David Abbott

Dear Friends

Norway and The Faroe Islands certainly continued in what God is doing but also went from glory to glory. It started with a bang, at a Church Conference, with children and youth who are hungry, open and love to be in meetings. They were just there to meet with God!!!

There were two age groups, in the children’s first invitation ministry time every one of the boys responded and the next most boys and some girls. With the youth I found myself straying far from my notes into what seemed to be prophetic so in the break I went to my room and sought God. He confirmed what I had thought and also that He wanted to continue, so I could only go and be obedient. The next meeting was the one where all the boys responded and afterwards Andres the middle of three siblings, whose parents are going through divorce (one reason is the abuse the boys get from their father) He asked me if he could also be in the next youth meeting. I was happy but not sure he would be able to handle it, the way God was moving. Not only did he handle it but it was clear God put the desire in his heart, because the message was speaking specifically speak to him. He came for prayer with the youth where the invitation was for those who knew clearly God had spoken something specific to them. God gave me a word for him about a strong call on his life that He was going to confirm again in other ways because he had always as far back as he could remember felt God had something special for him. He and his Mother who was sitting at the back in tears, confirmed this was so. His mother was thrilled how God had done this special thing to encourage him at such a difficult time.

The youth were just gathering in the room for their final meeting when word came that one of the boys had, had an accident. A doctor from the church examined it and suspected a broken toe. Instantly the room emptied and looking out of the window we saw this cloud of youth burst out of the door, gather around the car the boy was in and prayed. Ten minutes later they were back in the room sitting attentively waiting to start. The hospital confirmed that there was nothing wrong. We believe he did have a broken toe and God healed it as the youth prayed. The boy is from a non Christian home but said later that he desperately wants to go back next year.

On the car ferry on our journey from the conference, we went to the cafeteria for coffee and my friend was gone ages but I could see he was the only one there. The lady on duty was from a church on the mainland. Ten minutes later she came over to us; she had rung her husband and arranged for a gathering in her home for the children from their church later in the trip. That meeting was definitely a God thing and a double blessing for her. There were six children of varying ages there, two were her sons. Over the years I have spoken in many little house meetings like this in Norway and this one has to be one of the best. I had two sessions their parents were amazed at how quiet and still they sat paying full attention. One father cheerfully said they don’t do that for us. The second session four out of the six responded for prayer for assurance of salvation their hands going up instantly to have a new awareness of Jesus at work. God gave me words for the oldest two. The lady who arranged it was so excited, two who responded were her sons and one who got a word was her eldest. After the meeting the youngest son (eight years old) said “that was great mum”. Then got his blackboard and chalks and was drawing my stick men and giving a little message. His mother said that board had been in the basement for years and never touched.

In 2012 on the Island of Halsnoey we had a one off meeting, only a small number attended most from one family because grandma rounded up her grandchildren, hurray for grandmothers. One of hers Marcus, God gave me a word for. I kept it until the end, meantime saw a boy who intently listened to every word and responded for prayer. Afterwards his Mother asked why her son was the only one who had a word which I could only answer, God only gave me that one. She went on to say he didn’t want to go to the meeting, so she said he should because God might just have something special to say to him!!!! His grandmother recently told my friend that, that word so impacted Marcus’ life that he has never looked back since. Now as a mid-teenager he is the only Christian in his classes at school but he stands boldly for God in spite of the persecution he gets sometimes. Before I moved on his grandmother insisted on organising a meeting in her home for Marcus and others where I was able to pass on another word for him this time clearly laying out his calling.

This year the meetings on The Faroe Islands were on the main island in a bigger church with more children but organised by the same couple as last year. The weekend before the camp the couple’s eldest son Isak aged ten went and testified raising the excitement level of the children by sharing how last year’s conference had totally changed his life and how exciting it was speaking in tongues and being used in the gifts, the leaders became more excited too. This year Isak and his closest friend Elias were the ministry team. It was a very busy time with ten meetings in one full and two half days with fifty children divided into seven to ten and eleven to fifteen for teaching. God warned us ahead to watch out as the devil was not happy and the first meeting he struck. It was the only meeting where both age groups were together and some parents got upset while the children had no problem at all. Almost all responded for the need in these days to have real assurance of their salvation, so many I had to get help ministering to them as it was too many for the boys alone. Many then said they now really knew that Jesus was in them. God showed us how to deal with that attack, the next morning we had the whole team together, we prayed had an amazing worship time and no more trouble.

