India Backpacks
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Need - $7,360.26
Reading time about 1 minute. Pastor Solomon Bijja, in India, is one of the most fascinating pastors and church planters I have ever met. He has several churches he cares for, a girls' orphanage, a boys' orphanage, a Bible Institute, and oversees the ministries of 183 pastors/church planters, along with the Timothys and Bible Women whom they have trained. At this point, I could not tell you how many "generations" of Timothys he has, but I have met at least 100 of them, as I have traveled to their churches, preached to their people, and been blessed by their love. (Nolin is especially cherished by the ladies, but the men love her too.) Solomon's recent email opened my eyes to the needs of poor preachers in India, who often fall ill during field visits and outreach work due to contaminated water. Frequent travel under the tropical sun dehydrates in a region where hydration can be crucial. Yet, the water is often contaminated with larvae, sediment, and bacteria. They often need to hydrate, but the water quality deteriorates as they go deeper into the jungle, hindering their ministry advancement. I recall traveling with him once, nearly twenty years ago, when we stopped at a house church. The people had waited four hours for our arrival and were eager to serve us tea and a meal. I knew it was tainted, but I also knew that all eyes were upon me, and to refuse a glass of water would be hurtful and insulting, so I drank. It took only minutes to begin feeling the pain. Within a few hours, I was overcome with both water and food poisoning that lasted for days. Sadly, it wasn't the first time or the last. Solomon’s teams perpetually endure the same, so he is requesting that Final Frontiers provide each of them with a rugged “Thermosteel” Flask that keeps water warm for a long time and is easy for them to refill by boiling water as needed. (When hot, Asians typically avoid cold water in favor of hot or boiling water. They say it cools them from the inside, by causing them to sweat. (I am not Asian!) Such a “flask” will protect them from waterborne diseases and prevent them from having to stop their travels. This particular one is what they have available in their region. They also need a backpack to carry one or two pairs of clothing and toiletries. Unlike a shoulder bag, which is small and cannot carry any clothing; it is large enough to also carry extra Bibles and literature. To be more effective and healthier, they requested that we provide each church planter and team member with a backpack and a water bottle as a Christmas gift. I know Christmas has passed, but their need continues. So, can you help one of them, or more? Donate on this page to this need, or mail in a check and designate it to "India Backpacks". And a belated Merry Christmas to all!
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