Happiness Home Beginnings

The concept of Happiness Home began in 2007 when Bro. Rama was visiting someone in the local hospital in Churachandpur.  There he learned of a young mother and child with HIV/AIDS from Burma who were being released but had nowhere to stay.  She needed to remain in the area in order to have access to medical treatment to stay alive.  Bro. Rama offered the lady and her child a tiny mud hut to live in.  Word spread at the hospital that Bro. Rama was willing to shelter people with HIV/AIDS so people started going to him for help.  He soon needed a bigger place.  Bro. Rama knew the perfect place but the owner would not sell the property to him.  Bro. Rama prayed, and three years later, the man agreed to sell the property to him.  Not only did the man sell his property to Bro. Rama but the neighbor agreed to sell his too.  Thus, Happiness Home began.

There are several buildings on the small campus, each housing several families.  Each family is self-supportive as much as their health condition allows.  Many work jobs in the local city, such as construction, rice paddy fields, etc.  Others work on campus by doing contract work for local businesses, such as weaving.  There is a very strong work ethic among the people of Happiness Home.  Each family desires to contribute to the overall management of the home and they make every effort to do so.

In 2009, Agape School was started within Happiness Home to provide education to the children since they could not attend the local schools due to some of them being infected with HIV/AIDS.  The school is ran by local volunteers who teach the children.  They study many subjects including geography, music, science, history, math and English.  The children are placed in a class according to their skill level where they learn at their own pace and then advance to the next class level once they have mastered their current class level.  The classes are small and the children are often given one-on-one attention throughout the day.

I interviewed three children today.  In the beginning, I attempted to stay away from the subject of school because in America the children do not like to talk about school.  It's a boring subject to them.  Surprisingly, I discovered that school is a hot topic for the children of Happiness Home.  They LOVE school!  These children are from Burma which had a poor educational system.  They always dreamed of going to a school where they could wear uniforms and have their very own pencil and paper.  (A local school donated used uniforms to Agape School; school supplies and teaching materials were donated from other sources.)  So, when they moved to Happiness Home and started attending Agape School, it was like a dream come true for them.

Currently, Happiness Home has 78 residents with new people entering the home on a regular basis.


One of the men working hard on a weaving machine.



All the children lining up for morning devotion.



Children starting the school day with worship.



Small class size allows for individualized teaching.



The Kindergarten Class is located outside.



School was a little too much for this young lady.



Manipur, India

Yesterday, our plane landed safely in Imphal, Manipur. Security was tight at the small airport with armed soldiers everywhere. We were asked a lot of questions at the processing desk. Although the Protected Area Permit restriction had been temporarily lifted, apparently they were still collecting the information. Luckily, I had brought along a copy of the permit application. It satisfied them and we were able to proceed.

Bro. Rama's son met us at the airport. We then traveled by car for about an hour to Churachandpur where Happiness Home is located.  The drive was mostly rural and scenic with mountains in the near distance and small cities dotted along the way. Although the route was noisy, chaotic, and VERY bumpy, the pace of life in Manipur was significantly slower than Delhi's.

Lori and I were both overwhelmed by the welcome we received upon our arrival at Happiness Home.  All 78 people were waiting for us at the entrance, each one shaking our hands and welcoming us to their home with a smile and a slight bow of the head.  Even the babies were shaking our hands!  Again, it was an emotional moment for both of us, totally unexpected.

After eating a delicious meal prepared by Jacob, we were taken to our hotel.  It was a nice new hotel and the best in the city, although it was still a far cry from the Motel 6.  :)  We had a lovely view of the city...and the city had a lovely view of us.  See the picture below to see how we creatively solved this dilemna.  Don't let the pictures of the city fool you though...inside some of those dusty looking buildings were nicely decorated homes.

We are eager to begin our Happiness Home assignments tomorrow.  Lori will be teaching the children in the on-site school.  I will be interviewing adults and children to obtain their biographical information.  We can hardly wait!



Happiness Home children...a small portion of the crowd that greeted us!



A view from the Venus Hotel balcony.



Another view of the city.



A box of Corn Flakes kept the neighbors from peeking into our bathroom window.



Lori and I with Bro. Rama's family.

Posing with more of Bro. Rama's family.

Taj Mahal

We spent all day Thursday at Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.  Enjoy the slideshow.

Sights and People of Delhi

Here is a hodgepodge slideshow of the sights and people of Delhi.  Enjoy!

