India Village Update!

Back in May 2013, my family visited a little village in India called Bendigeri, it was actually the place my dad grew up as child. The children there stole my heart and changed it. They helped me see how truly beautiful this world is because of the people who fill it. I left wanting to make a difference in their lives since they had made such a drastic difference in mine.

November and December of 2013 I reached out to friends, family, my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, church, and co workers sharing my experience and hoping we could rally together to send over $1,500 to this little village filled with children who had nothing and whose only building used for school and church had just recently been destroyed by a flood. Because of the wonderful people in my life, we raised $4,151.95. This wasn't through any organization, these children aren't accustomed to receiving so much, this was purely out of the generous hearts and donations of the people in my life.

With this money, 39 children were blessed with an array of new items including: Clothes, backpacks, watches, books, pens/pencils, geometric school supplies, lunchboxes, water bottles, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and sweets. On behalf of the village, sports equipment for the kids were purchased including bats and balls to play cricket. They had previously only used sticks as their bats. For the school/church, a keyboard was purchased so they could continue to learn to play music and have something to sing along to. Additionally, there was some money left over to help with the rebuild of the school/church as well.

The children were overwhelmed by your generosity. Some cried, others were speechless, all were filled with gratitude. For some, it was the first time they felt special and loved. We received letters from the children who could write. Here are a few things they had to say:

I am Anil Gaikwad, age 9, 4th grade. I am from a very poor family. God is so good to provide these things through you all--He is love. I am grateful to you for loving us when we feel unlovable.

My name is Akash, 14 years old, 7th grade. My parents are laborers. If they work for that day we have food on the table, if not we wait for the next day for my parents to get hired and bring home money so we can get food. We survive day by day not knowing what the future holds. Thank you for the school supplies, new clothes, backpack, etc. I know these things were all packaged with love and generosity. My heartfelt love to the USA.

I am Jayashree Hulikari, age 9, 3rd grade. I am a daughter of labor workers. Thank you to each and everyone of you for providing my school supplies, backpack, geometric gadgets, and new clothes. You are making a huge difference in my life with your love, kindness, and generosity. Thank you to everyone in MOPS and the USA who contributed. I love you all.

My heart is swelling with gratitude for everyone who supported this dream, whether through money, prayers, or words of encouragement and affirmation. When I first blogged about this, sharing my heart and my hopes for raising $1,500, I felt vulnerable, scared, and like I had just set myself and these children up for failure. But, I learned through this process that if the Lord wants to accomplish something, He will. We can allow our insecurities to keep us in the shadows as silent observers, or we can trust that still small voice that allows us the privilege to be a part of the beautiful, sacred work He is already doing.

Those of you who were a part of this were a part of His plans. I am so very grateful for you and I know 39 children in a tiny village on the other side of the world who are grateful for you, too. 

You have left your mark on them--

a gesture they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

Children holding the bricks that will be used for the rebuild of the school/church

Some of the children in their brand new, clean clothes!

Some of the items the children were given

Another picture of them getting ready for the rebuild

 

These are just a few of the kids in their new clothes with their new backpacks

"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ " (Matthew 25:37, 38, 40 ESV)

--Lisa Barton

India Village--International Service Project

At our last MOPS meeting we talked about the international service project we would be participating in this year. I would like to introduce you to some of the kids in Bendigeri, a little village in South India. These kids really need basic hygiene products and school supplies. Depending on how much we raise, we also wanted to give the village a fun gift--a keyboard, because the kids enjoy learning music! Because the cost of shipping items over is a lot of money, we have decided to just send money over to my cousin and his wife (who teach the kids music and are very involved in the village) and they will buy the necessary supplies.

This is Kavita. She is in the 5th grade and is 11 years old. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father remarried and left Kavita in her grandmother's home, while he moved on with his new family. Since then, her grandmother has been taking care of her, but is now unable to work due to her age and health. Kavita and her grandmother are currently struggling to make ends meet and afford basic needs. 

 

 

This is Yeshawanth. He is in 5th grade and is 11 years old.

He has one older sister and one younger sister. His father is blind so his mother is working in agriculture to support the family. She makes very little money and is struggling to provide basic needs for her family. 

 

 

 This is Deepa. She is in 4th grade and is 10 years old. She has an older sister in 7th grade and a younger brother who is 3 years old. Her father did electrical work and in 2001 he fell from an electrical pole and hurt his leg very badly. He has not been able to work ever since. Her mother is now responsible for taking care of the whole family and doesn't make very much money. They are also struggling to afford basic needs. 

 

 

This is Prashant. He is 16 years old and is mentally disabled. His father had a heart attack while he was driving and passed away. His mother is now alone, working as a daily labor worker and is earning very little money. She is having a hard time paying for the extra care and treatment he needs.

  

 

This is Nagamma. She is 24 years old. Her father hanged himself and since then, her mother had been taking care of her. Nagamma is now studying for her Bachelors of Education, but her mother has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis. She is now struggling to continue her education because her money and time are going towards taking care of her mother.

 

 



These are just a few of many stories. When I was there visiting, these kids wrecked me. The moment we got there they were holding our hands and laughing with us and stealing our hearts. Most of them didn't have shoes and had dirty, tattered clothes. Boys as young as middle school weren't out playing soccer, they were working in 100+ degree heat, making bricks for their families to sell. This is sometimes where life gets them to. Working in fields at very young ages.

 

When we were leaving, they all surrounded our car and asked us to stay. When my dad asked where we would stay one little girl said 'they can have my bed.' This girl didn't have much to offer and was willing to give what she had. This is what made me want to give back to them. Their soft, selfless hearts.

 

Have you ever watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? You know...MOVE. THAT. BUS!!! Well, whenever I watch it, I notice that the people doing the giving always seems so honored to make someone else's dreams come true. Wouldn't it be cool to do something like that for someone else? These kids in this random village have never had a group of people from the United States shower them with love. We can be that! We have the opportunity to know the joy that comes from giving to others.

 

We will have jars out at the MOPS meetings for those of you who want to contribute money. This is not mandatory. There will be the opportunity to give all year, but we really wanted to send something over to them during the holidays. So, if you want, start thinking about how you could make this meaningful to you and/or your family to give during the holiday season!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--Lisa Barton

 

Teen MOPS-- Local Service Project

At our last MOPS meeting we introduced our service projects for the year! For our local service project we will be providing for Westgate Chapel's Teen MOPS.

Our first two dinners for Teen MOPS are Monday night Dec. 16^th and Monday night Jan. 13^th.

Teen MOPS leadership can help you with menu ideas if you need that.  A little idea of what to expect - Typically we have around 30 girls plus leadership, but the Dec. 16^th will have a higher attendance because it is our Christmas meeting!!!!  The food needs to be at Westgate Chapel ready to serve at 6:30pm, dinner is over by 6:50pm and so you can be done serving and cleaning up by 7pm (7:15pm at the latest). 

Let Wendy know if you would like to participate. Email her (w-dcarrolls@comcast.net), blog comment, or sign up at the next MOPS meeting!!!

Thank you in advance!!!!

--Wendy Carroll