Renuka is the daughter of Gangubai Shinde. She is 17 years old and in the 12^th grade. While Renuka was growing up, her mother was unable to homeschool her and she was also unable to afford the education fees to send her to school. Gangubai shared her concerns with the HCC staff, and HCC decided to help support Renuka’s education.

With the help received from HCC, Renuka was able to begin 12^th grade. She also received extra tuition to pay for classes that would prepare her for her final exam. She is awaiting the results from her exam.

In the future, Renuka hopes to take a computer course and to take higher education courses in business. HCC has helped her not just financially for her education, but also by guiding her in her social and moral life with the help of HCC’s female counselors.

Mrs. Gangubai and her daughter are so grateful for HCC’s contribution to their lives.

To learn more about our partnership with the Hindustani Covenant Church, click here.

We recently received an update from Roy Danforth, a Covenant missionary who works with CEFA:

• Ten more villages have joined the project, meaning the 25 villages in Gamboula are participating in the project!
• The original 15 villages did very well with their crops last year, so much so that they are interested in expanding their crops beyond just fruit trees.
• The new chicken house just received its first set of chickens. These are large, local chickens that have the ability to produce up to 15 chicks at a time.
• There is hope that a new animal husbandry program will begin this year. This co-op program will be headed up by the local Fulani people. The hope is that the local people will not only teach others how to care for animals, but that they will also share with them the love of Christ that they have experienced. Pray that CEFA can secure a veterinary missionary to make this program possible.

We are thrilled that things are going so well with the project and that those involved have been so successful that they are looking for ways to try out even more agricultural techniques! You can support this project by giving here.

Below is a wonderful story about the soup cans have been a family tradition for a woman named Helen from First Covenant Church in Jamestown, NY:

For many, many years my dad was the one who counted the [Covenant] World Relief Banks for our church. He had the time to do it since he was retired and was a “detail person” so the tedious task of counting and wrapping hundreds of dollars in coins was something he enjoyed. Each year he would find things other than USA coins in the banks – foreign coins, buttons, bus tokens, tiddlywinks, etc. I can still see him sitting by the dining room table meticulously counting each bank. He was thrilled with the banks and that such small amounts of money, faithfully given, could accomplish so much to help people in need all over the world.

When dad no longer had the strength to carry all those coins to the bank, he would still do the counting and wrapping and I would then take the money to the bank for him. In the past several years, I have counted the banks often for our church. Each time I do, I think about the example my dad set  for me of faithfully serving Christ and his church in this small way. Small acts of faithfulness, whether in giving or in counting what is given, are important. Thanks for the banks and for years of faithful giving and faithful serving that they inspired!

We are grateful that the soup cans make such an impact, both for the individuals and families who use them and for those around the world who benefit from them. If you have a story you would like to share, please send it to us at covenantworldrelief(at)covchurch.org or by mail to Covenant World Relief, 8303 W. Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631. Thank you!

Vijay shares his faith at a street rally in New Delhi, India.

It’s not often that we get a glimpse of what Paul’s ministry might have been like. Recently I was afforded the opportunity to see God moving like most of us only hear about in Sunday school.

I had been in New Delhi less than twenty-four hours when I met Vijay, a member of Truthseekers International, whose mission is to set India free from its 3,000 year-old caste system that today results in hundreds of millions of Indians living in abject poverty. Their message is simple—the caste system is a lie holding India captive, but Jesus is the truth that will set them free. The message of that freedom so moved Vijay that he left Hinduism altogether. He rejected the lie that he was inextricably defined by his caste and embraced the truth that his identity is defined by a God who has set him free. Before hearing the good news of Jesus, Vijay was a stonecutter. Over the years he had perfected the art of carving Hindu gods, which he had made into a successful career. Vijay had been participating in and perpetuating the very system that holds him and his country captive.

Isn’t it so true that freedom always comes at great cost? Nowhere has that been clearer to me than in this New Testament-like street gathering as we listened to Vijay. The same system that enslaved him was also the same system that provided income and security. Yet for the sake of true freedom, he laid it all aside.

Earlier this month, Sunil and Grant [leaders from Truthseekers] went to Madhya Pradesh to start the first batch of Truthbearers training. Truthbearers is a term we are using to equip the OBC [other backward caste] priesthood. As villages accept their King, Yeshua, this means they reject the Brahmin priesthood that previously performed their sacred events. Truthseekers has begun the process of training these selected leaders, calling them Truthbearers, and is working towards teaching them to lead in all sacred occasions (such as weddings, funerals, etc) of the OBCs that were formerly conducted by Brahmin priests. 

