I send this Christmas letter on behalf of our family, Veda staff, the Stone Cutter's Community Church, and the Bindu Home children.

Mary said,

"MY HEART PRAISES THE LORD;
MY SOUL IS GLAD BECAUSE OF GOD MY SAVIOR;
FOR HE HAS REMEMBERED ME,
HIS LOWLY SERVANT!
FROM NOW ON PEOPLE WILL CALL ME BLESSED
BECAUSE OF THE GREAT THINGS
THE MIGHTY GOD HAS DONE FOR ME".

Doris and I stand beside Mary and repeat the above passage in Luke's gospel. The Lord has been good to us throughout this year and has taken care of our needs marvelously.   At Matilda School in Mallepally we were able to construct a compound wall, a kitchen for the Bindu Home, a small dining area for the children, and a 64x28 ft. multi-purpose hall. 

The construction on the Devarkoda Matilda Primary School has been started and is going on rather slowly. We dug a bore well 200 feet deep for drinking water and we found good water. We are digging the foundation pits and we applied for electricity from a pole almost half a mile away. We hope to finish the construction of the school by the end of May 2002.

The local authorities put some restrictions on the construction of a small church at Anjaiah colony stone cutter's village. No steeple, they said, and no propagation of the gospel but only worship. We are so thankful for this FREEDOM of expression of our faith. This little community church is attracting many school and college students. Very recently we sent a young man for Bible training school from this church who wants to be a missionary to tribals.

There are 38 Bindu children this year. Three of them are appearing for the 7th grade government exams in April which screen the level of their learning skills.

The Grace Children's Clinic has seen ups and downs in the last 6 months. On the first of December the Lord provided us with a regular doctor and another doctor who visits the clinic on Wednesday and Sunday to treat complicated cases. We are also camping in the villages to treat old people. We are so grateful to God for this new development.

The sewing center has completed its 6th batch of 12 young women who were trained for 6 months. One of them was gifted a sewing machine for best learning skills. Lee Anne Simpson from TIC, Taipei is sending some sample material for the center to stitch and send the finished work to be sold in Taipei. This is exciting news for our ladies who will have the exporting contact for their finished products.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for the 20-plus young students from Hindu background who attend church on regular basis, for the young pastor who is in training, for an engineering student who is beaten up by her father for wanting to be a Christian.
2. We received funds generously (about US$ 20,000) for the construction of Matilda Primary School at Devarkonda. We need another $ 10-15000 to complete the building and furnishings.
3. Bindu home on Nalgonda road needs additional place for all the 40 children to stay. We also need 10 more Bindu sponsors.
4. Please pray for salaries for doctors and nurses at Grace children's clinic, an ambulance, medical supplies and basic surgical equipment.
5. We want to upgrade the Shalom sewing center facilities for preparing export-quality material.
6. For survival of our faith and witness.

We are thankful to all of you for your support and prayers.