Colette's India Update

Namaste!  India was an amazing journey for me.  I feel like God stripped me to my bare soul and all my thoughts are new.  Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and into a different environment to really see what life is all about.  The people of India are so beautiful.  Their open and humble spirit is so much a part of their culture.  I was always greeted with warmth and kindness.

Seeing the dire poverty firsthand put the reason for this trip into perspective.  We went to India to meet needs that were spiritual, emotional and physical.  We met spiritual needs hosting a three day womens conference. We preached, encouraged, served communion and showed them love and freedom that is found in following Christ.  We met emotional needs by hugs, smiles, and gentle touches. Prayer was given to any who asked. Though there was a language barrier the power of touch speaks what the heart feels.  We met physical needs as food was distributed at two mercy camps, two leper camps, the conference and funds purchased five water wells bringing fresh water to villages.

Harvest India is an amazing organization that meets so many needs of the people.  I experinced how a small amount of money can accomplish great things when given to further God's kingdom.

Blessings,

Colette

Mary Beth's Blog

It has been an amazing few days. I confess I was a bit nervous right before we left- mostly about the 30 hour travel time! But we all survived, and the time actually went by fairly quickly. It was a great time of reunion with Sue and Collette, and of getting to know the other team members as well. (One of us watched 5 movies on the plane – I won’t tell who) Since we’ve arrived it’s been one wonderful experience after another.The Kumars and the staff are so welcoming and accommodating.We are very busy every day. I am most impressed by the fact that Harvest India touches so many practical needs in the community but also is heavily invested in educating the Deleit people, in particular the girls. We have toured a school, toured the college that is being built for 600 women, and attended a graduation celebration for the nursing students, that included wonderful dance performance.And much , much more! I loved our visit with the elders. There were about 15 living in a 2 room house. We asked them to pray for us and for God to move .What an outpouring!It was amazing! So much to share!  God is blessing us and our mission.  Please continue to pray for God’s favor here in Tenali.

Love you!  Mary Beth

Conference Highlights From Marlyn

Conference Points to Ponder:

The experience was far too magnificent to capture in a posting. Here are some highlights, in no particular order, Dancing with our Gypsy sisters which I would love to discuss in detail when I get home.

The Gypsy woman kissing my feet

Dancing with our Gypsy sisters

Women laying hands on one another in prayer as we modeled praying for one another

HI Leader men following our model as well Swaroop and Daniel

Carli, an American resident, being blessed by American worship/teachings

Muslim newlyweds coming forward at altar call and surrendering their lives to follow Jesus

Non Christian nursing students coming and hearing the name of Jesus for the first time and wanting to know more

Volume of women growing daily, hourly. Moving their in chairs closer each day

Sues 840 glow sticks from Michaels

Nails bought by the pound

Communion/fasting/tears

Annoiting

Praying against the fear of the impending cyclone

Weather wind/rain

Names of Jesus worksheet

Indian Sisters following in God’s Word with us

Singing Sadaa ka la mu, Yea Sa ya together

Marlyn's Moses

His Amazing Grace

We are experiencing God’s presence over and over again

Marlyn’s Moses –our team visited the HIV /Aids Hospital where her dear friend, Dr Kishore, works tirelessly serving God’s afflicted in India. Our team visited each patient and shared the picture books made from the calendars our friends had donated. Our hope is that these simple pictures will help to fill the long hours. Marlyn met one very special man, Moses. He was very weak and sad as he laid with an IV flowing in his arm. Sharing the book, Marlyn told him about the pictures of God’s creation. She told him he too was God’s creation, and in fact God’s masterpiece. She could see he was struggling to breathe and ask if he’d like prayer, with a gentle nod from Moses, she laid her hand on his chest, reached up to heaven and began to pray for healing and claimed this precious soul for God’s kingdom.  When she looked up into Moses big brown eyes, she felt God call her to lean over and kiss his forehead. In obedience, and against all cultural rules of India, she put the kiss of Christ on Moses. His countenance instantly changed. His face filled with tears and he began to speak uncontrollably in Telegu. The interpreter told Marlyn this man had just received Christ and that Moses said “This kiss was only thing I needed” Humbled, blessed to be a blessing.  .

Miranda shares her journey

2 days ago the lord opened me to new wonders. The children at the well I dedicated laughed and smiled as they threw yellow flowers at us. When I would dance with the children their faces filled with joy. When I cut the ribbon to the well there was a roar of cheer. Although there were only about 100 people, the cheers sounded like that of thousands. The orphanage was a great blessing for me. The children were so happy and their hearts gave me joy. They were a family for each other. When Marlyn said they had a young person speaking to then the room got even happier. The next day was spiritually impacting on my heart. We traveled to the AIDs hospice and there were two young girls. When I first walked in they were unhappy and filled with great pain. I went an sat with them and showed them the picture pop-up book. Slowly as we talked and played with each other, they got happier and happier. We even sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. When I left I cried. I cried for them as well.