Sightseeing

Some of the Bible college students and I went sightseeing at Tughlaqabad Fort and Qutub Minar Tower in Delhi on Saturday.  Enjoy the slideshow.

Beggar Children

After my spontaneous photo shoot with the boys during the sightseeing trip, this is what greeted me at the end of the bridge-way leading out of the tomb area.  No, this was not my first exposure to beggar children.  It was, however, my first realization of beggar children's lifestyle.  They live, usually in tents, near famous landmarks or busy intersections.  They do not attend school.  They work all their young lives as beggars.  Many times they work without adult supervision.  Some of the children are abducted from their families, taken to a different city to work as professional beggars for organized crime groups.  Child begging is a very complex and troublesome problem in India.


Beggar children greeting us.

Beggar children.



This child was all alone.

One of the many tents.

A boy standing outside his tent home surrounded by statues of Hindu gods.

 

A closeup view of one of the Hindu god statues.



Spontaneous Photo Shoot

We went sightseeing today.  Although the historic sights were interesting, I found the people to be more so.  At one point we were just goofing off taking pictures.  In the distance a group of boys were sitting in the grass.  One of the boys broke away from the group and came over to where we were.  He came so close to me I dared to take his picture.  When he saw what I was doing, he posed.  I was so delighted!!  His picture was perfect!  What happened next took me totally by surprise yet it created one of those rare spontaneous interactions I will never forget.  The young boy returned with all of his buddies and they hammed it up for me while I snapped picture after picture.  I laughed, they laughed...a joyous time for all of us until it was time for me to leave.  One boy would not join the group but he wanted his picture taken too.  So I took his alone.  He was so proud as I took his picture.  I will never ever forget this experience!

A perfect picture!

Hamming it up with his buddies.

Still hamming it up!

They didn't want the fun to end.  Neither did I.

The shy but proud boy.

A Typical Day

I know...you're begging for pictures and deep introspective thoughts in this blog. Well, it's not happening. Let me share with you my typical day right now. I am staying at Scism Christian University in Delhi. The students, which happens to be all male this year, are finishing up week one of a two-week Masters program. Classes start at 7:15A and end at 9:30P each day. My office/bedroom is right outside their classroom. I love the fact that I walk a few steps and I'm at work. No traffic jams or wild taxi rides. :)

The college has a huge and fascinating library of books and videos. I am entering these into a spreadsheet so they will have a record of their collection. I will also be streamlining or linking their academic transcripts so that the marks (grades) will only have to be entered once instead of multiple times. Bro. Thangboi, office secretary, IT person and business haggler has done a great job as secretary. (By the way, THANKS to all of you who made the used laptop possible. The joy on Bro. Thangboi's face when he saw it was worth it all!)

Meals are served at the college; I eat breakfast and dinner there. The master chef, Gopal, delivers my meal to me on a silver platter. He must think I need fattened up because he piles the rice high on my plate. Every afternoon at 4:00P, he brings me hot Chai tea. I was pleasantly surprised one day when I wandered into the kitchen while Gopal was cooking. Until that moment, I was unaware of how my meals were prepared. He smiled at me (he does not speak English) as I watched him cook.

The students break from 12:30P to 4:30P. This is the highlight of my day because Bro. Scism walks to the nearby shopping districts for lunch and I get to tag along. I love the walks through the chaotic, yet vibrant life of Delhi people while listening to a mini-lesson on Indian culture along the way. The food is great and I've eaten several different dishes with no disappointments.

I promise to write more interesting blogs with exciting pictures in the near future.

Me at work in the office.

Bro. Thangboi, secretary, IT person and haggler expert.

Bro. Thangboi playing with the new laptop.

A smiling Gopal preparing a meal.

Afternoon Chai tea.  Note the empty cup.

One of the many shops on my daily walks during lunch.

First Day in Delhi

I spent the first day sleeping until almost noon.  Then, it was a wild taxi ride to downtown Delhi where we (Bro. Scism, Bro. Thangboi and I) ate at a real Indian restaurant.  I must admit, I actually like Indian food.  I've learned to eat with no utensils.  I haven't quite mastered the "right hand only" trick yet.  I still use the left hand to push the food into the right hand for eating.  Don't worry, they give you a bowl of warm water afterward to wash your fingers.

