Sex Workers of Kalighat

Children are sold into the global sex trade every year. Often they are kidnapped or orphaned, and sometimes they are sold by their own families.  There are other circumstances as well that will bring a woman into the sex trade in India.

I met an older woman who was from Bangladesh who was in the sex trade to pay off a debt of her son-in-law.  We asked her to attend our bible study and she was very adamant about not coming.  Not because she didn't want to be with us women but because she was Muslim.  Her muslim belief, as I understand it was that if she took any kind of a detour from her sex work that she wouldn't be successful in earning the money to pay off the debt. She would then be locked into remaining to be a sex worker and wouldn't be able to return to her daughter.  As she was sharing her life's reality with us, her eyes were fearful that she would lose focus, she was nervous.  

My heart was so sad for her.  My heart is so sad for all of the women and children who are bound to this life by lies.  My friend here is the common place in Kalighat, she is only one of many many women I met while in Kolkata this journey.

A year ago I attended this bible study and there were only 3 women there.  You can see we can no longer call this a Women's bible study, there is one man who comes to hear the Word preached.  Hallelujah!

The woman on the right with her hands folded was at the bible study last year!  She has been hearing the Word of God shared and the love of Jesus on a weekly basis.

The young woman in the middle with the red and white check scarf was rejoicing that she is pregnant.  She is not a sex worker but one of the poor who live in the district.  She and her husband wanted a child.  Pray that they will be able to move out of the district so their children will not have to be exposed to the lifestyle there.

Rejoice with me that because of your prayers and support we are reaching women, children and at least one man in this district for Christ!  Hallelujah!

For His Glory

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Puja and Mumpy

     The village is 2 stops away when you are taking the train.  I can't remember the name of the village  but what I do remember are these two precious little girls, Puja and Mumpy.  It is in this village of refugee's that Smriti has a weekly Sunday School for the children who live here.

    Their mother is a refugee from Bangladesh.  A sex worker in the day time in the city, looking and waiting for the next looker to service to earn a small wage to buy food and pay rent.  Puja 8 yrs., and Mumpy 6 yrs., has never attended school, so they do not know how to read or count or their ABC's. Their mother more than likely never attended school either so she doesn't know the importance of having an education to allow her to escape the pit of having to work the trade in the red light district. 

    My good friend and mentor Lois has for many years made these precious little dolls to give to children who are the poorest of the poor.  My friend Lois, prays over each and every doll, that the Lord will bless this child for eternity purposes.  Puja and Mumpy both treasured their gift when it was given, their smiles were priceless!  I walked into their home, a room with nothing in it but a bowl of food that the cat was eating that had been left on the floor for them to eat while their mother was working.

The landlord of the room begged us to take the children, the neighbors begged us to take the girls, no one wanted the girls to stay and have to be looked after.  They are not bad girls who get into trouble, they just need looking after and fed. No family there has enough for their own children.

  My heart was so saddened by this situation.  Their precious pure ears heard these words of rejection spoken in their presence. Their ears and hearts were subject to hearing that their mother doesn't want them and neither do those around them.  The girls just hung their heads in shame and loneliness. 

  But those little dolls that they are holding... you see them?  These little dolls were prayed over to a Great and Awesome God to bless those that would receive them!  Because of people who support me and Children's Relief International, these two precious children of God will be going to boarding school.  There they will learn their numbers and ABC's, and all of the things they are dreaming of plus they will know it was Jesus, and the prayers of my friend and other's like you that their lives will be forever changed.

  When God sent me to India the call seemed so overwhelming to me because of the darkness of the sex trade.  My mission was to come and minister for the sake of "even just for one."  But our God is so good and so big, He blessed me with two today, Puja and Mumby.  My life will be forever changed because of these two little one's.

    The village life is really where my heart is.  I love the children of the villages, they are so innocent and sweet.  Always full of smiles and shy at the same time.  My playful spirit draws them in with games of our eyes and smiles.  I love my work.  Thank you for being part of it and going with me into these dark remote places for Jesus.

For His Glory,
Kathy

Whatcha doin?

  Ever wonder what us missionaries do while we are gone?  I have to admit I never share enough of the really great success' of our being overseas and the difference that it makes in the lives of those God puts before us.

  Remember Ercilio?  Young guy, typical Mozambican boy.  Well 7 years later he is this great guy and a huge heart for the young men and women in Mozambique.  Val and I have spent endless hours talking, mentoring and encouraging this guy to be all that God has for him.  Please don't think I am trying to take any credit, cause I know better... it's not us and it's all God.

