North and to a SPICE Hostel

The 19th morning we left Cuttack for points north. It was a 4 and 1/2 hour journey to reach our destination. We arrived at Adapal and the Bethel SPICE hostel.

When we arrived in the area there were police doing various checks on one of the roads. We were met by local people and brought in by a round about way. The concern was that we were coming to observe another Seekers Conference. The Hindu population is very concerned about foreign involvement in conversion. Our hosts just wanted to avoid any type of possible confrontation.

We had a wonderful time at the hostel. There are 110 children living there. Some 28 seekers had gathered for this conference growing out of radio ministry and the follow-up of the local church pastors and leaders. It was a privilege to see people learning and all of the persons who came to this conference stood to claim Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.

It is so encouraging to see the plan the church here in Orissa has to follow-up with people whether they respond to radio ministry or to the direct evangelistic outreach of the church. They quickly enfold the people into community and help them to understand and grow in their new found faith. In these times of persecution for the church in Orissa, the radio continues to be a wonderful tool to reach people. Once they respond the church is then their to follow-up and work with the people.

Being at the SPICE hostel was very special. The children quickly prepared a program for their guests from North America and those who had come for the Seekers Conference. They did wonderfully.

We watched them as they went through all of the many things that are part of a daily routine in a hostel where each child carries responsibility for some aspect of community life. Older children were caring for younger children. All were involved in helping to clean. Studies were being conducted, and the children attended public school through the day.

The children in the SPICE Hostels are chosen from the rural and most needy BIC children within Orissa (it is also much like this in Bihar and Nepal as well). These children come and live in a hostel where they are cared for and where they are able to attend a good school. Sponsorship for these children is received from individuals who would like tyo do the same in North America. The team with me found this to be a very good expenditure of $170.00 (US or Canadian) to allow a child to come and live in a hostel for a full school year.

When I went to bed I could still hear the children taking care of things as needed. When I awoke the next day they were soon up and busy with all of the things needed to get themselves ready for another day.