up and said he never would have thought that one day he would end up here in the Children’s home. His parents are alcohol addicted and spent all their money drinking while the children were left hungry.

To get food, Varun used to steal from the stores and also steal money. Many a times he was beaten when he was caught. Then one day as he was passing by the orphanage, he heard the songs of the children. As he observed us, he could see that the children received good food and care. Afraid to ask us questions, he spent more than ten days watching the children.

Then the day came that he asked me if he could join our home. After hearing his story, we took him in and gave him a place where he could go to school and where he is fed three times a day. Today Varun is not stealing or fighting anymore. Instead, he is praying to God for his parents to change and wants to be an evangelist someday.

Such testimonies are the rewards for our ministry. When I heard the boy speaking, I had no words, but tears of joy rolled from my eyes and I thanked God for giving me this opportunity to serve him.

Dear friends in Christ, it is because of your financial support and prayers that we can continue the ministry even in the hard situations. We believe that God will reward you for the big and small financial support that you are sending to our ministry.

Luke 6:38 says, “Give and it shall be given unto you: Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you give, it will be measured back to you.”

We pray that the Lord supply all your needs and bless you. Here is a picture of the children at prayer this month. Please continue to uplift our ministry and family in your prayers as we work for the Lord.

Our mailing address is: Hope Builders International, P O Box 91359 Austin,
TX 78709 USA. When you send gifts, please mention CFO on the memo line.

Thank you and God bless you in Christ.

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CHILD SPONSORSHIP GIVES HOPE AND PRACTICAL HELP

Native Missionary Movement: Update from the Chidren’s Home & School in Navapur

Dear NMM Friends,

Many communities in Northern India have toiled hard for generations simply to survive. Some men and women haven’t had the privilege of pursuing an education themselves, and they are helpless to give one to their children.

But God loves these children deeply, and He is working in part through NMM children’s homes to give them a chance for a better future.

NMM child sponsorship gives more than 1,000 needy children a daily meal and regular medical checkups for their physical health and development. The program also helps the children with their education so they can one day get a good job and afford enough food, decent clothing, medical supplies, and other necessities of life for themselves and their families. Beyond this, these homes provide the children with opportunities to pursue and even excel in their God- given skills and interests.

You can make an incredible difference in the lives of children and their       Sponsor a child families through NMM children’s homes.  When you sponsor a child, you for $25 a month. bring hope and encouragement to a family and help break the cycle of poverty. Your support gives a child and his family a far brighter future.

Through our children’s homes, God is enabling these children to become all they possibly can be so they can be a blessing in the future to many others throughout Northern India. Millions of children in India live life never knowing the hope that awaits them in Christ. However, through NMM children’s homes, they get to learn for the first time what it’s like to have new life and be embraced by their Heavenly Father.

Thank you for your financial support and prayers that allow many to experience incredible love!

Joy Punnoose NMM President

Our Annual Day Celebration was such a joyful occasion. All the children could display their talents on stage.

The past academic year was a wonderful experience for everyone at Navapur’s Home of Hope & School. We thank God for all the staff, teachers, and volunteers who worked hard and loved the kids. Without this team, we would not be able to achieve our goal of giving Jesus to the little ones before they leave Home of Hope.

Teaching Team at Home of Hope
Our hearts are filled with gratitude to God for His marvelous works here this past year!
Graduating Class of 2019

Guda is a village in Alirajpur District of Madhya Pradesh. It has a population of around 4,000 people with a very poor literacy rate of 5%. Pr Edubhai Chouhan, who ministers in this village, was blind from birth. His parents took him to many places hoping to cure his blindness, but all was in vain. Deperate about these failed attempts, Edubhai decided to commit suicide; but that failed too.

Hearing of Edubhai’s plight, a pastor visited him, shared the Gospel, and prayed for him. Miraculously, Edubhai was healed and saw the light of this world for the first time! Submitting to Christ, he began spreading Good News in his village. Suddenly, Edubhai found himself in the midst of trouble and rejection. His kith and kin became his enemies, forcing him and his family to leave their home. They took shelter under a tree for eight months before moving into a small hut Edubhai made himself.