  Ercilio's heart to give hope, lead and encourage other young guys through his Sparks Handball ministry, is on an endless journey of success and God being glorified.  And, young men coming to know Christ and follow HIM!  In the last year Ercilio has become a National Leader with Children's Relief International, sponsored by Americans like you and me to go forth into the world proclaiming the gospel.

  He now, 7 years later is ministering to over 50 kids.... boys and girls.  He has started a mentoring program, helping guys and girls go to school, college and a Tech School close to Dondo.  He shared with me the other day, "Big Mamma, can you believe it?  We have 5 guys going to college and 7 going to Tech School!  This is a blessing!  Thank you for helping us get started."  Words like this..... oh they are music to my ears.

  Each and every one of you who reads this, prays for us and sends your financial support, just know You, WE... are making a difference... even just for one...... but so many more when that ONE is shared!

Obedience,
Big Mamma

English Revised Version And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. This picture was taken in 2010 of the team Ercilio started. Since that time his ministry has grown to over 50 young adults, men and women. These kids hearing the gospel preached, bible studies taught and the spirit of fighting and winning as a warrior for the King! If God is for us.... who can be against us!

Even Just For One....

  One can never get too comfortable with anything because we all know that just about that time God will lead us in another direction and it will be for His glory.  I love this work with Children's Relief International and the adventure that is constantly involved with working with God's poorest of the poor.

  This past couple of years I have been dealing with some health issues with malaria and fatigue.  This condition has slowed me down a lot and I have seen more doctors and nurses, taken more vitamins, had shots and tried different medications than at another other time in my life.  My Dad tells me, "it's because I have reached the golden age of 60."  For whatever reason, and God only knows, I have had to make some adjustments to the what, where and when for my work in the next year.  In addition to my own health, my parents are on the finishing end as well and they will need more of a closer look from me for a bit of time.

  With all of this going on, my prayer and focus is to work stateside and raise funds for a project in Kolkata India called Mudpath's.  Many of you already know this information and I wanted to clarify to all that all the funds I raise this year I will be sending to India to help with the Mudpath's children and women.

  I have walked the streets of Kolkata, shared a meal with our Indian partners and God has encouraged my heart that this is the direction that I will take to help meet their financial needs for this next year.

  The words that keep coming to my mind is, "Even Just For One."  When I looked at the scope of my new direction, the lost and hopeless of a nation that worships idols, more idols and anything that they can call an idol, the darkness is overwhelming.  My heart was so sickened by the lack of the light of Christ.  I came home just licking my own wounds trying to figure out how I could manage in this environment.

  As God would have it.  After I was able to take my eyes off of myself, direct them to the Lord and ask for His help with this burden, I began to look at the possibilities of helping the children and women in the Mudpath's project to see the hope of Christ.  To know that "He will never leave you nor forsake you.  To not fear."  It IS His hope that we can all give to each other when the circumstances seem dark and dense. My prayer, my desire, my hope is that Even Just For One, I will raise money to share the gospel, to educate and provide a safe environment for this people group.   Even Just For One, and God knows who those One's are.  It is for the Only One that I will go and make disciples, teaching them about the Christ who came to offer salvation.  Even Just For One.... 

  Thank you to all who have supported me personally in the past and in the future.  I know I have people who pray for me daily and somedays more than just once.  I have to share with you, that without your prayers, my work, my health and all of the other things would not be possible.  God is at work my friends.  He is changing the broken hearts of His created children.

  Obedience,

Singing "Ive got the Joy Joy Joy Joy, down in my heart!"  This is in the home of one of the women who leads bible study in the red light district.  What you see here is the width of the apartment, the bed, the parents sleep on top and the 4 children sleep on the bottom.  The wife who now has accepted Christ, used to service men in this apartment.  Praise the Lord for his hand of grace and mercy!

These are some children from our pre-school program.  My goal is to raise enough money to feed these kids 5 days a week.  Currently we can only feed them 3 days.  They are ages 3-5 years, they are learning their ABC's and simple math and of course about Jesus!

This is a portion of the crowd who came to a Saturday Sports program that is held once a month in the slums of Kolkata.  It is here that they all hear about Jesus and then the fun begins with races, games and other fun activities that otherwise would not take place.  I love it when the mother's come too, they too get to hear the Word spoken.  Isaiah 55:11-12  It is the same with my word, I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  You will love in joy and peace.  The mountians will burst into song and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
I absolutely love this!!!  We will sing, worship and Praise His Holy name!