                                                                                                                             By: Miranda McCrum

Praising God for safe journey here after 30 hours travel!! Our first day of ministrt was very fulfilling and if we had to go home today the trip has already been worth the journey. We are all in good health and after a good night's rest we are on our way to worship in the new Harvest India church.

Amongst our ministries yesterday included, our first kercy camp,  a visit to DR. Kinshore's medical office, and participating in the nursing college graduation ceremony.   Please enjoythese pictures from last night and continue to pray for the glory of God's Kingdom in all we do!

Packing our Bags for India

Within 2 1/2 weeks we take off half way around the world to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in India!
So many people have stepped up to support us financially and spiritually. God has so richly blessed us through each of our donors and His constant guidance. Through your support and God's blessings our small power team of 7 will serve 500 women at the three day conference, sponsor 2 mercy camps and place 7 water wells: yes you have donated 7 wells which will save lives and bless 7 villages for years to come! Alleluia! We are also praying for the ability and the funds bless and serve the leper community.  You may not be "feet on the ground" but believe us, you are part of our team and we are taking you with us in our hearts! We will be posting pictures and updates each night and we covet your prayers along the way.

During this past 9 months we have experienced many life situations to distract us and challenge the depth of our faith, in fact, 2 of our team have faced harsh situations where they've found it necessary to step back from this years mission. Our world is buzzing with disease, inclement weather and war. But we are not afraid!  We have His promise: Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." We are totally trusting our Lord to provide whatever we need every step of the way, just as he has been faithful to do all along.

Come along with us, won't you and see what God has prepared for us to accomplish, all for His Glory!
November 6-18, 2014

Updates

On Sept 10 DOK hosting the showing of Veil of Tears. 85 guests came to support our mission and to learn more about the community of women in India. This is the closest you can get without actually traveling to India with us. An awakening of the desperate need for compassion and love was expressed and we were able to raise over $850 for the conference, which will allow 28 more women to attend. To date we have raised over $7000, our goal being $15000. If you'd like to sponsor one or more women, just send $30 per women to Hill of Hope, PO Box 428 Yorba Linda, CA 92885. This will cover her transportation, lodging/meals and conference materials. She will be empowered to go back to her village and minister to hundreds more. Thank you for your support.

Daughters of the King were invited to speak at Yorba Linda United Methodist Church Thursday September 11, and raised $ 395 toward our Women's Conference. We're approaching our goal one tender heart at a time! Thank you for your ongoing prayers.

Current Happenings

DOK held the first yard sale to assist with fundraising. Many donated and lots of people came to shop. We raised $750 to help support our mission. Thanks to everyone involved.

We had the honor of being interviewed by Pastor Frank at KCWG Truth Radio last week. You can listen to the broadcast Saturday, Sept 6, 2014 8pm.

Please join us for a night of fellowship as we show Veil of Tears; the true story of the Dalit women in India and the life she is born into. We hope to raise awareness of the plight of women in India and to gain prayer and financial support for our mission in November. Please bring a friend with you, Wednesday September 10th, 7PM, Canyon Hills Friends Church, 20400 Fairmont Connector, Yorba Linda CA, 92886.

2014 Mission Trip

Daughters of the King plan to return to India in November 2014 to serve these ladies and more.  The impact of the God-lead trip in 2012 was so great that Harvest India has asked DOK to return for an expanded purpose.  DOK have been invited to host the first Dalit Women’s Conference in Tenali.  For just $30 per woman, 3-days of lodging and food, transportation from their villages, and conference provisions will be provided.  Our  theme will be Overcoming an Orphan Spirit – when you have accepted Christ as your Savior, but do not embrace a personal relationship with Him, feeling along and insignificant. DOK’s live as heirs to the throne of Heaven, with power and authority, resulting in joy serving our loving Father. Our goal is to reach 100 women, although Harvest India is confident we can reach over 500 – limited only by the donations we receive!  In addition, we will return to continue our relationships with the Ashraya Women and Elders that began in 2012.  We will also dedicate water wells for remote villages, and host medical and mercy camps as donations and God’s provision permit. 

