A Trip to India. Some four months ago, Courtney, Damien, Tyler, three of my grandchildren and myself, made a visit to Chennai, India. There we were met by Jacob and Jackie, former missionaries of Mount Nasura. They took us to their home and we met Gerrit the oldest 19 and second son Ian Calvin 16. Gerrit is studying 3rd year medicine, and Calvin is year 12. Although not our missionary anymore, God did not leave the work in India. In fact great things have happened and are still happening. Br Jacobs had a deep desire to set up a theological college in India qualifying many teachers and preachers to go and bring the wonderful message of Grace and deliverance from Sin and bondage to many. Although sadly, contact with Australia stopped, God opened other doors. He connected br Jacob, now Dr Jacob with a very successful businessman from the Nederlands who God had blessed greatly. He was man of faith and knew rightly that ALL he owned was the Lords. Among many other Godly ministries, he also supported Br Jacob to qualify for the doctorate needed to open a theological college. This took 2 years or so in South Africa until his professor was confronted with a gunshot, consequently making him decide to go back to the States, leaving Br Jacob with what to do and where to go? His sponsor suggested he come to Holland and live with him to finish the course. So sister Jackie and boys went back to India while Br. Jacob went to the Nederlands to study. This was a separation of no less than 2 years. Br Jacob studied very hard and cut down the length of time, to be back together with wife and boys again. God blessed the work and Jacob graduated. And so the Calvin Theological college of India could be born. It was in 2012 that Alby (sister in law) and myself were able to see all this, and it was amazing. The college was operating in a forsaken hospital building. There were 100 boys and girls there to study to be preachers and evangelists. The girls to be wives of the pastors, development workers, teachers in the school but definitely not as preachers. We couldnt believe what our eyes revealed to us. Godly boys and girls being taught by sincere Godly teachers. I remember as the principle was showing us around, we walked into one of the teachers office only to quietly back out as he was praying. Sunday the chapel was full of boys on the left and girls on the right all very neatly dressed. It was awesome to experience. Our Great God is busy everywhere. Due to less fortunate financial circumstances of the sponsor brother, the college has been moved to Hyderabad, a City located 700 kms of Noth of Chennai. Where there is a orphanage and school erected by this same brother. Before I go into that, I would like to share that the church group started by brother Jacob in Chennai while with the church of Mount Nasura, was very successfully kept under the leadership of the elders at the time of br Jacobs absence. He was in constant contact with them. In fact it had grown and also made the brothers grow in leadership. We have fond memories of attending the services in 2012 and could witness it again this July. Beautiful to see people of God all over His great world. The youth of the church is also involved in after-school education. It is done in a wonderful way. Initially they go to the homes in the poor villages, and ask the parents if they would want extra tuition for the children. Most of them agree as the standard in these poor villages is not very high at all, as the best teaches go to more prominent cities. The children are then taught Maths and English but also scripture. Both times we were there, we were invited to three different villages. The children would then demonstrate proudly to us what they have learnt . They would be put in teams and one would ask a catechism question, while the other would rattle of the answer. All in the English language. It would be any minister’s dream to have such students. This is all put in place by Jacob and he is very, very thankful to Mnt Nasura for the time spent with them. Jacob expresses this often. Many times the parents are looking through the window to see what is happening in these classes. Besides their grades at school improving lots, their behaviour at home is also changing for the better, due to the Christian influence. This gives the leaders a opportunity to speak with the parents. They then invite and offer them to a Bible study night. When this grows and interest is shown, another little congregation is formed in the township. And so it goes on. Unfortunately due to the economic downturn and availability of funds, some of these after-school programs had to be stopped. Although they only cost two dollars per child a week. So now back to Hyderabad . As said before there is a orphanage and a school. There are 500 children in the orphanage , these children come from very poor homes and backgrounds or sometimes no home or parents. They have never had education, therefore they are the first generation that have the blessing of education. Also 500 come in daily, so approximately 1000 total. Its amazing to see, it gives you goosebumps. They come in with a little red dot on their forehead, as Hindus, and go out with Jesus in their heart. Its amazing. Its a awesome ministry. So many little hearts to fill with hope of salvation in Christ. While daily their often tiny bodies are dressed simple, but neatly, and their hungry little tummies are given three meals a day. This is foreign for some, for many. Jacob pointed out one of the boys, who didnt want to go home in the holidays, when asked why not? he said no food at home. This is not unusual he is not the only one that stays put in the campus during vacation time. We were welcomed to the classes to look and listen and were asked to share our lives and stories. It struck me that a lot of their requests were action songs etc. Another reminder of different cultural ways of learning. The children work hard, there is a very good disciplinary and structural system in the school and orphanage. Because of this, the school has had high standards in education, consequently, having a big demand for people wanting to enroll their children in the school. You might think, what is this all got to do with the college? Well the theological college is on the same campus. And theological students go into the schools and teach what they have been taught. The students of theology take the catechism and Bible lesion to these school children. Practical work experience in action. With a double fold blessing. Although brother Jacobs dream was to have the theological college, he now has the added benefit of the school and orphanage reaping the fruits of what is taught in Calvin College. However due to the sponsors reduction in funds, he suggested to brother Jacob that he would have to close the school and orphanage. This was and is very very disturbing to all. He has closed many of his ministries all around the world. But his great desire was to keep the Calvin theological school going. Brother Jacob could not sleep and says he would find this hard to bear and have on his conscience to put 500 children back on the street. So after many sleepless nights and much prayer he came up with the idea of tapping into the many requests for students to come to school from wealthier families. This would require two extra buildings initially. These paying students would then be able to support the school and the theological college which would make the school self-sufficient in the near future. There are still many fond memories and many things to tell. Br Jacob hopes to come and spend some time here early December. Perhaps you can ask him personally as we have arranged a evening for presentation and discussion. Thursday 11th December 2014 8 pm Armadale Church meeting room For more info call 0447 877 603 0416 312 933 Ps: If you are thinking of a break away, go to Hyderabad. Besides doing the school and students a favour, it will have a very positive result on your soul. The flight is very reasonable and there is very cheap accommodation on campus. A great idea for some of our teachers, or anybody for that matter, to contribute some of their time and talents. They would welcome you with open arms.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:57:40 +0000