The Villager
July 2004
A news page from Veda Ministry( Matilda Education Society)
Devarkonda, A.P., India

"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

This news page is long overdue for two reasons:

1. I had a heart attack in April.
2. Our computer had a breakdown.

India Notes:
The rains did not come as expected in monsoon. Many farmers are leaving for city in search of jobs in construction. Even children are leaving schools and are joining their parents on the labor force. Some farmers have committed suicide due to inability to repay their loans. The political scenario has changed at the center and in Andhra Pradesh. The Congress Party has come into power and has been trying to ease the burden on the common people through tax reforms. There are promises and more promises with more incentives for the farming sector. This is a wait and see period. The Congress Government is secular and more tolerant towards religious expression, unlike the previous government. The Christian community hopes that there will be no more burning of churches 

VEDA Notes/ Matilda Education Notes:
So no rains came for this year. What will happen to water situation? We have a bore well at the Matilda school Devarkonda. The water level is depleted to a greater level. Because we are so close to Nagarjuna sagar reservoir, which has a high level of florine content, the children are effected with bone and teeth-oriented problems. The bore well at Mallepalli school turned salty. The government supply of water comes once in two days for a limited time. The life goes on and on for nearly ?million people in Nalgonda region.

Veda ministry ( Village Evangelism and Development) changed its name to Matilda Education Society. This was done on the advice of the local government officials to give an out look from religious to secular. A new Board of Directors has been formed, including a Muslim and a Hindu. This idea did not appeal to many of the former Board members. As per the new regulations I am no longer the executive person. I act as a consultant.

Last month we received a status of charitable NGO from the Income Tax department. This provides a 50% return claim by any Indian donor under Section 80 G.

Bindu Notes:
Bindu home has 109 children this year. We are expanding the hostel and the kitchen facilities. The number of children who need a home will reach 150 by October. This summer a 33-seat Eicher bus was donated to us by the Schmidt Family Foundation of B.C, Canada. This bus covers a 80-85 kilometre radius every day.

Personnel Notes:
Katie McBride of Abbots ford, BC has joined Matilda staff at Mallepalli. She is a member of West Abbotsford Mennonite Church. She teaches English, Math and Science. She is teaching computers for 6th grade onwards. Nathan Anand joined Matilda staff as computer teacher. He helps in school
administration at Mallepalli. Sandhya rejoined Matilda school as a principal after a year's absence.

Health notes:
My health is improving. I move around and do things in slow motion. God has given me one more chance to serve Him and the community around for some more time. Thanks to all of you for praying for me and my family and for the ministry.

Your contributions help a lot to give a life chance to some destitute child, a bonded child laborer and give hope to many who lost hope in life. This is the day and time appointed by the Lord for doing some thing beautiful (Mother Theresa of India) for God. And you give us a chance to reach out to the needy.

Praise Notes:

1. Recovery of my health.
2. New school bus.
3. Katie McBride
4. Nathan Anand.
5. Charitable status for Veda.
6. Purchase of one acre of land adjacent to Matilda school

Prayer Notes:

1. For my continued health
2. Maintenance of 25 rural pastors.
3. An upcoming pastors seminar in October.
4. Bindu sponsorships.

Thank you,
In Christ,
Das Maddimadugu