2012 Recap

We operate in partnership with Harvest India (HI), an India-based NGO serving the Dalit class through meeting worldly needs, followed by meeting spiritual needs.  We served in many of their ministries, i.e., dedicated 5 water wells, visited an Aides Hospital, served in a Leprosy Outreach, provided food the destitute in a Mercy Camp, assisted in a Medical Camp, visited the orphanage, visited the nursing college, and prayed for hundreds through laying on hands. We experienced God’s miracles through the Holy Spirit and we will never be the same.

"Water is the life" 

 Valuing life

Food is an answer to prayer 

Sharing the JOY of the Lord 

The future of India rests in the hands of the children

Joy of my Salvation

Sisters in Christ

2012 Mission

In October, 2012 our first mission team of 11 women traveled half way around the world to Tenali, India.  Our primary focus was to bring God’s love to the Ashraya and elder women and to instill the assurance of God’s value of each life. We accomplished this by investing time each day praying with our sisters and meeting with them regularly. We provided simple act of kindness; applying lotion and nail polish to the younger girls, providing sweaters for warmth to the elders (yes, they wear sweaters in 90 degrees; 90 degrees in India is like winter 20-30 degrees colder than their summers) and providing lounge chairs to the elders so they could get off the hard ground.   But the thing they told us they appreciated most was the time we spent with them, praying, touching and caring about their prayer needs, calling them by name. The simple things we all need to feel loved. Though investing time, touch and love to these sisters, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit, walls fell down and the unity of true Christian fellowship emerged. We were able to share God’s love, and reveal to these women the unique value and beauty they possess.  Bond of true love and compassion were so strong, tears were shed upon our departure for home. We knew we’d be coming back and God would make the way.

Marlyn’s Calling

 Upon returning home Marlyn continued to pray for these women in India. About a year after her returned from India, she felt a calling to send a team of women to India – through HI – to show the Dalit ladies what it meant to be a Daughter of the King (DOK).  Her vision was to send a team comprised entirely of women to serve and encourage the Ashraya girls and Elder women, pamper them, build relationships and pray together.  Nothing like this had even been proposed to Harvest India (HI) before… never had a team of only women come, and never had the focus been on the women, to build fellowship, to be together, united as Daughters of the King! (DOK). She wasn’t sure how it would happen or who would lead – but she continued on through prayerful team selection and preparation.  Marlyn prayed over our church directory for about 4 months, seeking names of women she should approach.  She ended up with a team of 11, and found God was calling her to  lead the team– the first DOK team met for nearly a year for prayer, relationship building in the team, and to hear God’s word for this fellowship mission.

A Spiritual Awakening

In 2008, Marlyn Brokenshire’s son John was introduced to Harvest India (HI) at Rock Harbor.  A group of young believers were planning their next trip – RH sends a mission team every year, around Christmas time.  In this particular year, John’s friends were among the group going, so John decided to go for a 3 week trip.  When the three weeks ended, John contacted Marlyn and said he was going to stay for 3 months, although he was not sure how that would be possible with the financial commitments in the US.  Of course, when we respond to God’s calling, the worldly issues have a way of working out.  John’s passion for HI grew, and his service for HI continued for 3 years, with intermittent trips home as required on his VISA. 

About half way through John’s time of service, Marlyn and her husband felt compelled to go see what had grabbed their son’s heart in such an extreme way.  Their life would never be the same.  The need was great; HI’s impact was significant.  Marlyn’s heart broke for the people of India, but in particular for two specific groups of women.

Ashraya Women:  These young ladies (teenage girls in many cases) have been rescued from prostitution in the red light district, and provided safe housing by Harvest India at the Ashraya House, including regular meals and medical care.  They are taught to sew, and provided machines and work as part of the International Princess Project.  Mission teams visit the sewing workshop to view the transformed girls as a way to encourage contributions to continue the work.  The distant expressions and lack of joy in these young girls haunted our team leader – the girls have accepted Christ as their Savior, but didn’t know how to experience the joy of being saved.  Our team leader was moved to action, to create DOK to build relationships with these sisters in Christ, and reveal the joy they can experience.

Elderly Women: These women have served their families throughout their lives, until their age or health limited their ability to contribute.  In the Dalit culture, if a family is short of resources as often happens, the elderly are tossed to the streets to save food for the younger in the house.  The elderly are left to fend for themselves, without shelter, and with a very real threat of being eaten by wild dogs in the night.  Harvest India has built numerous elder homes to provide shelter, a bed, food, and medical care for these people.  With such amazing provisions, the elders are often quick to accept Christ, and spend much of the day in prayer and expressing praise.  However, these elders  almost all women – are isolated from society, and long for relationship and affection.