Gannavaram is a town outside Vijayawada by some few kilometres. We began a conference there today for 50 or so men. The pastor is Kiran Sidney Kumar, and like Pastor Albert, is something of a father figure to many of the younger men in his area. We both preached twice, with my sessions from 1st Timothy seeming to make a particular impact. Reminding men of the solemnity of our task has been a privilege that has imprinted much on both preacher and hearers, I think. We had an extended and helpful discussion on the pastor's relationship to his wife and children - seemed to be a real value to the men and also to those wives that were present. The prevailing cultural view of wife as almost a slave is hard to shake. Many of these men minister in situations where Hindu wives very literally bow down in worship at the foot of their husband's bed. They still have some of that mentality, with wives who drudge for them and then are blamed if something is amiss - particularly with the children. They are battling their culture!
One of the men struck me particularly - the Pastor of Calvary Prayer Hall, in Kesarapali in Krishna District. His name is Israel. He is an educated Independent Baptist who seems strategic.
In the afternoon and early evening we visited Prem and Beulah in the Leoni Wendel Project, where he, his brother and father serve in administering two Orphanages catering for 160 children. They care for them right to the age of 16, and if possible, beyond that. For those with academic ability, they will fund them through A level equivalent studies and also university. The less able are trained in a skill such as mechanics, carpentry, etc., and then they sponsor them in business for the first two years premises rental, and introduce them to a network of contacts. They also are bought relevant tools as a love gift.
The girls are cared for until marriages to good men are found, but they are also educated in the same way as the boys. I could have taken every one of them home with me. They are well cared for and evidently happy with 8 staff employed to care for and teach them. The compound is in excellent condition - a stark difference to the surrounding situation. This is a good work.
The only downer was that the family who administrate the work live at a ridiculously wealthy level. Prem and Beulah are lovely, but their home is as luxurious as the poverty around is desolate - perhaps criticism would be inappropriate, but it seemed wrong somehow.
No evening meeting tonight - relaxation and phoning Julie from a roadside ISD point instead. Soo good to speak with her! Spent some helpful time in study and in prayer as well - I miss the Lord's people back home...
Posted by pencils at January 21, 2004 02:16 PM | TrackBack