Although we went to this event with the priesthood training in mind, God seemed to have a different plan. New people arrived, and we began introducing the people to Bali Raja, speaking freedom from Brahmanism and exposing the lies of their evil code. In closing, Sunil addressed the meaning of the red thread bound to their wrists. Many have been yoked with this thread their entire lives. The thread is a symbol of slavery. When the Brahmin ties it on, he says a mantra in a language no one can understand. It proclaims that, as Bali Raja became trapped in the underworld after he was conquered, the devotee is now trapped to continue steadfastly in his duty to serve the higher castes. Obviously these men don’t know what the thread means, or they would never tie it on. 

So Sunil explained the meaning, and invited the men up to have their threads cut off. We cut off hundreds of threads and burned them outside. Not only does it symbolically represent “loosing the chains of injustice”, but the threads remind us of the absence of our king, and the cry of our hearts is to see His return. 

The city that hosted this event, Khajuraho, is known for its thousand year old temples dedicated to the god that conquered Bali Raja. These temples are decorated with sensual and explicit carvings. What a joy to preach the gospel of the kingdom in contrast to a kingdom of slavery and lust!

Praise God that so many people are receiving the good news of freedom in Christ!

Nagma Madne is a 30 year old Hindu woman who come from a poor farming family. Her family’s daily income could not even support a day’s meal, so they spent many days and nights starving. Fed up with her family’s condition, she decided to work to help meet the family’s needs, but that job did not provide enough money.

As she was searching for another job, she came in contact with a woman who offered Nagma a good job but it was in Pune. Nagma blindly trusted her and moved to Pune. After reaching Pune, Nagma was forced into the prostitution business. It was a terrible time for her. She made several attempts to return home, but she failed. During her time as a prostitute, Nagma gave birth to three children. Her elder daughter is studying in Bidar and is in fourth grade, while her younger daughter is in first grade in Katraj. Her son is staying with her and going to a nearby school. She was having a very difficult time funding the education of her three children. 

The HCC staff visited her house at Budhwarpet, and during their conversation, Nagma showed a keen interest in leaving the sex business. To gain a sustainable livelihood, Nagma was provided with sewing machine. From that day on Nagma is earning enough to support herself and her family.

She never fails to extend her thanks to all those who have supported her leaving her former life. Today, Nagma is living a normal life. She stitches ladies clothing and is gaining a good income. HCC is helping Nagma’s children for education. Her son Pavan and two daughters Laxmi and Aishwarya are doing well in school.

To learn more about our partnership with the Hindustani Covenant Church, click here.

Hector

Hector, 18 year old student

What was your life like before your involvement at FDF?
I lived on the streets and was involved in gang problems. I did not go to school, and I did not know God.

What was it that brought you to FDF?
The youth group and unity of people that attended there.

What were the first changes you noticed in your life after you came to FDF?
I had a new view on life. I wanted to spend time helping others and knowing God. I was also interested in studying.

Abigail, 16 year old student

What is it like in the neighborhood where you live?
There is lots of violence, drugs, alcohol, and gangs.

Before you started at FDF, what did you think about your future?
I wanted to be a doctor, but before it was only a dream. Now it is a goal.

Abigail

What was it that brought you to FDF?
I was struck by the English activities, the after-school club, and the friendships formed at FDF.

What were the first changes you noticed in your life after you came to FDF?
I had an increased interest in helping others, in a closer relationship with God, and development as a leader.

How do you feel now?
Very happy, satisfied, better person, loved by God.

What do you see for yourself in the future?
I see myself as a professional helping my community as God’s purpose in my life.

Keyla

Keyla, 18 year old psychology student

What was your life like before your involvement at FDF?
I lived a very uncertain life. I wanted to be a better person and succeed in my goals, but I did not know how. I wanted to make better friends.

What is it like in the neighborhood where you live?
There is a lot of family breakdown, drug abuse, drug trafficking, and many of my friends were pregnant at a young age.

What were the first changes you noticed in your life after you came to FDF?
My self-esteem went up, and I was better able to talk about my feelings and support other people.

How do you feel now?
I am very happy because I feel fulfilled at FDF. I’m studying and sharing what I learn with the kids, which is great.

What do you see for yourself in the future?
I see myself as a person who is an agent of change in my community.

Adriana

Adriana, housewife and mother

How have you changed since your involvement at FDF?
Before, I was shy and quiet, but now I am feeling more secure. This confidence has led me to achieve a lot and has awakened my desire to serve others. Spiritually, I have a closer relationship with God.

How do you feel now?
I feel content and happy, and I never tired of thanking God for allowing me to get involved at FDF.