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One
Girl's Dying Wish Impacts a Village for Christ
AIMS News: Posted 12/1/2004
| Pradhi
Timeline:
February
2002: Dr. Foltz, founder and president
of AIMS, trained the leadership of New Life Fellowship
church network in Mumbai, India.
February
2003: AIMS team taught Phase 1 and 2
of Equipping for the Harvest to pastors
associated with New Life Fellowship in Mumbai.
As a result, one pastor decided to adopt the Pradhi
people group - an unreached people group living
in poverty on the streets of Mumbai.
October
2003: The pastor formed several cell
groups among Pradhi living on the streets of Mumbai,
India.
February
2004: The pastor and new Pradhi believers
take the Gosepl from their area of Mumbai to a
Pradhi village on the outskirts of the city. Today,
nearly 100 Pradhi believers attend three churches
planted in their villages. |
Editor's
Note: Earlier this year, we printed a story
about a young, 8-year-old girl named "Neena,"
who lived in a slum village in Mumbai, India. Neena
was crippled, but she had incredible faith. She told
our team in February 2004, that she believed she would
walk again, because Jesus would heal her. In September,
another AIMS team went to Mumbai to administer a medical
camp in the Pradhi village and learned the rest of the
story:
"Neena"
knew her time was short. Her legs were bent, and she
had not been able to walk for months. The pain from
the sores on her stomach and legs worsened as infection
spread throughout her body. Yet, Neena was not afraid.
One
year ago, Neena was homeless. She lived with her family
on the streets of Mumbai, India, with other Pradhi people.
Then, a Christian pastor began to visit them. He told
them about the love of Jesus Christ. Many believed,
including Neena and her family. They moved into a village
within Mumbai's slum community.
Neena was grateful for the gift of peace
God had given her, but she wanted to give something
in return. She asked her parents to donate the small
plot of land they owned to build a church and a school.
After Neena died, her parents granted her request. They
donated the land and built a crude, one-room facility.
The new building became the center of
village life. During the week, it served as a badwardi,
an Indian elementary school for children under six years
old. On Sundays, believers in the village gathered for
worship. Men and women also met regularly for Bible
study and prayer. Neenaís mother often joined
other women in the village to pray all night.
In
September, an AIMS team returned to the Pradhi village
to help administer the first Mobile Medical Clinic at
the new building. Dozens of people received medical
care at the camp, and 100 people in the Pradhi village
surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ - in one day!
"Through
their fervent intercession for their community,"
said "Jeremiah" (AIMS India Coordinator),
"these Pradhi believers are now reaping a harvest
among their own peoples."
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