Next, we went to a shopping area to haggle for the best money exchange rate.  This was indeed a wild and fun experience!  We checked out the exchange rate of two different vendors, haggling with one of them, before heading into a mens' clothing store.  I was not following the logic of this at all.  Clarity and understanding came when we entered a room in the back of the store where a money exchange office was located.  Bro. Scism, Bro. Thangboi, and the owner bargained over the price of my American money.  I quietly watched in amazement and amusement.  We agreed on an exchange rate and I pulled out my money.  When the owner saw twenty dollar bills instead of one hundred dollar bills he lowered the rate he originally quoted me.  I stood up to leave.  Obviously, it was a smart move on my part because he honored the original quote and exchanged my money.  "My momma told me you better shop around."

Delhi is chaotic and noisy, yet vibrant and full of life.  Take the traffic for example.  People drive on the left side of the road (although that's not the reason it's chaotic.)  There are boundaries, such as painted lines and sidewalks, but people ignore them.  Buses, taxis, cars, bicycles, people and dogs (I haven't seen a cow yet) share the same road.  It is mass confusion with seemingly no order, yet amazingly there are no accidents.  I asked aloud how this could be.  Bro. Scism told me the rule is simple, if you don't want to get hit you yield to the other vehicle.  Hmmmm...seems like there is a life lesson in that concept.

A Delhi Taxi

A REAL Indian Restaurant

Warm lime water to wash your fingers

 

10,000 Rupees

The Best!

I made it safely to Delhi.  Although the plane arrived at 11:30P, I did not get out of the airport until 1:30A.  Service moves very slowly in India.  It was also a confusing process for this first-time international traveler.  I still don't know if it really was confusing or if it was because it was my first experience entering into a new country.  Either way, I could not have done it without my new Indian friend, Preet.  He, his grandmother and I were seated together on the flight from Amsterdam to Delhi.  He was a kind person, a very good conversationalist, and certainly made the long flight more enjoyable.  The best part was his assistance in getting me through immigration, baggage, and customs.  We received expedited service due to his grandmother's feeble body, cutting the wait time by three-fourths.  Just think, I might still be wandering around the Delhi airport or waiting in one of those long lines without Preet.

I was not surprised by Preet's presence though. I prayed specifically that God would send me good seat mates on the flights to India.  He sent me the best!

A Lifetime Friend

The journey to India begins in less than two days.  I could have never made it this far in the journey called life without some very important people.  Just as the popular poem below states, some people come into your life for a reason, others for a season, and some for a lifetime.  I have numerous people in my life who fit into the first two categories; I could fill pages upon pages with their names and their personal influences upon me.  Each one is invaluable and special to me.

The most influential person in my life and who has been with me for what seems like a lifetime, is my friend Doris.  We met and became friends in 1982 in Alabama for a short time before she moved back to her home state of Louisiana.  Somehow, we managed to maintain a long-distance friendship over the years.  Her unconditional love was a balm of healing to my wounded soul.  Her words of encouragement kept my spiritual dreams alive even when circumstances seemed to suggest otherwise.  Her prayers changed my spiritual destiny.  When I think of my friend Doris, I think of the scripture in John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  She literally laid down her life for me by spending days in travailing prayer on my behalf.  I am who I am today in God because of her powerful prayers.  This journey would not have been possible without Doris.  My desire is to become a lifetime friend to someone else in this journey called life and to influence someone else's spiritual destiny the way Doris has shaped mine.

The journey's gonna be a good one!!!

Reason, Season, or Lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown

Vani Marshall's Testimony

This video contains Vani Marshall's powerful testimony.  Vani has personally influenced and impacted my life in a dynamic way.  I'm so glad God allowed our paths to cross!

Scism Christian University

Missionary Stanley Scism posted the following information on his Facebook page about the students of Scism Christian University (SCU), the Bible college I will be visiting in Delhi.  I have enjoyed reading about the students and praying for them.

Lerhlunthang 'Lera' is a third-year student and is student body president. He's also married.  He's also his local church's youth president.  Between college years, he worked on his farm, supported his family, helped the youth raise funds.  He's a good man.  He'll graduate February 12.

Gogou Kipgen is a third-year student, and dean of students.  Between last college year and this one, he worked on a masters degree in political science, then helped his dad's work on a contract to build an excise station.  Then he travelled with his family to southern part of Manipur where, as a result of his dad's and step-mom's witnessing, six people were baptized in Jesus name.

