namkeen

VOLUME I, ISSUE 2

Transformed worldviews, transforming engagements for a transformed nation

The Forgotten Ones

Few Words

od has chosen all of us who believe in Him, to be salt and light in this world. So that we engage with those in need so that we ask ourselves: is there anything I can do? The kingdom has a righteous and just King. To serve Him and do His will is to get involved, take responsibility and be redemptive as Jesus is in our lives. Our mandate is to extend and bring under His loving rule all things. This will bring hope and healing to our land and to ourselves. We all are aware of how the politics of power works in a community, even in a church community to determine who is significant. This July 2011

is done even by ignoring the existence of someone. We choose not to acknowledge their existence. Then there are those we do not just choose to ignore, we just do not see them. They are invisible because they do not exist for us. I have often wondered why we treat children as though they dont exist, especially those who are fatherless and vulnerable. In the equation of power, they form the very least among us. C. S. Lewis spoke about an inner ring- the seat and centre of power. In our aspiration to find significance, many of us do everything we can to draw as close to the centre as ...continued on page 2

n mission circles these days one hears a lot of focus on the 4/14 window. To those not familiar with this term the 4-14 Window refers to the demographic group from age four to fourteen years old, which is the most open and receptive to every form of spiritual and developmental input. There is a renewed awakening of Gods call to us to radically change the way we view children and to respond to their needs and rightful place in His Kingdom. In this issue of Namkeen we are focusing on children, especially those on the margins. The Story of Rafa home by Sushila Ailawadi is a practical example of putting Jesus word into practice in the life of a church community. Learning about the ministry of Jagriti from Maheshwari is a testimony of Gods faithfulness when an individual believer responds to Gods call in taking care of the neglected and vulnerable children. There is a vast number of hidden children whom we often do not see in our churches or schools and they are the children with disability. Ashish centres engagement in this area would hopefully inspire others to take lead in responding to this great need. May the Lord help us to see something afresh from the 4/14 window. Raaj Mondol.

Forgotten Ones ...from Page 1 nobody wanted! They have already drunk deep of the they let us. In that cup that the world has mad stampede, the offered them. They have ones who get hurt are watched their parents die. the least of the least of The disease that snatched these, the powerless, the their mother and father is marginalized, the ones on present in their own system. the fringes. They are different and every When those on the fringes day their bodies and the are HIV positive then they mirror remind them of this are further marginalized, stark reality. To the normal on the fringe of the fringes. teenage turbulence is They are the forgotten added the anguish and pain ones, the worthless ones

to cover the naked, when you see them and to not hide yourself from your own flesh? We have discovered that it is in healing that we are healed, in feeding ourselves are fed. So many of us seem to have forgotten our common humanity. We have forgotten our Father who made us all and who loves us equally. He who did everything He

lies in God and the joy they have in a relationship with Him. So, though they live under the shadow of death, they also live with the certainty that God lives and that they have a destiny that they are meant to fulfill. God chooses anyone who responds to His call. What a privilege it is to be a part of His provision in the lives of those who matter so much to Him. Though not an easy task, with God all things are possible. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. As His people we are called to bring joy and peace which heals. All who have experienced His love are called to be the children of light. All creation groans and longs for us to be revealed. Our presence is meant to preserve and bring life. We have an access to the Father through relationship, to call upon Him. When we see as He sees and feel as He feels then we are ready to do the works of Jesus. This is not for a chosen few. All who believe have His Spirit who enables and empowers. We are all meant to live to serve Him. May we have hearts that the Father can touch with His love and compassion for these the forgotten ones. To be like Rafa: God, our healer.
(Sushila is married to Sanjiv Ailawadi, who pastors the New Generation Church, at Saidulajab, New Delhi. Together they serve the various community initiatives run by the church )

in our generation because they can never belong to an inner ring. Therefore they remain unseen. As a church community we have sought God to help us see. Though a small community we realize it doesnt take much to make a difference in the lives of a few. We can do what each of us is meant to do. The Rafa Home is just that. A small home, with parents and eight boys, some almost going to be young men. These boys were born with HIV, whom

of all that they experience in their bodies and minds. It is almost ludicrous to imagine that anything we say and do could bring comfort and healing. However God is good. He loves us all. Towards our own healing to become caring and compassionate He engages us to bring hope and restoration to another. Isaiah 58 tells us to share your bread with the hungry, to bring to your house the poor who are cast out

could, to bring us hope and life. The Rafa Home is an outcome of the challenge to stop marginalizing the marginalized. To do what Jesus has done for us step out of the centre and go to the fringes, to know that what we do unto the least of these, we do unto Jesus. Our boys have many struggles. But like all children they have learnt to enjoy life and discover God. They have learnt to put aside their disease and not label themselves. They have learnt that their identity

