India Orphanage Project History

(Magimai Home for Children)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Woodside Bible Church has worked in cooperation with Mano Daniel for a number of years.  We have annually sent teaching teams of two men to teach, train and encourage the top 100 tract runners, who proclaim the Gospel throughout India.  More recently, Mano and his wife Sheila were invited to attend the annual Woodside Worldwide Missions celebration in November 2008.  Mano directs many different ministries in India, including the Faith, Prayer and Tract League.  Sheila is a medical doctor and world renowned medical expert on HIV/AIDS.  During the celebration, Sheila mentioned in an interview that she had a passion to help AIDS affected children — those children whose parents are living with HIV and have contacted AIDS and are not able to care for them.  Sheila’s dream was to begin an orphanage where 20 children between the ages of 3 to 12 are cared for and de-stigmatized from being associated with an AIDS infected parent.  Then, after a period of a few years, the goal would be to adopt these children out to caring Christian families.

 

Proverbs 17:5 (NIV) He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker: whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

                                                                                                 

Shortly following the Missions celebration, contributions were given to Pastor Doug Schmidt for this project.  First a couple of thousand, then larger sums arrived.  At this point, Woodside realized God was speaking and directing us to act upon the passion God had given to Sheila.  Plans began taking shape to assist her in making the orphanage a reality.  Unsolicited contributions came in throughout 2009, culminating in just over $75,000.00.

 

John 10:10 (NIV) Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Mano has a two story warehouse that was constructed during the Tsunami and has been functioning as a rehabilitation center.  Here, he provides training to help rebuild the lives of the fishermen who lost everything during the Tsunami.  It is the second story of this building that will be converted into the orphanage.  Building plans were drawn up, and Woodside decided to send a short-term trip to help in the renovation work.  A team of seven men from Woodside Bible Church will leave for Ranganathapuram, Tamilnadu, India on February 6, 2010, for two weeks to begin the renovations, which include dorm rooms and bathrooms for boys, girls and house parents, electrical work, ceilings and lights in the rooms.  Future short term trips will be organized as Mano Daniel and Woodside develop a comprehensive strategy.  If you are interested in participating in this project, contact Lexie Schwarze at    missions@woodsidebible.org .