Heavy rains did not stop GFA field workers and Bible college students in Delhi from holding a brief flag-raising ceremony the morning of India’s Independence Day celebration, August 15. |
On Saturday, August 15, many Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries, Bible college students and staff celebrated India’s 63rd Independence Day by rolling up their sleeves and serving, giving their day to help their local communities. These acts of service drew the attention of thousands of people throughout the nation.
Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, a GFA leader hoisted India’s national flag during a ceremony at 7:30 a.m. GFA Bible college students and staff joined him in stretching their hands out toward a map of India as they prayed that all of their nation would personally experience Christ’s redemptive love.
Delhi
Heavy rains didn’t dampen the desire of Delhi’s Christians to celebrate and serve. They started the day with a flag-raising ceremony. Then six teams of students and GFA staff initiated a community cleaning day in a nearby village where large amounts of litter lay scattered along the roadside and at bus stops. They started at a bus stop almost completely overgrown with weeds. They drew the attention of curious onlookers in the village, who were surprised to learn they were doing this cleaning for them at no cost.
As they served their community by giving out pure drinking water, GFA-supported missionaries in Delhi also had the opportunity to share about the One who is the Living Water. |
The students also scattered powdered bleach along roadsides and in ditches in order to kill harmful germs. They also took the time to pull weeds and clean common public meeting places. Through these efforts they hoped to create an awareness of the dangers of pollution and other disease-spreading hazards.
Later, a GFA Women’s Fellowship team joined in to distribute drinking water in a poor settlement. There was also an opportunity to share the Gospel, along with tips for the people on cleanliness, health and hygiene.
“In a nutshell, we can say that the highlight of the whole program was the time that the whole college body was involved in cleaning the community and passing on an awareness of health and hygiene to the villagers,” reports a GFA field correspondent. “We look forward to similar opportunities in the future to prove our worth as society-building loyal citizens who are interested in the progress of the nation.”
Authorities at this police station in Himachal Pradesh were so happy the GFA teams had come to clean around their building that they even provided them with additional cleaning tools. |
Himachal Pradesh
Pouring rain didn’t stop GFA workers and Bible college students in Himachal Pradesh from holding an early morning ceremony to celebrate Independence Day. The program started at 7 a.m. with a word of prayer, a hymn and a Scripture reading. The chief manager of a financial institution in India was given the honor of being the chief guest at the occasion. He hoisted the Indian flag and gave a speech. The ceremony also included a song, a cultural dance and a word of prayer at the end.
Then Bible college students, staff and a GFA Women’s Fellowship team divided into two groups. One group went to clean the local police station. The police authorities were so happy to see the team that they even provided them with some additional cleaning tools.
The other group visited a nearby bus stop. Passengers and shopkeepers were so happy to see the team cleaning the area that some even joined them. “Although it was a rainy day, both teams did their best,” reports a GFA field correspondent. “It was a pleasant day to serve the nation.”
The teams bravely tackled areas in desperate need of cleaning, such as this one in Gujarat. |
Sikkim
People in an area of northeast Sikkim were blessed by a group of GFA office staff and Bible college students who celebrated the holiday by cleaning around a hospital complex and local factory.
Gujarat
GFA-supported Bible college staff, their families and students in Gujarat also worked together to serve their communities on Independence Day, cleaning a bus stop area and a number of streets. People in the local community, including the bus stop personnel, expressed appreciation for their efforts.
A Bridge of Hope center in the state conducted a social awareness rally. Bridge of Hope staff, children and their parents participated, as well about 30 local individuals who decided to join in. The village leader was the chief guest for the occasion. The Bridge of Hope students were presented with gifts.
Uttar Pradesh
A GFA team in Uttar Pradesh celebrated Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony, then divided into groups to do some cleaning in the community. One group went to the local police station and fire station. They cleaned the premises and planted some saplings.
It wasn’t all hard work! These children were playing a game of musical chairs at a GFA Independence Day celebration in Jharkhand. |
The police and fire station personnel responded to their work with heartfelt appreciation and served tea to the team members.
“They were very happy and excited to see our work for the welfare of the society,” reports a GFA correspondent.
The second group went to clean in a nearby community. People were happy to see them there helping out, and they encouraged team members by providing additional cleaning materials.
The third group cleaned a public park.
“Seeing this, the people there expressed their gratitude because it had been left unclean for many months, and the children were unable to play,” the correspondent reports. “Now this park is very clean, and the children are playing very happily.”
Adults took part in the games, too! |
Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, the celebration started a day early on August 14 as GFA Bible college students and staff helped spruce up around a government hospital and police station. It had been raining since the previous evening and rains continued to come down, but the group turned to the Lord and was not discouraged.
“To our surprise, when we reached the spot, the rain stopped,” said Victor, one participant. “We started our work gladly.”
They started at 10:30 in the morning and finished around 2 p.m., removing tall grass and bushes.
The team’s efforts drew the attention of many of the local people.
“Those who were walking by stood for a moment and watched our work in total amazement,” Victor recalls. “At the same time, many people praised God and also the work we were doing. The superintendent of the hospital was very pleased with our work. He gave us candy and assured his help for us in every way possible.”
Students spruce up an area in Jharkhand on India’s Independence Day. |
The leader at the police station also gave the group candy and told the students and staff that only a committed Christian organization would do this kind of development work in the society, assuring them of his cooperation with them in any situation.
The next morning, August 15, the group reconvened, including staff families, for a special ceremony. They invited a political leader to take part as chief guest. There was prayer, a welcome and some songs for the group to sing. Then their chief guest raised India’s national flag and addressed the audience with a challenging message about people who loved freedom in their country. After the ceremony, there were various sports and games on site, as well as a fellowship lunch to celebrate the holiday.
Haryana
In Haryana, GFA-supported workers held a special program they invited the head of a village to participate in as their chief guest, raising India’s flag. The village head then gave a speech, encouraging the group in their love for their country.
Then a GFA leader briefly shared how they are reaching out to the nation through Jesus Wells, Bridge of Hope and Christmas gift distribution. He ended the program with prayer, and then the team went to clean the local police station.
GFA team members in Haryana cheerfully cleaned toilets at a police station. |
They had requested permission from the authorities the day before, and it was gladly granted! The team cleaned and mopped the police office, cleaned the bathrooms—including toilets—and cleaned the kitchen, washing the pots and pans.
They also pulled the weeds outside and planted some grass in front of the station.
“As he saw our work, the officer in-charge of the police station really appreciated us,” a correspondent reports. “This program was a great blessing for all of us.”
By God’s grace, the program proved successful in all of the communities where GFA teams reached out in tangible ways in Jesus’ name.
GFA leaders ask for prayer for all those who were touched by the missionaries’, students’ and staff’s acts of service that day, that they will soon personally experience the redemptive love of the One whose love compelled the teams’ kindness.