One of the orphanages that we visited was on the southern coast in a village called Kayam Kulum. We met a celebrity there named Sumi. She is ten years old and she reminds me of the princess in the Disney Movie "Alladin". She made the front page of the local paper because she was reported dead afetr the tidal wave hit her village. Some people had seen her on the beach just before the wave hit so they listed her among the dead.

Two days later, local fisherman found her floating in the ocean clinging to a small piece of wood. The local newspaper heard about her and came to the orphanage to take her picture. Sumi lost her father to the tidal wave and her mother is missing, however she has been reunited with her younger sister, Subi and they now live together.

There are eighteen children living in this orphange and each one of them are victims of this natural disaster that the world has forgotten about. We learned that we were the first Americans to visit this place since it was founded two years ago. Additionally, this place has received no financial support since February of this year.

When I heard Sumi's story and realized how desperate the circumstances were here I couldn't help but think what a tradegy it would be for this tiny girl to lose her parents and her home, survive two days at sea only to starve death for want of a bowl of rice, a piece of bread and some clean water to drink.

Each time I visit a new orphange on this trip I meet another Sumi, another miracle child that should not be alive today except for the grace of God and the kindness of these orphange workers. Each time I hear a voice in my head that says " we can't care for all the orphans in India but we can care for the ones in these orphahges"!!!

The Pastor in Sumi's orphanage asked us for the same thing every other Pastor has asked us for on this trip "Please pray for us that God would provide our needs". No one has asked us for money but we provided money just the same. To say that this trip happened in the nick of time is an understatement. We have been able to provide food, clothing, toys, medical supplies and many other needs thanks to the support of i58 donors. The stark reality is that if we had not made this trip NOW many of these children may not have survived much longer.

Please remember Sumi's story and please pray for her and the other children in the Kayam Kulum orphanage that "God will continue to provide for their needs".

God Bless,

Cliff White

OKB

Posted by Cliff White at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are know on the southern coast of India meeting with a man named Jason Job and his family. Jason has two children of his own and cares for thirteen young orphans. In addition to providing care for these children, Jason manages a training center for other orphan caregivers. Currently, there are 65 men participating in a ten week training program. These men have travleled from all parts of India at their own expense to obtain the skills necessary to care for orphan children.

Jason is an excellent example of how this program is working. Jason is an orphan himself who was dropped off at a train station along with his younger siblings. His father said "wait here I will be right back", but his father never returned. I wanted to ask Jason how long he waited at the station before he realised that his father was not ever coming back but I could bring myself to ask the question. I could tell the experience was painful even though it occured almost twenty years ago.

This program works, it just needs additional support from people like us. We don't have to give a lot because a little goes a long way for children who have nothing. You have to come here and see this miracle for yourself, words are inadequate....

Hi to my family,

Thanks for the cards, I love you very much. The seperation is hard on us but I will be home soon!!!

Posted by Cliff White at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Hello All...

Smiling brightly... Cliff just called! He sounded good and said they are having a great time... he said there's a lot of cutting up between everyone and it's made the trip even more special.

Tomorrow they're taking 13 orphans shopping to pick out clothes, shoes and other items needed. Then it's off to the beach... can you imagine how awesome that's going to be! A day on the beach... remember the feeling we all had as children when our parents would take us to the beach! It'll be an experience they'll treasure forever.

Mary's luggage caught up with them today... sorry, no shopping spree for her! But I can see Mark's smile now (save, save, save)! hehe

Prayers are definately needed! Veer's son, Jeremiah and two of his orphans are sick... fever, throwing up and diarrhea. He doesn't feel called home... but it's been extremely tough on his wife. So please pray for them!

Last night as I prayed I felt the urge to pray for each team member by name... Cliff, Eric, Veer, Jeremy, Tia, Mary, Kelly and Allison! I'm not sure why I was lead to do that, but I do know it felt more powerful! Thought I'd share...

Lots of Love ~ Amy

Posted by Cliff Rainer at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello Family...

My big smile is on again aka "night light"... you may have to put on
sunglasses! LOL

Cliff called at 2:30pm (midnight in India). He sounded so good...
excited is more like it! I haven't heard that in his voice in a long
time. They spent the day with the orphans in Mumbai (Mathew AM's
orphanage) and he said the children looked healthier than last year. Praise God!