  Kathy

Waves of Grace are enough

Cipriano 06/24/1982-06/11/2012

"This is a first generation of Christians here at this church so we had to ask the entire family immediately after the death if they wanted to follow the culture traditions or our Christian beliefs"  Pastor Jeronimo

  Val and I had no idea that last Sunday would be the last time that we would set eyes on our dear friend Cipriano.  Cipriano was a leader at our church.  He was a trusted man with 5 children and a wife that he cared for.  He was going to school at night after he finished his security job in Dondo and then would travel to his home in Centro Emissor, 4klm north by bike.

   Monday was the last anyone would see his smile and know his gentleness as Cipriano was killed on his way home from school around 9pm.  A car passing by hit him on his bike and threw him.  We are told he was killed instantly.  This was the journey of the next 3 days of walking with our church in the grief of losing this great man who fought the good fight of running the race.

  Cipriano's death has been hard for me these last few days.  He was one of my first friends at our little stone and mud church in the bush.  His love for God and his family and church family was obvious in his actions.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and had any encounters with him.

  Part of the tradition of death here is for all to spend time with the family in their home.  To sit with the one's who are grieving, pray and sing songs of worship until the funeral.  Usually this is the next day but because Cipriano was killed, there had to be an investigation and that slowed the process to an extra day.

  As we walked towards Cipriano's home on Tuesday for the visitation of the family our pace slowed down.  We had picked up Pastor Zito and I sensed that he was preparing for what we would encounter.  He had spent the night before with the family after the tragic accident so he already had seen the faces of his family.  Today would be the encounter with the entire family, village friends and church.

  When Val and I entered the area of the house, Luisa, (women's leader of our church) entered the doorway and began to cry in a loud voice, "Cipriano is gone sisters, Cipriano is gone!"  The wail of grief permeated the premises.  His wife jump up and was screaming, "My Cipriano is gone, my Cipriano is gone, he's gone already!"  As I held her in my arms we both sobbed uncontrollably.  I felt her grief come upon my own body.  I pray that it was taking some of her sorrow away from her.  Luisa laid her back down on the floor and covered her body in the grieving cloth.

  With Cipriano's wife lay their son, a daughter (two older children) and Cipriano's mother. (children under the age of 12 are not allowed to participate in funerals because of the possibility of experiencing  shock) The grieving tradition is to cover your body so other's can not see you crying.  Friends come and sit close and comfort the family while other's sing.  The room was full, it was dark, the floor covered with women and outside women preparing food, gathering water for the day for cooking and cleaning.  Death is a community event and everyone takes the time to be part in some way.

  I remember one of the songs we sang was in the tribal language Senna.  The words are, "Lord we love Your Wisdom." Give us Your wisdom Lord.  God is the only one who can comfort.  Waves of grief and crying would come and then God's mercy of grace would wave through and then there would be calm.  As a friend, I want to help.  I don't' know what that is.  I don't believe Cipriano's wife knows what that is.  I don't know how she will survive these first few days, weeks, months without the warmth and love of her husband and friend, her protector and provider here on earth.  What I do know is that because Cipriano led his family well, he led them to Christ and they will one day get up and joy will come back into their faces because of Christ.

  Pray with me for this family.  Theresa and their 5 children.  Pray for comfort, peace, that their faith will be increased to lean on our Great Father and they will see the hand of God provide for them.

  Another great soldier in the presence of the Holy One.

Obedience,
Big Mamma

Family Day 2012

There are many traditions that I love about being here in Mozambique and one of the best is the period of time when the Men have their week and special Sunday of recognition, the Women have their's, the Families have their's and the Children's week and Sunday recognition is coming up starting Monday.  Next week will be pointed towards celebrating children in the family.  Many families will serve the children's favorite food, buy a small gift or do a small task for the child to show them honor.

Today at the church in Dondo we are celebrating couples and their families.  It is so sweet to listen to the couples recite a few words of commitment before the family of God.  Every year there seems to be one or two more couples joining in on the tradition.  It is a good one, a time to reflect on the importance of husbands loving their wives and the wives respecting their husbands.

