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IND15 - Naya Bihani Poverty Reduction Programme: Partnership Reports



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Report Date: March 27, 2018

Report from BHW India Partnership Facilitator 

 

In January 2018 Bright Hope World ran a summit in Bangalore for all our Indian and Nepalese partners. This was an amazing time which almost every one of our partners attended. In total we had about 40 people from India and Nepal and another nine from New Zealand, England and the USA. 

We prayed this would be a time where our partners met one another (many for the first time), learned from each other, were encouraged in the Lord, and went home inspired to keep serving the Lord in their communities. The Lord answered our prayer. 

It was so encouraging, and inspiring, to listen to every partner share their ministry’s story. From those who have been serving in ministry for 30+ years, to those who have just started in the past 18 months, every story impacted this gathering of believers. 

Running the conference in Bangalore meant I couldn’t visit each of the partners in their own environment and so I am only able to provide a brief update from each of the partnerships. 

 

Pradeep and Merilo Kumar 

great to catch upPradeep and Merilo brought their son Joel to join us in Bangalore. It was great to see this family again as I have not been with them for a couple of years. Their ministry is continuing well in Darjeeling but it has not been without its share of difficulties. 

2017 was an extremely difficult year for the Kumars. Pradeep had been using a non-prescribed medication that ended up having an adverse effect on his kidneys. To cut a long story short, he was very unwell for the year and did not expect to live. As a result much of the work he and Merilo had been leading had to be left to their other co-workers in the Darjeeling church they planted. We had wondered why communication was not as frequent and wondered if the partnership was struggling. What it seems now is that Pradeep was literally struggling. Miraculously the Lord has restored Pradeep to full strength. While he looks to have lost weight, their overall passion and commitment to the work in Darjeeling appears strong. 

caring for young peopleIt was great to hear how the work in continuing to prosper and they are currently constructing a bible college. While this is not part of the partnership with Bright Hope World it may create opportunities for running other training programmes out of the facilities. 

It was really pleasing in Bangalore to see Pradeep and Merilo connect with so many of the other partners. This was our dream for the Summit and particularly for partners like the Kumars who are still relatively new to the ministry in Darjeeling. I had hoped that they would learn from others who have many more years’ experience and this has happened. Pradeep said to me on the last day that he is going to visit a number of the other partners to see their ministry in action, learn what he can, and bring back any appropriate lessons and opportunities for the environment in Darjeeling.

We are excited to continue our journey with Pradeep and Merilo as they seek the Lord for the next steps in Darjeeling. 

 

Prayer points

1) Continued strength for Pradeep as he recovers
2) Wisdom for the Kumars as they visit other Bright Hope World partners that they may have clear direction on what to do in Darjeeling