Subrat Singh is a third-year student and is the college librarian.  Between his second college year and the present one, he kept witnessing to people back home about Jesus Christ.  One of his friends, for friendship's sake only, would listen to him, yet refuse to be baptized, but finally agreed--an answer to Subrat's prayer. Subrat is on Facebook, and will graduate February 12.

Benjamin Kima is a third-year student.  Between last year college year and this one, he taught adult Sunday school class in his home church, and he also spoke in his church and to the youth group.  His grandfather passed away last summer, and Benjamin has this testimony.  His grandfather, when he received the Spirit, was unconscious for a week.  When he came to, the local people had run out of kerosene for their Petromax light and needed light.  He commanded the light in Jesus name to shine, and it did--without oil.  They praised God the whole night.  This man prayed at least ten times a day.  He taught Benjamin about God's Word and suggested he come to SCU.  Benjamin will graduate February 12.

Santhosh is a second-year student and an experienced pastor for seven years in Chikmagalur.  He and other pastors were beaten by radical Hindus in Karnataka state.  Then the police, as often happens in India, out of fear sided with the mob, with the result that the pastors were also jailed.  But the persecution united the Christians, and the church is growing--Santhosh's church has four new families, including one that used to persecute the church.  Now Santhosh has transferred to Mysore city to start a church there.

Kalpana Karen Rai, a second-year student, has no church where she lives in Bhutan, so by invitation she taught Sunday school in another church.  Meanwhile, an aunt suffered severe pain, so Karen cried out to God, 'You must heal her so that other people can know you.'  'Next morning, she was healed completely.' Please pray for Karen's family, there in Bhutan, to come to Jesus Christ.

Kanchan Kumari, a second-year student, between last school year and this one went home where hers is the only Christian one in her village in Bihar.  The nearest church building is far away, so they go twice monthly and in alternative weeks have church at home.  They reach illiterate people whose only way of receiving the Word is through preaching.  Kanchan is a good lady and witness.

Rahul Raju is a first-year student.  When his grandmother was ill and specialists' medicine could do nothing, an uncle (an apostolic believer in Jesus Christ) came, said, 'Jesus will heal.  We must arrange three days of fasting and prayer.'  During that fasting-and-prayer God revealed the illness' nature.  She was healed, 'salvation came to my home.  My parents believed in Jesus, were baptized and received the Holy Spirit.'  When Rahul was 2, he faced an illness when his family thought he'd die and his mother prayed, 'Jesus, if you give him back, he will be a worker in your harvest field.'  Now he's studying for ministry.

Kabita Rose Chhetri is a first-year student.  She grew up in a Hindu family, went to a convent school, 'was really inspired and influenced by Christianity and wanted to be a Christian since my childhood'.  When she was 9, her family's whole house was washed away by a flood, a great tragedy because 'my father's hard earning and struggle' had been eliminated.  No one helped them, 'nobody came to our aid' except the nuns, who brought Rose and her sister into the hostel, where they then stayed for a few years.  Therefore, her parents felt Christianity is much better than Hinduism, and they became Christians when she was 10.  But she still was not satisfied, had many questions, searched for joy, felt terribly depressed.  She read some books, still didn't find answers she sought.  In early 2010, she started reading the Bible, and there starting finding answers to her questions.  Meanwhile, SCU graduate Pema introduced her to God's Oneness and supported her to come to SCU.  She wants to win many people to Christ.

Lucky Mangrati is a first-year student.  She grew up in a Hindu family.  After she started school and also attended Sunday school, she finally at age 10 wanted to go to church, but her mother forbade her until a few days later her neighbors witnessed to her.  Then she told Lucky 'We have to go to church because we have to know who Jesus Christ is', and Lucky was happy.  Soon after, they came to Christ and were baptized in Jesus name.  When her father came back home on leave from the army, he happily joined them.  The next year, Lucky received Holy Spirit baptism.  Now she's really lucky and says, 'I thank God for mercy in my life.  After my graduation, I want to do God's ministry.'

Robert is a first-year student.  He was born in a Pentecostal family, used to hang out with boys who encouraged truancy.  After matriculation (graduation from tenth grade), he ran away from home, but a friend asked him to attend a revival crusade.  There, Robert received the Spirit, and after that began to accompany ministers in their evangelism, 'all because of my parents' consistent prayer and the goodness of God'.  And now he's at SCU to study to become a minister.