India Mission

This year came with its challenges as well. There were still a lot of restrictions due to Covid overseas. It was quite difficult to arrange things such as transportation. And there was so much need every where you looked. I really didn’t know where to even start. Fortunately, I was able to call upon a couple of local pastors that were able to help me arrange a few small but successful projects. For my first project, one of the pastors recommended a very small, rural community with predominantly non-Christian families. He had visited them before and taught them a few Christian songs and prayed with them. Their livelihood consisted of the men climbing the coconut trees, knocking them down, and the women gathering the coconuts for the owner of the land. It is so unique how they do that, wrapping their feet around the truck and just making their way up and down, all day long. Two pastors, my sister, and I decided to go in the evening because nobody would be home during the daytime. I was a little nervous because there is a lot of anti-Christian violence in India especially in small, poor areas. However, to my surprise, we were welcomed warmly and were able to distribute clothing for 65 children and 30 women. The men stayed at a distance but after the pastor starting speaking, they slowly came closer and joined us. It ended up being a joyous and successful night. Even if we didn’t actually convert anyone that night, we opened their eyes to the love of our Lord…and that’s all that mattered.

My second project was a really fun one. I arranged a little day retreat for the young women’s group in my sister’s church. I rented a van and we went to very large orange tree farm that is owned by a man who lived close to my parents many years ago. He is a non-believer but said that he will always remember my mom because she offered him lunch from time to time when he was younger. He said he will never forget her kindness and to repay her, he hosted our group of about 15 women that afternoon. He arranged a covered tent with table and chairs and served a huge lunch. I planned a bible quiz on the book of Ruth and offered prizes. We sang songs and prayed. It gave these busy mostly working moms a chance to reconnect with God and build relationships with each other.

For the third project, I reached out to a family friend who happens to be a young pastor. He lives in another city with his family. From his house, we traveled about 600 km to a small village. There was poor school there run by a Christian teacher with about 17 underprivileged children. We consulted with him before going and asked what the greatest need was. He told us that these kids needed the basics, so we brought them hygiene products such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, and towels. We also gave each family rice, oil, dhal, sugar, and wheat flour. It won’t feed them forever, but it will help them for many days. They were told that everyone at OSLC loves them.

For my final project, I returned to my hometown the week before Easter and with the help of my sister and the first Pastor, we found a very interesting story. There was a Christian man who donated half of his house so that a small group of people could come together each Sunday to have a Lutheran church service. We decided to go there on Easter Sunday. The place had only one table at the front and a cross. There were 25 women, 3 men, and 1 Bible. For this church, on Easter Sunday, on behalf of OSLC, we donated 10 Bibles and 10 hymnals! Then after church, I provided lunch for the entire congregation. Of course, their need is still great. But they will forever be grateful for this gift.