The church was full of people, packed actually, overflowing outside the doors and off of the veranda's.  There is always food share on this day as well to celebrate.  I can tell that the small piece of cake handed out first, was the only thing that many families had to eat this day and maybe yesterday too.  Not everyone has the money, (.72 cents) to buy lunch, many will leave hungry because they had no ticket.  Many will leave wishing their spouse was around to rededicate vows, many will leave hoping that one day their spouse will attend this important event in the life of the Dondo Baptist Church.

Today isn't like any other day here.  This Sunday we focused on what God has called the marriage to be.  One man and one woman, under the commitment  and headship of obedience to each other and God.  I trust God was glorified in the house today.

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Husbands and their wives came forward to show honor and respect to each other and renew their vows.
You can see John and Cindy Pieper on the right up front.

The church is blessing the the couples and their marriage.
And then the kiss!  This brings a lot of hoops and hollering! Even though the
 culture is very sexual, they are modest in their public display of affection.

Sparks handball Team presented a song and it was goooood!
I have had the privilege of watching many of these guys grow
into the godly men that they are today.

The dishes will soon be filled with the holiday special..... Spaghetti.
It smelled really good as I went back to hug the girls behind the scenes to
make sure everyone was fed.  Life is hard here but, oh so good!

Obedience,

Big Mamma

The Untouchables of the Deep Forrest

  There has been a lot of media in the last year about water wells and their importance of bringing clean water into villages in 3rd world countries.  What Children's Relief International is doing is bringing water wells to villages and areas where the people of the Untouchables of the Deep Forest can not drink from the water wells of another caste.  This brings a question to the people's minds.  "Who would give the untouchables clean water to drink?  They are not worthy of clean water, they certainly can not drink from our wells."  But God........ I love that phrase......  But God!  It is our God who has led us to minister to the hearts of the followers of Christ in the Deep Forest.  The numbers are small, but they are growing.

Anath and his brother Pastor Isaiah
The "G" Brother's

  Pastor Isaiah is the son of a well known pastor in the Rajamundry area giving him credibility with other's in the area.  But Pastor Isaiah has also earned his own recognition with the government by receiving an honorable award for service to the community.  Pastor Isaiah has a vision to have 100 church plants in the deep forest and to evangelize many to come to know Christ.  I wish you could know him.  His gentle smile and warm heart that just exueds the love of Jesus.  That presence of Jesus in him just draws you towards him and what he has to say.

Worship Leader/Pastor of a small church in the Deep Forrest
Ministering to the poorest of the poor in India
the Untouchables.

  One of the most vivid stories that Pastor Isaiah shared with us was about a family that worshipped a tree.  One day Pastor Isaiah and his brother Ananth came across a family sitting around a tree worshipping the tree and the brother's asked, "What are you doing?"  The father of the family responded by saying that the tree had provided everything for them.  The tree had given them shade from the sun, fruit for their hunger and branches for burning to prepare their meals, that birds would rest in the branches and they could capture the birds for meals, it provided wood to make their home and the list went on.  Well, as time would tell the story, the tree died and no longer provided all of the things that they had become so dependant upon.  The brother's were passing by one day and saw that their tree had been destroyed and sat to talk with them offering a god that would provide for their every need and they came to know Christ through the witness of the brother's.  The tree family had seen their work in the village and saw that the God that they served was a good and loving god and they wanted to know more about that God.

Another Pastor with an amazing testimony

  One more of the many stories that Pastor and his brother shared with us is about a witch doctor of one of the 12 villages where they have a church plant.  As I understand and remember the story, there is a woman who at one time was a witch doctor and she would mock the christians as they would go to church.  One day she got sick and she called upon all of her gods to heal her and she was getting more sick and near death and the christians from the near by church came to her to help her.  The witchdoctor told the christians that all of the gods she worshipped chose not to heal her and she asked if their god would.  They took her to the church and there she gave her life to Christ and you already know the rest of the story.  She accepted Christ!  And........ she was healed!  Testimonies like this bring other people from the deep forest into the kingdom.  In a land where there is an idol to worship for everything.  A country where the people serve other gods, the work of man's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear or eat or smell.  When distress came upon her, the witchdoctor ran to the Lord your God and heard the call of His voice.  For the Lord our God is a compassionate God; He will not fail, nor destroy, nor forget the covenant with our fathers which He swore to them.  God is working everywhere in the world.  He is everywhere!  And He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  What an amazing God we serve.  I love being His kid and servant.

The goal is to support more pastors of the Untouchables in the Deep Forrest of India.
Pray about how God can use you in His work!

There are more pictures available on my FB page.