Pr Edubhai (man on the left of this photo)

The villagers forbade them drinking water for becoming followers of Christ. So they had to travel to ten different locations to collect water for their daily use. But NMM’s drilling of a tube well by Edubhai’s hut was God’s boon to this family. It not only serves Edubhai and his family—but the villagers too! Edubhai has been truly reflecting Christ in the midst of rejection by society.

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Musa’s Great Adventure

Opening the door of God’s Kingdom to the Mankidias of India

When Pastor D. B. Hrudaya of Orissa, India, first heard of the Mankidia people group, they were among the most nomadic and illiterate peoples of northern India. They were known as “monkey hunters” and forest dwellers. There were no believers in Christ among them. They worshiped evil forest spirits. Their culture was rampant with oppression and hopelessness. They could boast of no high school graduates, medical knowledge or social graces.

Two such examples were Arun Mankidia and his wife Salomi. They lived in a primitive hut made of branches in the remote Dengam jungle. They suffered with severe depression due to the influence of the evil spirits that they worshipped. They had to walk 25 miles through the jungle to sell the hand made rope that they wove from the forest vines at the nearest market. They were without God and without hope in the world.

Into this picture, stepped a man named Musu Marandi. He is one of Pastor Hrudaya’s field staff. Hrudaya and his team had been praying for an opening among the Mankidia people for over 10 years but with no breakthrough. They had reached the point where some of Hrudaya’s workers had learned the Mankidia language. With some outside support, the ministry was able to send Musu into the jungle areas where they lived. Finally, on one of the weekly market days, Arun met Musu in the market. After a lengthy conversation where Musu shared the good news of Christ with him, Arun decided he wanted to know more about the wonderful person of Jesus.

Arun went home and shared what he had learned with Salomi. She had just miscarried a baby for the third time. The hopelessness of her married life was at its greatest height. But on that wonderful day she received new hope. The news of forgiveness and a new life in Christ was a revelation to her. God had begun His good work in her and Arun’s hearts.
Arun and Salomi visited Musu at his home. He fully explained the plan of salvation to them in their language. On that day, Musu led them to Jesus Christ. Their lives were forever changed. They immediately began sharing the news of Jesus with other Mankidias. A new work was born!

Not long thereafter, both Arun and Salomi came to Pastor Hrudaya’s training center in Balasore, Orissa, for Biblical training and church planting training. In 2014, they graduated and went back to work among their own communities. Starting in their own village and reaching out from there, they now have spread the Gospel into 13 villages. So far, about 2000 Mankidias have come to Christ. Today, they have developed a small outreach team focusing on reaching the remaining Mankidias for Christ.

Though funding has been very limited for this wonderful project, much has been done to raise the living conditions of the Mankidias. Efficient farming techniques have been introduced, land for growing crops has been provided to them, medical clinics have been held and literacy centers have been established. The first Christian Mankidia marriages have been celebrated. The Mankidia project, initiated in 2014 in order to introduce the Mankidias to the God who made them, loves them and died for them, has developed them in every way. The included pictures bear testimony to that reality.
But this is still just the beginning. With the provision of strategic funding, the project can touch many more lives.

Here is what is needed to bring the Mankidia work into fuller effectiveness:

1. The provision of regular support for 5 workers at $100 per month
2. Funding for four Medical Camps at $800 per camp
3. The establishment of literacy centers among the not yet reached villages of the Mankidias. These cost about $300 to set up and $150 a month to maintain.
4. One motorbike at $1000 for a regional worker to travel among the villages.
5. Establishment of a Mankidia Goat project. This effective project works as follows: A family is given 3 goats at a cost of $50. The family cares for the goats for two years in which time their small herd normally grows to 10. After that, the additional goats can be sold in the market. Past project experience shows this will provide an annual income of over $600 to the family. Pastor Hrudaya wants to start this project with 60 Mankidia families so is seeking $3000 to get it launched.

Will you help us provide new support for this fruitful work among the Mankidia people? There are many Arun’s and Salomi’s out there who will become wonderful ambassadors of the love of Christ to their fellow Mankidias.

With deep thanks,
Lance Thollander for HBI, Pastor Hrudaya and the Mankidia people

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