ANDREW SITS FOR ENTRANCE EXAMS

SO sorry it has been a long time between posts. Thanks to the generosity of friends, Andrew was able to complete his plus two (12th grade) studies and is now taking his entrance exams for medical college. Provision is still an issue, but we are trusting God for His will in this matter. His mother is with him. Upon completion of the entrance exams, they will go to Assam to visit family. Prabha recently suffered the loss of her brother to cancer, and was unable to go at that time. 
Recently, Andrew was baptized in to the family of God, and into His church. He accepted Christ at the age of 13. 

Christy attends a Bible Club on Saturday at Aunty's home where Marley lives. Marley stays with us when Aunty travels and can't take him.

The little boys like to visit Aunty's home to watch TV, play with her toys, and play with Marley.

Prayer Request for Andrew

Our son Andrew has been attending boarding school in my husband's home state of Tamil Nadu. It is very far from here. He is in his plus 2 year, or twelfth grade. It is a very important year for him. Due to our financial difficulties, we were unable to pay the fees owed the school of Rs. 30000 ($650) for last year, and Rs.65000 (1, 407) for this year. The school put him out despite my husband's begging for more time. Another boy was also sent out so together they traveled to Bangalore to his granny's home. We did not have any contact for six days! You can imagine how frantic I was! Finally, on the 6th of Sept. I was able to reach his friend in Bangalore, who assured me Andrew was safe. They are waiting for train tickets. He can return if the bill is paid. It will be most difficult for him to attend a school here as the curriculum is not the same. Please pray with us for a solution to this problem. Please pray for Andrew's safety.

Happy Birthday Prabha!!

  

Today is Prabha's birthday so Marley and I (Aunty LS) went to Grace Home to wish Prabha a happy birthday. Marley even helped her open her gifts!

 This muffin tin is for keeping Marley while I was in the U.S.

I also brought under garments for all the children, a gift from my mom and some friends in my church. Thank you Mom and friends! Christy came home to be with her mom for her birthday.
Two new girls have moved to the home since last I visited. I have added their photos to OUR KIDS.Be sure and have a look. Aunty LS.

Prayer Request

We are having some major financial needs and we ask for your prayers to help us meet the deadlines imposed upon us. We also ask you to pray about a possible shift to another property. The monthly rent will actually be Rs 1000 less a month (Rs 15,000) than our current rent, but the property needs a lot of work. The best part is that we would no longer be in two buildings as we are now. And, the children would have a place to play. With our younger children, the neighbors are starting to complain. We cannot relocate until we settle our current debt. Our landlord has been so understanding and patient (until now). There are some draw-backs to the other property - there are water shortages in the winter, and it's quite cold.  And, it's near the chief minister's home. We have faith that God is in control, and has just the right solution for us in His perfect timing. In addition to the rent, we still have school tuitions to pay. Please pray that the right course will be made clear to us. Pray that we will be good stewards of what God has provided and will provide. 
Most of the kids are on a summer break this week. Christy is coming home from boarding school on Wednesday for ten days. Our newest helpers, Rachel and Sunil, have returned to Amritzar to introduce their daughter to her grandparents, aunts and uncles. Purnima, another helper, had to return to Assam, as her father went home to be with the Lord. He has been bedridden for the past six weeks. We rejoice that he is without pain, and in the arms of his Lord and Savior. Jerry is coming to help us prepare lunches in the mornings, praise the Lord. 
We covet your prayers for our current financial situation.

New Helpers from God

Praise the Lord for sending this young couple to help us. Sunil has already completed eighteen months of Bible College, and is working on his studies while serving with us. He is also visiting homes and sharing the gospel in the evenings. His lovely wife is Rachel. They are helping us feed the children each day. They are such an answer to prayer.  They have a three month-old daughter named Noble. What a blessing this new couple have been to Grace Home! Please pray for this young couple and their ministry at Grace Home.

 Sunil and Rachel

 Baby Noble

 Rachel and Noble

Along with this good news, we received some bad news yesterday. Purnima, who has been helping for a very long time, got word that her father has passed away. We are now trying to get her train tickets to get her back to Assam. Please pray for Purnima and her family.

Older Kids Get Discipleship Training

 Each week, Aunty is training the older children in basic discipleship. They are learning the Seven Commands of Jesus. Each command has a story to learn, and a hand signal to help them remember. She taught them the sword method for Bible study. The children imagine a sword. The tip of the sword points up and reminds them of the question to ask, "What does this passage teach us about God?" The bottom of the sword's handle reminds them to ask the question, "What does this passage teach us about man?" The sword has two edges. One edge reminds us to ask, "Is there a command to obey or an example to follow?" The other edge reminds them to ask, " is there a sin to avoid?" They are learning that they can study any Bible passage in this way. The first command is to repent and believe. They learned the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.

The children sing songs, review the previous lesson, learn and new lesson, and practice.

The second command of Jesus is to be baptized. They learned the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian from Acts 8:26-39. Pearly and Evangeline act out the story.

Sarah is the Ethiopian. Evangeline, as Phillip, climbs up into the chariot and shares the gospel with the Ethiopian.

The Ethiopian asks Phillip to baptize him.

Rani plays the angel as Sarah plays Phillip.

Evangeline retells the story to the group.

Recently, Christy came home for the weekend. The first place she wanted to go was to see Marley! He gave her a wet greeting!

Christy is so happy when she gets to see Marley.

Visitors to Grace Home

We've had several blessings from God recently. One friend blesses us each month in memory of her deceased husband. Today, in honor of his birthday, she provided special meals and treats for the children. Another neighbor, a friend of Aunty LS, brought us much needed rice and sugar. She is also gifting the children with fruit each week. Normally, we are unable to provide fruit for the children. We are so thankful to God for this provision. 
Aunty LS brought some American friends to Grace Home recently. They brought fruit and a lot of affection for the kids.

 Deborah is helping the kids with their homework. Aunty Carolyn looks on.

 Aunty Jo takes a tour of the hostel.

 Satiya leaves his study time to play with Autumn.

 Autum played with the kids, and led them in Nepali songs, which they loved. Thank you, sister.

 Autumn plays with Karishma.

 All the children wanted their turn for hugs and being being picked up. Diviya gets her turn.

 Satiya wanted to be picked up by Aunty Jo.

 Diviya gets some hugs from Aunty Carolyn.

 Aunty Carolyn gets some exercise lifting the kids. Karishma wanted many turns!

 Aunty LS took photos for us.

The bog boys ran ahead to tidy their room before Autumn and the ladies came to see it!
If you are in Himachal Pradesh, please come by and visit us!