We went to the campus of Operation Mobilization who we will be working with and got to see the amazing work they do. Here in India approximately 25 % of the population are in the lowest caste (called the Dalit), which are viewed as lower than animals. The Hindu religion, which is by far the highest percentage of the population (80 %) teaches that people born into this caste have done bad things in past lives and that they are being punished for their misdeeds by having to come live their life in a low caste. There is widespread acceptance of the status quo. These people are considered untouchable to the remaining population and are exploited through having to work for minimal wages ($1 per day). Many live in slums which are essentially like shanty towns made of rags, tarps,wood or anything else that can be found.
Only approximately 2% of the population is Christian. OM India is an organization that assists the Dalit people by providing an English based Christian education, health care, microfinance assistance and advocacy for this population. They do not evangelize per se, but rather believe in showing God's love by assisting the poor and disenfranchised. They are open to sharing their faith but do not require the people they help to be Christian, nor do they require they hear about Christianity. They say they are asked why they do this and when they say because they are Christians and that is what Christians are called to do, that they have had more people come to the faith out of wanting to know this type of faith.
They have 18 schools they provide as well as almost 100 health workers throughout India providing medical care and primary health care information to the underprivileged. They are invited to work in a certain slum by the Dalit leaders and then go in to provide this help. They are also active in anti human trafficking and women's rights because it is seen as acceptable for Dalit women to be raped. They have their own publishing house for Christianliterature in all 29 official Indian languages. It is a privilege to be able to work with a committed group like this. We will be assisting in providing medical care at the mobile health clinics as well as providing health teaching to their schools, health care workers and the people of the slums.
Only approximately 2% of the population is Christian. OM India is an organization that assists the Dalit people by providing an English based Christian education, health care, microfinance assistance and advocacy for this population. They do not evangelize per se, but rather believe in showing God's love by assisting the poor and disenfranchised. They are open to sharing their faith but do not require the people they help to be Christian, nor do they require they hear about Christianity. They say they are asked why they do this and when they say because they are Christians and that is what Christians are called to do, that they have had more people come to the faith out of wanting to know this type of faith.
They have 18 schools they provide as well as almost 100 health workers throughout India providing medical care and primary health care information to the underprivileged. They are invited to work in a certain slum by the Dalit leaders and then go in to provide this help. They are also active in anti human trafficking and women's rights because it is seen as acceptable for Dalit women to be raped. They have their own publishing house for Christianliterature in all 29 official Indian languages. It is a privilege to be able to work with a committed group like this. We will be assisting in providing medical care at the mobile health clinics as well as providing health teaching to their schools, health care workers and the people of the slums.
OM India sounds like a very worthwhile organization, Markee. One of the best ways to introduce people to Christianity is to demonstrate love for one another. I love you and am so happy to hear of the work you are doing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan! I love you too and appreciate that you are reading my blog.
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