“Religion that God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” 
                                                          James 1:27 

          Tantely joined the Betikara crew two weeks before Christmas.  She’s seven years old and the size of a four year old.  She came in rags and her skin was crusted over with some sort of rash.  She didn’t even come with a pair of underpanties on. 
          She’s a very bright little girl and loved Betikara from the start.  We were amazed at how quickly she settled in.  Mom signed her over to us.  She has no husband and can’t feed Tantely. 
          No sooner did we get her washed, clothed properly, fed a couple of good nourishing meals and introduced her to the local school, when Grandma came stomping in.  She was furious with Tantely’s mother and refused to allow Tantely to stay, assuring us that she was taking good care of Tantely (even though in the same breath she admitted that 5 children in her care have died in this last year). 
          Our hands were tied and our tears started to fall when little Tantely stood firmly before Grandma with her little hands planted on her hips and tried to refuse to go with her.  Tantely wanted to stay at Betikara.  Sometimes a child is wiser than an adult. 
          We sent Tantely home with a new pair of underwear and a proper skirt to cover her little legs, but everyone at Betikara shed lots of tears knowing what Tantely was going to miss.  Not just Christmas at Betikara, but a life at Betikara learning to trust Jesus.  Pray for her, please.

Actually you’re already doing it and we send heartfelt thanks your way.  Our land fund is growing.  At this rate, we will have the Betikara lambs out of city center and into green pastures where they can romp and play outside to their hearts’ content.  They will be able to grow some of their own food, we’ll be able to serve more homeless children, and it’s all because of your caring hearts and serving spirits.  We are unable to express our thanks adequately, but one day when we are all together in heaven and the Father gives us a better way to express ourselves, then we will let you know just how much we appreciated what you did to make a life for some very needy and some very deserving children.  Continue to pray, please!

  Indiana Church of Christ 
  225 East Pike Rd. 
  Indiana, PA  15701 

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” 
                           Proverbs 19:17