India 6-10-06

This morning we were met by Pastor Vincent Samuel, the founder of Calvary Christian Community Church. He showed us the biggest slum in Asia, where he has some great projects going. His theory about evangelism is the same as mine- it's all about loving people until they see the reality of the life that we lead matches what Jesus taught.

Pastor Vincent rents out a block of homes in the slum. The homes were built by the government and started out "nice." Each one is one room about 6m x 3m with a section divided off for a kitchen area. Two houses share one outside toilet/ bathroom (which is not a room with a bath, but a room with a tap and a bucket).

As in many disadvantaged areas, crime and drugs are rampant.

The church has started some classes in sewing and computer skills in which local youth get taught skills which lead to real paying jobs. The alternatives are labouring and cleaning houses which pay about 500 rupees per month (that's less than $20 a month). With these courses which bring government accreditation people can get jobs which will lift them out of poverty.

Another project there is a child care centre in which children are cared for in another of the houses, As the parents have to travel a long way for work and come home late at night, children can be left to fend for themselves and roam the streets, often unfed. The church feeds them lunch each day and gives them a basic preschool education.

This afternoon we are shopping at the Spencer Mall which is a big mall. Tonight Priya will feed us Indian food for dinner.

Must go now as it's my turn to plug into the internet.

Blessings

Keith