If you’ve seen the movie “Slum Dog Millionaire” you know the extreme hardship of orphan children on the streets of India. The hardships depicted in the movie are a real and honest portrayal of the oppression these children face. They are treated as outcasts, trash, worthless.
A year ago our church bought land to build an orphanage in India. The orphanage is named, “New Life Children’s Home” and is home to 164 children. We also partner with the “Light of Love” children’s home which is home to over 500 children.
I was touched by the story of one of our members. Kim, who visited these orphanages recently. Kim was profoundly impressed by the love these children express to the Westsiders’ who visit. It is a scene that is hard to describe. Hundreds of children swarming to give hugs, and dancing with joy.
As Kim reflected on this experience she shared a personal revelation. These children are deeply grateful that Westside has rescued them from a lifestyle of poverty, and the streets of oppression. We provide them a home, school, food, a safe place to call home, and we tell them the story of Jesus and His love.
Kim said that God’s been waking her up to the idea that He has rescued her, and all of us, from the same lifestyle of hopeless oppression. This rescue is cause for celebration and joy overflowing.
This story challenges me to take a moment to reflect on the amazing rescue that God has provided. I am asking Him to help me to know the love and joy that our children in India feel each day.
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19% of the children in the world live in India.
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50% of the unreached people groups in the world are in India.
