One fine morning in June fifty years ago, I was very happy. I ran across the fields crossed the little ravine that led to the farm where my brother worked to tell the good news that I was free. Free indeed to go to school at the mission compound to learn to read and write. Free, no more bonded to work in the fields of the landlord to look after his one eyed buffalo.

The missionary lady looked at the tattered shirt that I wore and asked me to come closer. She spoke to me in clear Telugu, my native language that I should work hard. And that Jesus loved me.

Jesus did love me. I got free education, clothing and lots of love. No more worries about being sold into slavery. I received a love that is different from the village. I sang songs along with other children and prayed to a God that is not known except that His name is Jesus. Every time I prayed I received a peace that made me forget my mother and father.

At age 19 I accepted Christ and asked him to take control of my entire life’s affairs. During this commitment I made one decision to serve my own people in my region. I had no financial means to go to college. I went to a Lab technicians course and when opportunity came I went to serve in Vietnam under the Mennonite Central committee for 4 years with wife Doris and daughter Esther.

In 1975 we left with the air evacuees to USA on a flight that carried 500 babies under Holt adoption agency. While in North America I studied theology at the Canadian Mennonite Bible College for three years and got an advanced certificate in Pastoral counseling. A year’s studies at Overseas Ministries study center in NJ gave us a clear call to go back to India though there had been several offers to stay in the USA and work in the clinical counseling.

Doris and I prayed. Temptations to stay in the USA and no job offer in India upon return. Two children to feed and educate and no money to buy tickets to go back to India. Test of time. But God told us to go. And He provided. And we went. Worked in various odd jobs. Eight years with Mennonite Church in pastoral and administrative capacity. Often reviewed the purpose of return to India. The call to serve the rural untouchables, tribals and the under privileged re-emerged.

I left the city of Hyderabad with my wife and 3 children. We lived in a village with no running water and proper electricity. At the Stonecutters community, we started a sewing center and a school in a room which also served as church on Sunday. The Stonecutters community provided a base for maximum involvement for expression of faith.

Later we opened an English medium elementary school (1991) at Devarkonda and another seven kilometers away in Mallepally to provide quality education for untouchables and the tribals. An evening education program was added for children who work during the day. Later a home for the orphans was started as an attachment to the Matilda School at Mallepally.

Very recently a clinic for the children was constructed to treat snake bites and other health needs. This is a dream fulfilled. God brought together two Graces in a mysterious way and made this project to take shape and it has served 300 patients in the last 4 months. When the resident doctor gave notice that he was leaving, God sent a couple from Bruderhof community ( USA) the husband to work in the school and the wife to work in the clinic (General Nurse).

We continue to help the bonded laborers and provide them with technical skills as part of a rehabilitation program.