Report from BHW India Partnership Facilitator 

In January 2018 Bright Hope World ran a summit in Bangalore for all our Indian and Nepalese partners. This was an amazing time which almost every one of our partners attended. In total we had about 40 people from India and Nepal and another nine from New Zealand, England and the USA. 

We prayed this would be a time where our partners met one another (many for the first time), learned from each other, were encouraged in the Lord, and went home inspired to keep serving the Lord in their communities. The Lord answered our prayer. 

It was so encouraging, and inspiring, to listen to every partner share their ministry’s story. From those who have been serving in ministry for 30+ years, to those who have just started in the past 18 months, every story impacted this gathering of believers. 

Running the conference in Bangalore meant I couldn’t visit each of the partners in their own environment and so I am only able to provide a brief update from each of the partnerships. 

Joshua (Auto) Raja joined us at the January Bright Hope World summit. He showed a movie that explained the work of the Home of Hope to all of the participants and then he shared his vision and passion for his work, and for Jesus. Every one of our partners is unique but I have never seen so many of our partners impacted like they were at the end of his session. One partner commented that he now realised the main reason he was as the conference was to see and hear Joshua’s story. 

Joshua spoke just after we had run a session on the “poorest of the poor” and had group discussions on how we can effectively care for the physical and spiritual needs of our communities. The Home of Hope illustrates how these two needs are intrinsically linked. If you try to address one in isolation from the other, it all falls over.

Recent Events

Ongoing Development

We visited the Home of Hope a couple of days later and were amazed to see that Joshua has continued to extend the facility. He is now building a large 5-storey extension to the children’s home. This will accommodate all the women and will allow Joshua to move the men from the men’s home to the old women’s home. The men’s home will now be used to house people who, while destitute, are relatively healthy. As the Home has grown they have tried to meet the needs of the various residents. Having multiple facilities allows for this. Joshua told us that there is now around 700 people living across the various homes. 

Personal Stories

Shusma (we could not take a photo of her) came to the Home of Hope around 18 months ago.  She had got into trouble and spent a couple of months in prison. A Christian ministry visited Shusma while she was in prison and she gave her life to the Lord. When it came time for her to be released she was let out late at night with nowhere to go. She was told to go to the Home of Hope. Accepted and loved she has stayed on and now serves in a number of capacities. She was filled with joy and it was wonderful to see her love for the Lord and the ministry.

We met Gracie again. Gracie was the first baby that was brought to the Home of Hope, you may have read her story previously. Joshua and his wife Devi officially adopted Gracie and she now serves alongside them. She is a beautiful young lady, filled with God’s love and joy. It is amazing to see her and think what may have been if Auto Raja had not been willing to respond to God’s call on His life.

Partnership's Influence within the Community

The movie Joshua showed highlights the exceptional impact this ministry has had on the community. He is continuing to live by faith and, as he mentioned to us, the Lord has been faithful all these years. They have not missed one meal for his people. While not regular, the community continues to respond in giving. As the funds arrive Joshua continues to develop and grow the ministry. He is a unique man and you get the feeling that whatever funding he receives, he will continue to use to extend the facilities and allow more people to be cared for.

Current Issues and Challenges

Joshua noted that since the government brought in GST less people have disposable income to give to the Home of Hope. This is a current issue for them. Despite this, Joshua says “I don’t want to shame my God – still He is Jehovah Jireh.” 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Meeting the ongoing costs, especially with a reduction in local giving due to the introduction of GST.
2) Ongoing prayer for Joshua, Devi and their family. That they would have strength and encouragement to keep going.
3) Prayer for protection for those living in the homes and for the staff.