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About Faith harvest Ministries |
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Our History, Our Vision, Our Mission, and various areas of ministries. |
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You Matter to God! |
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Ministry Article "Put God back into Life" |
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Powerful Story |
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Founder's Life "A real life story of Love and Redemption" |
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Reaching the Lost |
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Every Soul Counts Everyday "The Heartbeat of God" |
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Medical Ministry |
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Medical Ministry "Low cost service, effective, and great results" |
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Help Orphan Child |
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Faith Home "Putting LIFE back into Orphans" |
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Ministry Partner |
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Become a Partner |
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Donations "You can make a difference today. And every penny counts" |
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Powerful Story
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My life has been changed forever because of the efforts of the American Christian Community. Several years ago, Christians began helping the orphans and the destitute in the villages of India. My biological parent placed me in one of the American sponsored Christian orphanages. The story continues today.
I was named after a Hindu god, Govinda but my name was later changed to John. My low caste Hindu family lived in one of India’s remote interior villages. My biological father was a bond laborer. My family’s poverty and situation provided little hope for my future. At the age of five, my biological parents put me in an orphanage in near Central India. Seven years later I was adopted by Americans who were living in Schenectady, New York at the time. I was about twelve years old when I arrived in the United States.
Now, as an adult, I am back in India. My wife and I share our home with orphan children, and share the Good News of Jesus. As I reach out to villagers on a daily basis, I am discovering things about my roots, history, and culture. I have had time to ponder what my life may have been if it was not for my adoption. Just staying alive is a great challenge for most of the villagers, and many kids are expected to work at an early age to help make ends meet for their families. It is not hard for me to imagine what my life would have become if had remained in India as a child.
Children’s life in Life in India’s Villages:
There are many children, as young as eight years old, who are robbed of their education by enforced labor. It is not unusual for children to work along with their parents in the fields, rice mills, family restaurant, small business or home. They often put in a full day’s work by carrying fire wood on their heads and tending animals (cows, water buffalos, sheep and goats). Many young children are required to beg at train stations, bus stations, road signal stops, and in many of the tourist areas. There are others that hope to make a few rupees by going through the public garbage cans looking for recycled products such as plastic covers, cans, caps, and bottles. There are some that are truly orphans, sleeping on the road side or in bus and train stations. I can't imagine someone not having a mom or dad, but I could have been one of those children. Some of them are easily exploited by wealthy and middle class people, especially the businessmen. There are others who just roam around without any jobs, discipline, education, spiritual guidance, or direction in their lives. Some learn bad habits and abuse their parent’s hard earned money. I could have been one of those children.
Most of the villagers work very hard in the hot sun, or in the heavy rain without any sandals, all of them carrying splinters in the bottoms of their feet. They work for very small wages. When I see children going to school with filthy and torn up clothes, without any sandals, and no one to take them to school, I am troubled and shocked. I could have been one of those children. My heart goes out to the villagers and their children. I have witnessed children die because doctors could not do anything for them, and the agony that parents go through because they cannot afford proper treatment for their sick children.
Business men and the government officials rob these villagers at every opportunity they get. If a employee were to complain to their employer for mistreatment, or pointed out issues that was not happy about, he would be fired. There are always other workers who are willing to take his or her place.
The cost of basic goods is once again on the rise in India, making life even more difficult for those who are poor. Today, I am helping my father manage his family on a monthly basis because of God's provision to me. What about the many that do not have the opportunity that I have? I can relate to them and my heart cries out for God�s mercy for them.
Adoption’s Blessings:
My adopted parents are the best in the world and I love them very much. It is not easy to raise a nearly grown up child, but with a lot of prayer and patience my parents have done a wonderful job. I gave my parents the most difficult time during my adolescent years, far more than any of my siblings. They put up with me, and still loved me. My parents have taught me to love God, myself and truth. They have helped me to learn how to see absolute truths, and instrumental in developing my character. (Well, maybe they are still helping me develop my character!) I am blessed because of them. Whenever I think of my parents, it is always my adopted parents that come to my heart and mind.
I was born into India’s Hindu Mala caste (a station so low in India that its name is only shamefully mentioned, even among its members). India’s Hindu community views members of tribal groups and scheduled castes as useless beings. I could have been raised without hope, education, opportunity or self-respect. Instead, I am a citizen of heaven and America. I am loved by God and two families, and have learned to love the person God created me to be. I am no longer a slave to caste system, but I am a child of God who has been sent to bring his love to others. I am no longer blinded by the Hindu religion, or its damaging culture of shame, fear, and inferiority. I am free in Christ, and in his message of love. It is an honor for me to share the Gospel that set me free with India’s tribals and Hindus.
This is my family’s prayer:
"For it is God who works in you (John & Simmi) to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13