An interview with the ministry of "Impact India" in India  

What is the nature of your ministry with children? Please describe how your role as a global worker in this location was needed. 

To answer this question, I have to go back to 2002 when Prasad arrived back in India after being away for many years. He found almost 20 children living with his elderly parents because they had nowhere else to go. They were all sleeping in one room, and this was not a healthy long-term solution. Since Prasad had felt a renewed call on his life from God, seeing this inspired him to do something. God placed in our hearts dream to go to India and to help children. We felt that the children needed a safe place to stay, room to play and grow. We founded an orphanage, Hope for the Children, it became that safe space. Now we have adapted to a foster-care system, where children are part of the community, but we host an afterschool program that provides help with homework, a safe space to play and learn while teaching them about the love of Jesus.   

Are children there responsive the Gospel? If so, why? 

Yes, they are! They love to hear Bible stories and learn about Jesus. The Christianity is very different from Hinduism Christianity talks about love and acceptance. Hinduism talks about separation and living in fear of their gods. .

What difference are you seeing in the lives of children as a result of your ministry? Please share a testimony

One story is about a little boy named Vishal. When Vishal was nine, he was living at home with his parents and his older sister. His father worked as an auto driver, and his mom stayed at home and took care of the children. His father, suffering from depression because of debt and family problems, decided one day to end his life by jumping off a bridge. Just a few weeks, later distraught over the loss of her husband and the pressures of life, Vishal’s mother hung herself from a ceiling fan.

After his parents had died, Vishal and his sister went to live with his maternal grandparents. His grandparents were angry about what had happened and the new burden of responsibility, they took their anger out on Vishal beating him terribly. They blamed him for the death of his parents and told him every day that it was his fault that his parents had killed themselves. They told Vishal that he had brought a curse on their family. They began to neglect him, making him stay outside for extended periods of time and not feeding him.

A friend approached us about Vishal and for some time he lived at Hope for the Children. There Vishal learned about Jesus and his love. He realized things, like stealing and lying, were wrong. He grew in his faith and began to read the Bible and enjoy Sunday school. He asked Jesus into his heart.  Vishal now lives with his aunt and uncle who care for him. He is a different boy because of God’s love.

Children are learning about and receiving love. They are doing better in school and getting nutritious snacks making them healthier. 

What can the Canadian church do to help partner with you?

You can support our ministry by becoming a monthly donor, or you can become a child sponsor through ERDO’s ChildCARE Plus program. You can also pray for India and our family.

What are the greatest challenges/obstacles in reaching children?

There is a change in India where the people are becoming less accepting of Christians. There is also fear among parents that our primary goal will not be to help them but to convert them to Christianity in a forceful way

 How can we pray for you and your ministry?

Pray that all of our children will be sponsored and that we will be able to expand the afterschool program into more churches.