The India tourist industry calls it "God's Own Country." The tea estates in the mountains of South India have winding lanes and picture-book towns. Sprawling tea plantations on gentle hills are often shrouded in mist and moistened with dew. Wildlife areas shelter elephants, grizzled giant squirrels, woodpigeons, gaurs (water buffalo), sambar (deer), Nilgiri Thar (mountain goats) and the Neelakurinji (a shrub that flowers only every twelve years). An ancient road once transported sandalwood and spices. Megaliths go back 3,000 years.
Most residents of these mountains are employed in the tea industry. Sadly, children are often used in the tea gardens as bonded labor, essentially a modern form of slavery. A few months ago, Serve India Ministries set up a Stepping Stone Center, designed to help children stay in school and out of forced labor arrangements. In addition to addressing this vital need, the Center does evangelism: the Gospel is taught to the children and, through them, to their parents.
A local group vigorously opposed the Stepping Stone program because of the Gospel. They even tried to stop the children who wanted to come. But the pastor in charge of the Center prayed for those in the opposition group. The children who were allowed to participate in the ministry of the Center soon were performing better at school and even showed improvements in character. The opposition noticed these good things; their resistance slackened and finally ceased. Those who had opposed the ministry of the Center are now enthusiastic supporters. The parents of the children are also very happy and regularly express their gratitude.
Would you like to help us bring God to "God's Own Country?" The cost is $3 per month per child. We group the children in sets of seven so they can be supported for $21 per month. A whole Stepping Stone of 50 children can be sponsored for $150 per month. Please contact us if you'd like to partner with us, bringing India to Jesus, one child at a time.
Sponsor a Stepping Stone Child
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