11. India: Tsunami Project Update

By Jones Israel

“The staff team faces many challenges, but sees encouraging evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in children’s lives”

In 2005 four Tsunami project centres were created – two for boys and two for girls. The students were carefully selected using criteria including: no orphans; family lost all property; Grades 6-8 already attending SU school meetings; and parental approval of regular house visits by SU staff. Initially 90 children came to the centre daily after school for refreshments, Scripture study and tuition.

Three years later we have seventy children, fifty of them teenagers. This has caused some issues, for example boy/girl friends and an incident of bullying. We began open talks on sex issues for boys and girls. Sex education was an eye opener to many children and has helped them handle their emotions. Girls reaching puberty are given extra personal care and we held a celebration function for three girls whose families could not afford to do this.

The children are treated as our own children, and we meet their physical and emotional needs. We aim to help them achieve their maximum educational and vocational level.

The staff team faces many challenges, but sees encouraging evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in children’s lives. Examples of these are: 10 who regularly attend church; 20 who read their Bibles daily; 10 who run weekly Bible classes for 100 children; children who pray for adults and see miracles.

Another specific example is Amala. The change in her was very obvious to her friends and family, but she longed for her family to follow Jesus. Through the healing of her sister, Amala’s mother and sister came to know Christ, were baptised and now regularly attend church.

Please pray: for the children to stay firm in their commitments; for wisdom for the staff; and for parents to support their children’s education.