Visiting the Children
We started this morning off with a wonderful breakfast from the Manna Ministries Staff. Everyone woke up refreshed and excited for the day ahead of us!
We visited the Manna Ministries campus in Kismathpur. The 15 acre campus hosts a children’s home with 388 children, a church that has a capacity of 5,000 members, a trade school, bible college, the primary school for the children and the future location of the widow’s home. We arrived just as the children were being dismissed from their classes. Perfect timing. As we got out of the van the children ran to greet us with smiles on their faces that were literally ear to ear. We spent time playing games with them and just enjoying their smiles and laughter. It truly put everything into perspective. These children hardly have anything, yet they have unspeakable joy!
Bishop Ernest told us a little about the orphan care center within the children’s home. This center started because they had found several abandoned baby girls. Could you imagine walking down the street and hearing the cry of a young infant only to find they are in a trash can?
What would you do?
Manna Ministries doesn’t have a choice. Every child left abandoned is brought into the children’s home regardless. It doesn’t matter if there is room for the child; it doesn’t matter if there is a sponsor for the child; all that matters is there is a life that needs to be saved.
We continued our visit in Kismathpur with a tour of the rest of the campus. We saw the trade school and bible college where the children who have finished high school can attend and graduate with a degree in whatever field they choose. Bishop Ernest told us that over 12,000 children have come through the Manna Ministries
Children’s Program over the past years. Incredible to think that 12,000 orphans and destitute children’s lives have been radically changed! It makes sense because every time we meet a pastor in India and hear his story, we learn that he was an orphan and gave his life to Christ in the children’s home. It is the strategy of the Lord. “Take care of the fatherless…” They are the ones who will rise up to disciple the harvest of souls in India!
Before leaving the campus Dr. Pete was able to bless EVERY child with a piece of candy. For something that seemed so small to us; it was so big to them. These orphans and destitute children are truly grateful for every gift they receive.
We finished the evening with another time of prayer and worship. We are so thankful that God brought together a team that understands the importance and impact of prayer. Prayer is the most vital way that all of you can join us and be a part of the work God has called us to do. Pray for the people of Suryapet; that their hearts would be prepared and they would receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!
