Report from BHW India Partnership Facilitator Following Visit

Key person: T Raja 

Recent Events

The New Ark Mission of India (NAMOI) has continued to grow since we last visited in March 2015. At that stage Raja and his team were providing housing and care for up to 450 men, women and children. There are now around 560 (including 60 children) plus staff, babies and Raja’s family. He says all up it is now around 600. The homes are a sight to behold and Raja is planning to start building a further story on the children’s home next month to cope with the continued growth. 

I am always astounded by Raja’s sense of servant leadership. When I arrived someone told me I would find Raja in the kitchen. Sure enough there he was, literally slaving over a hot stove stirring a huge pot of food. Feeding the 600 people multiple times each day is no small task. Raja says he goes through around 50-60 kgs of vegetables a day and about 3.6 tonnes of rice each month. The rice alone is about US$2,100 per month. I realise that it is not an easy job for Raja and his family, and they struggle with many issues – but through all the tireless hours of service, this man’s joy and sense of fun continues to shine through. He is truly a modern day Good Samaritan and one I could learn so much from.

Once again Raja’s creativity and desire to make a home of peace for his people has led to the next addition at the home. A year ago a local contractor had a whole of lot of black granite that did not meet specifications and he couldn’t sell it. So the contractor sent about 5-6 trucks of granite to NAMOI and dropped it off for Raja to use. Raja wasn’t sure what to do with it but then he had an idea to create a “fort for the destitute people.” So that is exactly what he is doing…his ladies now live in a palace!

We spoke with Raja about whether he, his wife Devi and their children could have some time away to refresh. He has told me again that he will take a holiday this year – we need to hold him accountable to this! 

Raja said to me that when people come to their homes of hope they are often not Christians but when they see Auto Raja’s work they believe that Jesus is alive. He said, “That is my witness. I don’t want to say by word Jesus loves you – if they see my testimony and my work and my character they should understand [I am] doing this like Jesus – I want to be a witness to my nation…If someone is hungry I’ll feed them food, if someone is naked I’ll [give them] clothes, if someone is wound[ed] I’ll put on the bandage and clean the pus…then I will tell them “Jesus loves you.” That is my calling…through action I want to show Jesus is a living God, He’s a loving God.” (Photo shows Raja on a motorbike ambulance he designed)

Raja is now being asked to speak to large audiences all over India. He goes and shares his life story and the story of Christ. He said he shares about how he used to be a “wild animal and now I became a domestic animal because of Christ’s love.”  He told me his name Raja means King. But he said God is a “King maker, He is a King destroyer…He has made me a King for the destitute people.”

Personal Stories

I met this little boy when I first entered the children’s home – he reached up with his arms for a cuddle. Raja tells me that he and his brother have been abandoned by their mother. When this little boy first arrived he was so weak he could not even sit up on his own – now he is thriving! 

The children all call Raja daddy – he treats each and every one of them like his own child. 

Aravind

Last time we visited we met Aravind who used to work for Ogilvy & Mather, an international advertising, marketing and public relations agency based in Manhattan. He had been brought in by the police with amnesia and does not remember much of his past life. Aravind was brought in to the Home of Hope and T Raja looked after him. I met him again while I was here this time and while he looks much older and his memory is still struggling there was a lightness about him. I had a moment to ask him where he was at with Jesus Christ. Last time I met him he was not a believer but hugely respected Raja’s testimony of his life. This time he said he is believing – he said he is reading the bible and that it is hard not to have all the people around him impact his belief. I’m not sure exactly where he is with Christ but I am sure that Raja’s life and the life of all those serving there are continuing to have a huge impact on lives like Aravind’s. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

The partnership’s influence in the community continues to be highlighted through the many awards that Raja receives for his community work but also that a lot of people in the community now help by providing funding. 

Ideas for the Future

Raja would one day like to replace around 200 of the cots/bunk beds at NAMOI. The cots he has at the moment are made of iron but they deteriorate over about 6 or 7 years because of the urine on the floor and general wear and tear. He would like to now buy stainless steel and make the cots with his team. This would cost about US$250 per bed compared to about $500 if he bought them. A normal metal cot costs about US$150 each. 

Current Issues and Challenges

The general challenge continues of meeting the everyday costs. There is an opportunity for us to consider some further funding for the cots – the total funding required is about US$50,000. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Continued prayer for strength for Devi and T Raja. The strain on their marriage (even though they joke about it) is real. 
2) Praise for the continued provision of food and funding 
3) He is being asked to speak to large conferences now, youth events and others. He shares the gospel and talks about the NAMOI and his life story. Pray for him as he is an evangelist.