Today marks week 1 of being in India! 


We are currently partnering with the ministry: Indian Christian Missions, at Sarah's Covenant Home – a home for beautiful children who have been discarded and are often seen as curses to their families. People in India look down upon children with disabilities and do not want any association with them. At SCH the children's care takers are widows, another group of people who are looked down upon in society and have very limited employment opportunities. 
 
We will also be in Calcatta from July 11- 27 partnering with Asha Missions and working with a family home for orphans in Calcatta, nearby village people, and leper colonies. 
 
After arriving here in Ongole we headed to the children's home for introductions. Erin, a full time missionary and mother to these children told us story after story of changed lives and little miracles – testaments of love. 
 
The kingdom of God is here
 
Redemption lives A young girl spent the first years of her life neglected and beaten. Upon arriving to SCH, the only interaction she knew was to beat others – this is all she had received. She wouldn't let anyone touch her without them getting an aggressive punch. Erin, Sarah and the others at SCH hugged her and loved her the best they could despite her violent outbursts. Today she gladly gives and receives hugs and kisses – yup I even got a few today! 
 
The dead are raised
As Erin was introducing her "children" to us, her words hit me hard and brought up tears: " we loved her back to life". She was telling a story of a girl who arrived to the home lifeless, mostly unresponsive and immobile. They've adorned her with love and adoration, and treated her as an honoured daughter. She now walks around, smiles, laughs, plays, and generously gives affection. 
 
The blind see
Today I was taking some of the children on a walk in a stroller. Joshua was in the stroller, and a beautiful blind girl was walking alongside me, helping me push the stroller. Eventually she got in the stroller herself and snuggled up to her friend, who is less physically able. She put her arm around his neck and cushioned his head from the bumps that jolt him as we walk along the rough rocky road. She let me know when he needed to be repositioned in the stroller, it's like she allowed herself to feel his slightest discomfort. 
 
Although she can't see the creases in the palm of my hand she holds, or the treads in the walls she palpates as she finds her way around, she can't see the clothes she chooses for her friends who need help dressing, she can't see vibrant colours or fading sunsets. But if she sees the boy next to her needs to be protected from the bumps in the road, if she sees the little one who needs an arm around his shoulder… she sees more acutely than my 20/20 vision. I wonder how she sees God, I wonder if she sees his heart in a way I don't. 
 
Allow me to apply the account in Luke to these little ones here at SCH… 
In Luke 10: 21, after sending out his disciples, Jesus full of joy through the Holy Spirit said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children…23: Blessed are the eyes that see what you see…many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it… 
I just wonder if even though we may not be able to see it, the Father has revealed such special things to these little ones, I just have a hunch that these little ones have been given insight that I don't grasp and these pure hearts may be seeing God in a simple, clear way. 
I wonder how beautiful their hearts are… their bones may be weak, their co-ordination lacking, mobility limited, some of their faces may look different, yet they are made in God's image and their souls and hearts may be rich and pure. 
 
 
I invite you to join me over these next two months in prayer and support. Also, please consider giving to my financial needs. 
 The cost is $1,400. 
 Give freely. 
Thanks for being a piece of the grand puzzle. 
 
You may give online  
Or to receive a Canadian tax receipt, give to 
Arbutus Christian Fellowship Church and note "Carin Cownden, Adventures in Missions" Church mailing address: St. Alban's Church Building 1468 Ryan Street 
Victoria, BC V8R 2X1 
 
Please contact me for more information: carin.cownden@gmail.com 
 
 
May Peace and Grace accompany all of you!