Spending ten days in Calcutta a month ago and glimpsing the volume of suffering there, I can u/s how Mother Teresa was plagued with doubts about God throughout her ministry, wondering where was God in it all.  But she never gave up serving God. It was our privilege to spend some time with those who are serving God today. A friend of ours established a Christian charity called 'Grandmas' giving hope to deprived children at first in London and Bristol, but now also in Calcutta. In a community called Sonagachi where narrow alleys are lined with small apartments built for concubines of the 18th and 19th century. Today the packed residents are the victims of Aids, extortion, blackmail, rape and murder. There are thousands of children living with one parent or with a guardian who long for the children to have a vision of a better life. 'Grandmas' have acquired a house in Sonagachi which they hope will soon accommodate a Christian school and clinic. We attended a Kids Club which has already commenced on the flat roof and also worship. It was a joy to preach to a congregation that first met only in January and has grown already to fill the roof space. We hear that the 5am Easter sunrise service on that roof was a thrilling experience as the birds in the trees led the dawn chorus.

It is impossible for us to help everyone but the maxim of the charity 'Compassion' has always been each one help one. You may remember that Melanie and her niece spoke about this charity at our family service last October. It was our privilege to spend a day with Compassion staff visiting one of their projects near the coast of the Bay of Bengal. There sponsored children are taught vocational and life skills as well as the Christian faith. It was joy to be given a presentation of dancing and worship songs in Bengali and English. We then walked around some paddy field to learn about growing rice and visit some simple homes with mud walls and thatched roofs. The ministry of care demonstrated by the project brings adults if the community to convert from the Hindu faith to Christianity.

We had another trip to a coastal area that had been devastated by the Tsunami, this time with a charitable foundation working to spread cancer awareness and care.  Volunteers had spread news throughout the surrounding villages of a day clinic to be held in rooms of a convent school. Two doctors and a few nurses gave up their Saturday to staff the clinic attended by nearly 200 for tests and treatment. Even in the midst of great need there were smiles of joy at the care given and received.

Our visit to India was a powerful reminder of all that we can often take for granted, our healthcare and opportunities for education and work.  It is also easy to forget that Jesus said 'whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Matthew 25:45. As we celebrate his resurrection let us remember that he lives to minister through our lives. There are many in our own land who are in need.  May our care for them be an expression of kingdom life and hope. 

Prayerful Greetings,