During teaching on the Holy Spirit many were filled in both groups, the younger group only a couple didn’t speak in tongues, the older ones everyone did. The older group a girl was so tense she was stiff as a board so didn’t speak the moment she relaxed she was off. While a boy couldn’t because of his low self-esteem, a little talk and he just began to flow. He couldn’t speak a word of English but as he left he gave me a huge smile and squeezed my arm, I believe that was his way of saying thank you. The final meeting, I shared on giving their whole lives as an offering to God for Him to use as he wanted then tried several ways to dissuade both groups from responding but they persisted. With the teens I had hands up then down tried again to dissuade them but again everyone responded. God gave words in every meeting and I don’t think I have ever had so much feedback as I did there. A father told us his teen son didn’t want to attend but Dad said he was, the first meeting he was the first to respond and God gave me a word for him. After that he told his Dad, ‘I am fine now I want to go’! Two said “that was the second time they had been given that exact word”. Another the leaders sat in floods of tears as the word God gave exactly described that child. A leader said, she had been seeking God on something for a while then as a word was given to a girl that was also her answer. The leader recording the words said she just had to send off immediately two words, by SMS, to their parents because they were so significant later the parents called back in tears. During a time in the presence of God I had a word and not wanting to disturb went unannounced to share it. Part of the word said to keep holding his hands out to receive more of God’s anointing. Two boys behind who were completely lost in God and so hungry, thought it was for them so immediately shot their hands out like rockets. I thought nothing more of it until next morning in the family service. I was giving my introduction and God pointed out the same boys sitting in the same formation and said “now, emphasising the NOW (as I usually give individual words at the end) bring them up here I want to speak to them”. As God spoke the two faces were radiant and one had watery eyes, (these were young teens). The bible says God never leaves the hungry to go wanting or empty, they were still beaming when they left the church. God only knows His purpose in choosing to give those two words publicly.

The young teens final meeting was so special they didn’t want the meeting to stop, we had worship which brought the presence of God, I spoke and they all responded. As I prayed for them the presence of God came stronger and when I said ‘amen’ no one moved, they stood eyes closed hands held out. I needed to know from God what to do so they just stood in silence for ages. Then God led me to move among them giving words as He directed, still no one moved, ages later still they were totally lost. Eventually I felt I had to close though I get the feeling they would have gone on for hours more. Even then one I had a word just flopped down onto the edge of his seat hands still with palms up and eyes closed and stayed that way until the leader concluded and everyone slowly started to move.

Even as we were clearing up God had more, the local leader shared. In the service I had strongly emphasised how the adults must now continually band around these children pray and protect them. She said they are going to officially appoint four adults to every child to intercede for them. The organising couple are invited visit this church regularly to help them take the children on. A big thing happened for Isak and he told his mother, I have learnt to recognise the voice of God and I know that God needs me too. A lady over seventy had been praying for years for the children to really experience God, this spring someone gave her a word that soon she would see her prayers answered. She said “today I have seen my prayers answered before my eyes”. Hallelujah!!

Nothing to add the above says it all. You were a vital part of this and I pray a double blessing for you as that mother had.

Thank You & God Bless you so much

David

Papua New Guinea – Potinus update April 2016

Update from the Potinus

April 24th marks one year since we arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and what a year it has been. It’s been incredible seeing different things happening both here in Port Moresby and also in the village of Anga near Mount Hagen. So here are some highlights and updates on our family and some of the different projects that God has lead us to be a part of.

Trevor

We are so blessed to have little Trevor Lawrence Potinu as part of our family. He was born on February 19th and has already been quite the little traveler. So far he has taken two plane rides and been to four different provinces here in PNG. Now he just needs a passport. He keeps us very entertained with his fun personality and adorable smiles.

WEWF

In Port Moresby, we have been able to facilitate a monthly Widows Encouraging Widows Fellowship. The purpose of this group is to create a place for widows to come, share their stories, encourage other widows, learn skills, and receive prayer and moral support. This is an interdenominational group that is designed to reach out to widows and their children. The monthly meetings always include a meal and time of fellowship which allows the ladies a chance to make connections and know that they are not alone in their often challenging situations.

