{Day 339}

I’m really excited about this post since I’ve been anxiously waiting to share with you a little of what’s happening with “our” beautiful children in India.  It seems like a fitting topic on Valentines Day because I love them so much.  Actually my sweet, wonderful friend Paige who has been living in India with her husband helping these orphans is guest blogging today!  Thank you so much Paige and Sean for all you do for these children.  I know you love them dearly and it shows.  Here is Paige:

In the last two years we have seen our 5 year olds turn 7, our 8 year olds turn 10, and our 11 year olds turn 13.  If you were to come to India now, you would see a group of children who do not look like orphans, act like orphans or feel like orphans.  They would tell you they have hope for a bright future.  When I look out over “my” kids, I see great leaders and a bright future for the next generation of India.

Without very many good leaders for role models, the staff thought it was important to teach a hand picked group of children about leadership.  They are youth who range in age from 13 – 15 years old.  Some are quiet leaders and some are outspoken, some are implementers and some are visionaries, but all of them love Jesus and want to grow in their leadership skills.

The leadership program began in September and we currently have 26 leaders.  Training takes place once a month and our staff does an amazing job teaching and challenging the youth to become all that they were created to become.  Our model is Servant Leadership; best displayed by the life of Jesus.

As they learn about leadership we also want them to put what they have learned into practice.  The leaders are used at our 2^nd Saturday daylong events that we have every month.  They also get to be leaders at our camps in May and October.  This past October was their first opportunity to put their training into practice.  They all had a great time but were very tired when camp was over.

We see the potential to have 3 or 4 different leadership training centers based on the locations of the homes.  Right now these 26 teens are our pilot project and we are very excited about what is happening with them and what they are learning.

In order to train these leaders once a month we needed funding for food and transportation.  The total cost for the training each month is $100.  We have a group of 4 college friends, who were on leadership staff as RAs together, who decided to sponsor this leadership program.  We are so thankful for them and for their belief that our children can make a difference in India!

Every time you give, you give to children who ARE making a difference in their village, their state, and their country.

Will you give today?  Even $5 dollars?  For Valentines Day let’s spread some tangible love and give to these children in need.  Will you love truly?

(Pictures: Leaders serving lunch at camp, Malleswari in Feb. 2011, leadership boys, leadership girls, First Day of Leadership Training, Malleswari in October 2012 Teaching Photography at Camp)

UPDATE ON HOSANNA….

Here are two pics of Hosanna taken on Monday.  Sandhya who is in one picture with him is the staff member in charge of calling him everyday, praying for his mom and for him on the phone, scheduling his blood tests, and finding out what he needs.  We got Hosanna’s blood test results back. His white and red blood cells are normal but his platelets are continuing to go down. He is at 47,000. We need a miracle. He will be coming in Friday again for another blood test to see what has happened a week after the treatment is finished. He has a fever and is too weak to go to take the blood test… We will be having a weekend of prayer and fasting for him on Saturday and Sunday evening (one meal per day).  We are having all our kids fast dinner on both nights and pray for Hosanna.  Will you join us and spread the word?  Thank you so much!