Christian ministry tends to needs of orphan in Orissa

Orissa, a region that is home to 50 million people, mostly tribals, is infamous for anti–Christian violence and aggressive enforcement of anti–conversion laws.

This is the state where Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were brutally murdered by Hindu fundamentalists.

Yet, this is the same state where Worldwide Christian Schools (WCS) sees hope.

According to WCS's Scott Vanderkooy, the state suffers more from poverty, illiteracy, natural disasters and religious oppression than in any other state in India and this is the very reason they have launched New Life Mission School in Kesinga district of Orissa. Their goal: Providing education for poor and orphaned children.

"There are 50 orphans that attend this school along with 38 children from the community, so a total of 83 kids from the community. Most have a Hindu background," said Vanderkooy

What makes this story remarkable is that 50 of the children live in an orphanage two and a half miles away from school. That means that every morning at 6:30 am, a ribbon of green uniforms can be seen navigating dangerous streets to school.

While that is a blessing, said Vanderkooy, it also presents a new need. Hindu leaders have come to the school administration and posed serious questions about the safety of the children on the journey to and from school. "Right now," said Vanderkooy, "there's somewhat of a tentative allowance of the Christian school from the Hindu community. They see a change in the community, they see a change in these children."

Sensing the growth in its ministry, Vanderkooy felt that a new need was also emerging. "We want to keep these kids safe because if a child were to get hurt, we're afraid the Hindu community there would turn on this school," said Vanderkooy, adding that the ministry needed a new bus. In this regard, WCS has launched a $ 34000 fundraising campaign and hopes that kindhearted people will respond generously and help the orphans learn and understand about the deep love of God.

If you'd like to help, go to: http://www.wwcs.org.