The John Pa Memorial Library

The John Pa Memorial Library that we were able to open last time we were in the village is doing well. Thanks to Elizabeth, who runs the library, the first phonics class graduated this March. It was a joy to see the 25 students participating in their program while we were in the village. For those interested in sending books (grades 1-8) for the library they can be mailed to the following address:

The John Pa Memorial Library

P.O. Box 1634

Mount Hagen 281,

WHP Papua New Guinea

The Widows’ House

In Anga, it has been exciting to be a part of helping build a permanent house for two widows a grandmother Yasameng and her daughter in-law Ai who is also a widow and has two young children. This past year, as money has come in for the project, we have been able to help get the house started. The Widows’ House Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to building their house. As of last month, outer walls are now up, a roof is on, and the flooring is about to be laid. Interior work is still left to do. There is still a need for doors, windows, lights, painting, and things of that nature; but it is amazing to see what has been accomplished. Hopefully the family will be able to move into their new house in the near future.

India – June 2016

NAIOTH CHILDREN’S HOME NEWS
A testimony of prayer and trust in God Sewing Instructor: Mrs. Bharathi Yarlagadda – once our old student during 1996- 2002; now married and blessed with two daughters. Started sewing centre and started a Bible Study group under the guidance of one of our BMi Associates Rev. Rao.
Bharathi Meripe lost her mother when she was young and thus she was brought to the Orphanage. She comes from a very poor family and her father was unable to feed and take care of his kids after his wife died. Bharathi left the orphanage when her father fell sick and the younger sister and brother could not take care of the sick father. Her father recovered well after sometime and later on married Bharathi to a young man from a well-to-do family. Rajababu Yarlagadda, Bharathi’s husband, inherited some money after his father died and spent all that money on drinking alcohol and with his friends. Bharathi was beaten badly for questioning him about all this and he persecuted her for couple of years.
While he was beating her and speaking very bad language against her, she used to kneel down and pray until he subsided. It went on for some time and Bharathi
patiently endured all that suffering through faith and prayer.
One day Rajababu realised what he was doing and how his wife patiently put up with him and his abusive behaviour and he turned to the Lord. He gives a very thankful testimony of all this and glorifies God by saying that Bharathi was the reason for his realisation and salvation. He lost all his money and he finds work, as a Painter, only for a few days in a month. Bharathi was trained in Sewing at Paul’s Training Centre (supported by the Lees) and was given one Sewing Machine as a gift. We provided two more machines through House of the Rock funds as she builds a good business in the neighbourhood. As she found it very tiring and tedious to work on the manual machine, we provided an electric motor that runs the machine. She is able to support her two daughters and her husband through difficult times.
She expressed her willingness together with her husband that they wish to help the women in their neighbourhood with Sewing Training and Tutorial Centres.
This would help the couple as well as several young women in their neighbourhood. That’s how the Sewing Centre and the Tutorial Centre started in the Village last year.

Other News from Naioth

  • It was with great pleasure to have had Samuel Babu from India with us last month. Unlike us who travel to India on a regular basis ,Samuel rarely gets to
    visit here. So it is a special occasion for him and us. Samuel and John first met 20 years ago this coming November when they established together what is now known as Naioth Children’s Home. He and Vijaya had a young family of three children then. Now his two eldest children have just graduated completing a degree in India then a Masters in Computer Science and Media in the US while Danny the youngest (aged 19) still studies in India and helps his dad with the children’s home. They are a loving family and together have helped many young people in India mostly from the poorer villages to experience a Christian home and schooling and receive a vision for their future better than what would have been their expectation. We thank everyone who has supported the work in India by sponsoring, praying or going there with us.
  • Naioth students have sat for exams in May and are beginning the new school year in June.
  • India Team Trip 2016…anyone interested in coming to India in November for 3 weeks (Nov 15th-Dec 8th) for a wonderful experience: contact Jenny Barnes at barnesj@internode.on.net
  • Can You Help with things we are collecting for the India Trip this November? Cut out pictures from magazines, beads and buttons, face painting crayons, skipping ropes, hair brushes, hair ties, small bouncing balls, coloured pencils, textas, balloons and bubbles. We are collecting financial gifts to purchase a set of clothing and shoes at $20 per child for 200 children.

Thank You.

CHRIST SPECIAL SCHOOL NEWS
Many things have been happening at CSS…We are especially blessed with new physiotherapy equipment. Most of the things are useful for our differently abled children. And a few things for mentally retarded children. One of the class rooms is getting prepared for physio therapy studio. Thank you for your prayer and support for this equipment. We recently celebrated World Disabled Day and Christ Special High School participated with other schools and performed dances and they received prizes and certificates from the district collector.
The Christ Special High School children sat for exams and are on leave with relatives. They will come back to school in June. We are going to visit different villages and motivate and invite more physically challenged children to study at CSS.
We pray and thank all our friends and supporters from Australia.