Namkeen

An Interview with The Director of Jagriti

Mrs. Maheswari, Director of Jagriti, New Delhi in conversation with Mr. P. M. Mathew from Salt Initiatives. Maheswari comes from a Hindu background. She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour in 1995, and got married in 1996. She has worked in different companies and organizations like Sahara Airlines, Export business, World Vision, India and Suganth. She began praying about her specific concern for ministry among the vulnerable children in 2002 and the Lord helped her to start Jagriti in the year 2005. agriti is a registered society for the holistic and transformational development of the poor, needy and neglected people who live in urban slum clusters and rural communities. Its current work is focused on orphan, abused and destitute girl children and women. The main objective of this society is to provide basic education, proper shelter, health care, nutritious food, love of christ to poor children so that they can experience love and care and live in the world with full dignity. There are 16 girls in the home right now, between the age of 5-12, with three other staff to look after their well being. P.M.M: What led you to start this work with the children? M: I had passion for the children especially those who suffer. Girls are not accepted well in the society and some of them are totally rejected and ignored. These children are mostly exploited and abused in their early age. I was with an organization called Suganth, working specially for the

children in the slums. Once I was in the market to have snacks (momo), I saw a girl who came to the momo stand and picked up some pieces from the dustbin and started eating which was very hard for me to bear and this incident moved me to do

something for such children. Though we were working among the children in the slums, the children used to stay in their own homes with their parents. I learnt that some of the parents were drug addicts and bar girls and the danger of children following into their

Blessing Not A Burden

the Ashish Foundation for the Differently Abled (AFDA) Charitable Trust. Geeta Mondol the Director of Ashish Centre says, In a culture where children with disabilities are seen as a burden, Ashish Centre is working actively to create a transformational paradigm shift in society and build a community that cares for the weak and vulnerable. Primarily meant for children with Autism, Ashish Centre also caters to other children on the disability radius. Through an integral approach of early intervention, the centre nurtures each childs growth and learning ability towards their God given potential, also enabling their families to be effective facilitators in the process. The centre believes that each child is created in the image of God and is created for a purpose. Each child is born with the potential to achieve that purpose. Through a program of wholistic education and support to children based upon Biblical worldview, it seeks to assist children with disabilities in supporting themselves and being fruitful members of the community so that they can be viewed as a blessing to their families and communities and not seen as burdens.

Ashish Centre, located in West Delhi is an early intervention centre for differently-abled children, run by

July 2011

An Interview...from Page 3 footsteps was very real. By seeing the situation of the children, I thought of doing something about them. I started a home for them and this particular girl who was picking food from the dustbin was the first child in my home. P.M.M.: Tell us some of the struggles you faced while setting up your work? M: There were little difficulties at the beginning, especially in supporting the children. We thank our Lord for His unfailing provision and blessing and we never face any struggle as such. At the beginning they stayed in a 3 room house that we built for these children and later on we built on a 3 storey house as the need increased. Our Lord provided whatever was needed. P.M.M.: Share some of the highlights, some positive experiences. M: There are so many positive stories of our childrens project since we started. One of our girl was a rag picker on the streets. She was the first girl at our home. She is now studying in 7th standard and she has been securing top position in her class. She even got the best student award in her school this year. Many of the children are very intelligent and they are studying in best schools in this area like St. Marys Dwarka, St. Martins, Paschim Vihar. All girls secure not less than 80% marks in their exams. Everyday they used to have

devotion time even if no one tells them . Education facilities we provide to the unpriviledged children specially in slum areas in the form of non formal school, free tution centre at Nihal Vihar , Bindapur J.J. colony bring smile on many parents, children. In this centre, we teach those children who are not going to school and help those who are studying in school. When parents see us they welcome us to their home as once they had never dreamt of their child to study but now they see the child doing well in school. They open up and are keen to listen to us and it gives us an opportunity to share the gospel. P.M.M.: How has been the response of your church? M: Our Pastor and few more dedicated people visit us to support in their prayer and encouragement. P.M.M.: Share your dreams for these children? M: I dream to make them good citizen of this nation, good follower of Christ and serve others in need. They should be a role model , helping hand to others in need. P.M.M.: How can others help and support you? M: People can help our children by teaching English speaking course, providing counseling and specially praying for them.

The Worldview of the Kingdom of God

Kingdom Lifestyle Series:

e are pleased to inform that the first booklet in a series of Bible studies focusing on Biblical worldview and the Kingdom of God is available in Hindi. It is titled Parmeshwar ke rajya ka drishtikone and is a Hindi translation of the booklet- The worldview of the Kingdom of God published by YWAM Publishing for Disciple Nations Alliance. This booklet is a very valuable resource for learning about worldview, and developing a biblical worldview to effectively engage in and impact different spheres of society. This booklet has well designed bible study with questions, personal applications and practical response to the learning. It can be used well in small groups, bible studies, youth groups or community reflection exercises. Those interested to receive a copy or multiple copies can write to us at our given address and we will send you the details on how to receive it.

Attention Readers
You can send in your contributions towards the ministry of Salt Initiatives by sending in a cheque or draft in favour of Salt Initiatives Charitable Trust, payable at New Delhi at the following address. Alternatively you can also deposit your contribution at any branch of HDFC in the following bank account and inform us the details and your address at the given e-mail address. We will send you the receipt. A/C Name: Salt Initiatives Charitable Trust A/C Number : 16711450000045; HDFC Bank, Mehrauli Branch, New Delhi.
Salt Initiatives Charitable Trust Reg: No. 5947 | #177E, Flat I-3, Jay Apartments, Ward No. 2, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110030 | saltinitiatives@gmail.com | +91-971-784-7117