They were heading to bed because they are traveling to GOA tomorrow...
sounded like a long day of travel. Everyone is doing good... all
suitcases accounted for except for Mary's. They're hoping it'll catch
up with them in GOA... if not a shopping spree for Mary (every girl
likes new clothes, hehe).

I specifically asked about Kelly (Cody's 15 year old cousin, for those
of you who don't know her). Cliff said she was doing great! I know
the Lord is going to do great things with her... she is a special young lady!

That's it for now... I'll continue to update!

Please continue to life them in your prayers...

Love To All ~ Amy

Posted by Cliff Rainer at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our team visited our first orphanage today which is located 40 kilometers north of Mumbai. I had the opportunity to spend a day with these children last year on our last day in India. It was the one location where I was able to slow down and get to know a few children by name. This place and these children are special to me because I no longer saw a crowd of children in an orpahanage but a 5 year old boy named Tanmoy and an 11 year old girl named Pratishka.

The children were in school when we arrived and we were able to see them in their school uniforms and meet the their teachers. The orphans are receiving the same quality education as the local village children and this is an important part of their life. When classes were over I was able to greet Tanmoy. It took him a few minutes to remember me but when we began to draw pictures together he remembered our drawings from last year. Tanmoy gave me at least a dozen pictures that he drew for me to take home. He would grab a piece of paper then run off to a corner to create a masterpiece then run back with the biggest grin to show me what he had done. Tanmoy looked very happy and well adjusted with the other children and orphanage staff. Last year he seemed a little withdrawn and kept to himself. Now he is a bundle of energy and joy.

It took me a litle while to find Pratishka. When I finally found her she was sitting with one of our other team members named Allison. They were in the middle of girl talk when I walked up and said "Hello Pratishka". She was amazed that I knew her name and her face really lit up! We talked for a few minutes about how she was doing in school and how her life had been this past year. Like Tanmoy, Pratishka is much more outgoing in her personality and looks very happy.

These two children like all he other children in these orpanages go through a slow process of coming back to life once they come off the street. It takes time for the pain and suffering to fade away to be replaced by a sense of safety then comfort followed by true happiness and love. Their stories are all different yet all the same. One or both of their parents have died and there is no one to care for them. They either survive on the street by begging or they don't. Somehow a few of them find their way to an orphanage like this one. A neighbor brings them or they walk to the orphange sometimes carrying their little baby brothers and sisters with them.

I want to say thank you to the i58 corporate and individual donors for their support. You are making a difference!!! It is an honor to see first hand what your compassion has produced in these childrens lives.

OKB,

Cliff White
Jax Beach, Florida

Posted by Cliff White at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Hello All...

Cliff called at midnight last night... all is well! They were heading to breakfast. It probably looked like I had a night light in my bedroom because of my big smile shining!

Thanks for the phone calls, hugs and emails... I have a great support system!

I'll keep you posted as I hear more!

Love To All ~ Amy

Posted by Cliff Rainer at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Over the past few weeks several people have asked me if I am ready for another trip to India. At first my answer was "yes" but in these past few days I have come to realize that you can't prepare yourself fully for a trip like this. Words are inadequate to describe dozens of children begging for food at intersections or a blind man begging for money at a train station. I have seen many people sleeping in the medians of six lane streets and have come to realize that the small spot of dirt they lay on is their home. When they wake up that is the place where they will beg for enough money to buy a meal hoping to wake again tomorrow with a chance that maybe one day life will get better.

I am leaving tomorrow, September 16th with a team of seven people and some cash to spread among far to many orphans. Our team is made up of regular people taking time from our jobs and families to bring a little joy and hope to children that are worthy of our very best efforts to comfort them. Some people have said "don't go, it's to dangerous", others have said "there is plenty of need right here in America, why go to India"?

My answer is that in India I have seen beautiful children who need someone somewhere to care. You have to get down on your knees so that you can look them in the eye and hand them a pair of shoes, a blanket or a new sweater to understand why I am going back. There is no way to describe what it is like to give love and hope to these children or the feeling of joy that you can experience by touching some little childs life. I can tell you stories and show you pictures but that is not real life.

Come with me to India and I will show you real life....

Posted by Cliff White at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)