Paul (CSS Manager)
Report from John and Christina—Working in surrounding villages in Tamil Nadu
The Home work Study Centres are going well. The students are enjoying coming to these centres. Parents and guardians for the children are happy to note the positive change in the children. The teachers are very cooperative and hard working. We have started 5 centres. About 40-60 children attend each centre regularly. A teacher, youth worker or pastor is in-charge of each centre. There were 5 tuition centres with about 40 children in three centres and 30 in one and 20 in another. The new centre which has been started on 1st June has about 40 children. All together we have about 210 kids in six centres /villages. We have told the kid and parents about the fees of Rupees 25 each per month, which all of them have agreed. However, we will be flexible while collecting the fees at the end
of each month. We asked the teachers to be sensitive and in case the parents unable pay the fees we will give concession or fully exempt from paying. This we are doing it to make the parents as partners in the program. We hope it bring positive outcome and sustainability in the long run. We project to collect about Rupees 4000 to 5000. Hence we may not require additional support for the new centre but we need continued support for the existing 5 centres.
We are all doing well with regard to work. The tuition centres, elderly support, hostel visits and children support are going well. Through these programs it brings lot of changes and empowers the individuals and their families. Glory to God.
The elderly program which was recently started is going well and through this program we were able to connect with the community/village. In Easter celebrations some of the family members of the elderly participated. It was a good chance for them to know of the compassion of Jesus Christ. We intend to have the group meeting every Friday from 9am to 1 pm, providing morning tea and lunch for them. The children have finished writing school exams, some of our children express that they would like to change the school and hostel. We are visiting new schools and talking to Principals regarding the enrolment in
June. We are planning to have end of school year meeting at CSS for all CSS past students at the end of this month. We would be inviting the current CSS children too. Students gathering on 28th went on well. The children were happy to catch up with others and enjoyed the get together.
Mrs Banu has come down to Vellore for a medical check up. She is becoming weak and needs care, though she is mobile and able to look after her personal needs.
Please pray for:

  • Tuition centres – especially the new one (If God willing we can start more centres as we have requests from neighbouring villages to do so.)
  • Youth work among Hostel students.
  • Elderly program.
  • For John, Christina and Paul and other individuals involved in the program to work effectively as a team.

Praise the Lord for His continued guidance and we could see that He has been expanding the work.
Thank you for the all the support and hard work at your end.
Kind Regards, John and Christina

Here are 2 children from NAIOTH CHILDREN’S HOME who are in need of a sponsor:

  1. Balu POTHABATHULA Age: 8 Class: IV Standard Balu comes from a poor family that belongs to the fishing community, which is one of the lower castes in India. His father is a chronic alcoholic and doesn’t care for the family. Balu exhibits a cheerful disposition and is playful with the other kids. He was quite uninterested in studies to start with but has adjusted well in the Children’s Home and is now keen with his studies.
  2. Lakshmi BODDU Age: 6 Class: II Standard Lakshmi was unable to be cared for by her poor father since her mother passed away so was admitted into the Children’s Home. Although she battled loneliness and depression in the beginning at Naioth, Lakshmi has now been able to make friends and enjoys the worship services.

 

India – October 2016

NAIOTH CHILDREN’S HOME NEWS
Dear Sponsor,
Just recently I felt it necessary to make a quick trip to India in response to some Government initiatives that will be and are affecting the Children’s Homes in both Rajahmundry and Sankarapuram, the more urgent of the two needs being in Rajahmundry. I met up with David Abbott from the UK there.
There has been a significant change in the land of India over the last few years. While there is still crushing poverty in many places, especially the rural areas, there have been a number of reform packages put in place by the Government, one of which being to raise the national literacy level in children. As a consequence the Indian Government is encouraging all children to attend public schools and many Indian Orphanages have closed or limited the educational programs they have provided.
While superficially the reforms sound good, unfortunately they offer very little for the lower caste children and the untouchables.
In fact many of those children will receive inadequate education as they continue to be discriminated against because of their caste.
As the city of Rajahmundry has expanded, the Children’s Home has found itself in the middle of a developing commercial zone – a very busy and noisy environment for children. On the up side the property has now become quite valuable. Consequently we have decided to relocate and expand our facility, moving further out into the country to a village in the regions where the children originally lived. Our hope is to continue to provide for their future there.
The plans for the new Children’s Home in the Rajahamundry area begin with preparing for the sale of our present property, land and buildings, and creating a more diverse new facility 30 minutes further out in the villages. The new facility will have significant advantages for the children, their families and relatives. From now on, where possible, we hope to house children in their own homes or those of a near relative. Their education, uniforms, books and school fees will continue to be met by us as they attend local schools. Their welfare will be monitored and we will provide assistance with their needs and to some extent the needs of the family. For this task we will employ widows and local pastors who will monitor the children’s needs. They will provide rice, vegetables and other staples for the family home so that the child and the whole family will be blessed. We are establishing at least five child care centres in adjacent villages which will be known as ‘Rural Family Care Centres’. Many of the children in these villages are from the lower castes or are untouchables. The plan is to help equip and educate these children while living in their own home or village where that is possible. Where children are orphaned or live with abusive or alcoholic parents we will provide a Children’s Home where, as before, all their needs will be provided at our new facility.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?
We are in the process of relocating the children and establishing them in appropriate schools. We have established three Rural Family Care Centres so far where disadvantaged children attending the local Primary and High Schools will come for two hours every morning before school and for two hours every evening. We have appointed tutors to sit with the kids and help them with their homework and provide them with any assistance they may need with their education. These Rural Family Care Centres are designed to help children who are having difficulty at school and provide a breakfast for the children every morning and in the evening a snack which will consist of milk, bournvita (a nutritional milk-additive powder drink like Milo but healthier) and an egg. It’s a big change for us all, but we have a time line which will extend the development of the facility.
Firstly we will finish the relocation and re-establishment of the children in their own village and with their own family or relatives.
Secondly we are in the process of acquiring some land on which we will build a new orphanage facility for those who are unable to live with family. In the meantime we will temporarily place those children at an orphanage operated by Samuel’s brother Paul and continue to support them there.
After we have purchased the land and having met all Government requirements, we hope to begin construction of a new facility, starting with the Children’s Home, then followed by an Adult Training Centre from which we can provide sewing lessons and other skills, and a Tuition Centre for children up
to Year 12. We will also be providing a free Medical Clinic/Triage Centre at the main facility, accessible to the local villagers and free to the poor or by part payment to those who have the capacity to make a contribution.
Samuel, the Indian board of management and the Australian team together with David Abbott all believe this is the way for the future with respect to India’s poor and marginalised. Now, as over the past 20 years, their future is largely in our hands. Our goal remains the same; to provide for their needs, helping them to become all they can be both now and into the future. We are grateful that over the last two decades several thousand children have been helped because of the Children’s Homes. We are honoured to serve some of India’s poor by feeding, clothing, educating and providing medical care and counselling for all who have walked down the more difficult roads of life. We are grateful to the workers who have tirelessly laboured to help them but none of this would have been possible if it were not for you … your provision and prayers opened the door to opportunity and hope to those who had so little. In every way it’s the sponsors who have faithfully provided for the care, the education, and development of so many very underprivileged children. Our commitment is to continue to see each child become all that they can be and one day hopefully to break the bonds of poverty that has threatened to hold them hopelessly captive.
Our prayer is that they will reflect the care and the love you have shown them, to others as they themselves break free from the poverty that has relentlessly rendered them powerless.
So a new day is dawning but the vision remains the same and we are asking for your patience and continued support as we build for the future.
We are still looking forward to taking teams across to India each year and we will still do our best to keep you updated in every area of development. We will be traveling to India again in November as a team of 13, and will let you know about the progress of the new venture as together we help change their future.
As things settle we will be able to review our sponsorship rates. In the meantime, if you allow we would continue to use your Naioth sponsorship payments to fund these Rural Family Care Centres.
Please email John or Jenny if you consent to this at barnesj@internode.on.net
or phone: John (0400260101) or Jenny (0428262039).
– John Barnes

TRIP TO INDIA (NOVEMBER 2016)
We ask for your prayers for the team… 6 from Victoria, 4 from Canberra, 2 from SA and 1 from Cairns. Half the team have been before. The rest are new including two 16 year old young ladies. We will be mixing with young, old, poor and vulnerable people in their rural villages. 600 million people in India live in rural villages. Thank you to all who have given for Christmas gifts and clothing and for the goods to take over with us.
2 Cor 9:12 encourages us that “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. …And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace God has given you.”

CHRIST SPECIAL SCHOOL NEWS
Thank for your email and funds. Now we are sending new academic year student photos old and new. This year we have started a Hearing Impaired class. A Trained teacher joined with us she is taking care of 7 hearing impaired students. Thank you for your prayer and support.

HOME WORK STUDY CENTRES (IN VILLAGES SURROUNDING CSS)
Students are back to the Homework Study Centres (Tuition Centres) from 1st June 2016 for this academic year. On the request of students in a nearby village, a new centre has been started this year in which about 40 students attend. Currently 6 centres are functioning. About 200 children attend these centres between 5.30pm to 7.30pm from Monday to Saturday. Students from two more villages are asking for a centre in their village. We are praying for the Lord’s guidance in this.
Interacting with the students and teachers, we have learnt that the students and parents/guardians are happy about our work. While discussing with the parents/guardian they expressed that the children’s academic performance has improved and their attitude changed positively as well after
coming to the centres. Many of our students have gained confidence to participate in sports and academic competitions within the school and inter-school competition. We conducted formal parents meeting in one centre on 14 July. About 25 parents participated. In the meeting some of the parents expressed that they wanted to come to-gather as a group for prayers and guidance in parenting skills. The first meeting was held on the following Sunday, 17th July 2016 (about 33 women attended the meeting). The pastor led them with a short message and prayers. They will be meeting every Sunday evening. As this has happened all of a sudden, we are praying for the Lord’s leading in engaging this group. We will be conducting formal parent’s meeting in our other 5 centres in August and looking forward to hear their feedback and needs. Praise God for the new avenues of serving people. Please pray for us to be sensitive in working with the parents’ group and meet their expectation. Children are getting back to schools after the Term 1 break. All seem to have enjoyed the well
earned break. Most of them did not come home in between. Whereas in the previous school/hostel they came home every week end and took couple of days more to stay back at home. We had a get together on Saturday (1 October) from 9.30 to 4.30. We had two youth workers from Chennai. They did a good
job. The local Pastor Thomas of Methodist Church and the Headmaster of CSS also helped to conduct the program. 41 children attended the program and enjoyed singing, watching video and puppet show. It was good that our support children have brought their friends and siblings. All were happy to be
back at CSS.
A past student: Praise the Lord. Jeysri got selected for Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery/Multi Purpose Health Worker course (two year diploma ) in the Christian College of Nursing.
It is a big step for her. Her father and family members are happy that she got into a vocational course and in a good reputed college. She is the first one from her family to go beyond year 12. CSS had been a source of encouragement to her and to her father even after she left CSS 3 years ago when she completed year 10.
Thank you for your prayers and your support while she was in CSS and in Hope Community College (she did one year course with us ‘Diploma in Health Assistance’). Thank you also for supporting and encouraging us in working with such needy young people.
At the Hope College (Hope Typewriting Institute), we celebrated the 70th Independence Day of India on 15th August. God is so good that we have over 40 students learning typing currently.
We are planning to start computer training from 1st Sept onward. Also praying and planning to advertise for typing work to be done as an addition to the Institute to provide on the job training and make small money through the service to support the Institute. Please pray for this.
The Elderly support group meeting is being held on Fridays between 10 am to 2pm at the Church. Thanks particularly for elderly support. On average about 15 elderly individuals gather for activities, including games, singing and praying. They also get their blood checked for glucose and BP by a nurse. The members
are highly thankful for the program. Most of them come from a nearby village and we arrange autos for their transport.
The elderly program went on well as usual at the local Methodist Church. The group wanted us to help them with learning to read and write. From next week onwards we would be focusing on this, first to help them write their names. Couple of middle aged women from the same village came for prayer and joined with the group.

Kind Regards, John and Christina

VALE (FAREWELL) MRS BANU
Mrs Banu, together with her husband, were both retired schoolteachers. They had observed that there were a large number of disabled children who were not able to receive an education so a vision was fostered to be able to provide for them.
To cement this vision they began a school for the “differently able” children in 1993 and this is now what is known as Christ Special School. Since then this school has provided food, shelter, love and education to children who would otherwise be forced to live in poverty and without an education. All this has operated under a very strong Christian ethos. In addition to CSS, Mrs Banu established and ran a ministry to Lepers, to Gypsies and to many elderly women in the area. As well as being a woman of prayer she also spent a great deal of time discipling women to equip them to minister alongside her in these ministries.
It has been the privilege and pleasure of HOTRock to know and support Mrs Banu in her ministries and to be part of the answer to her prayers in enabling these
special children to have a meaningful and God centred life. We will miss her. The team will unveil a commemoration of her when we visit in November.
Mrs Banu has been supported in her ministries by her family and HOTRock and sponsors who will continue supporting these vital ministries. Mrs. Banu died at the end of August 2016 aged 80 and leaves two sons and a daughter, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law, 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.