Transcript Document

Pune
India
and
South
Asia
Why India?
India is probably
the biggest
challenge for
mission and the
Gospel among the
countries of the
world
Setting the Scene – Some of the
Mission Challenges of India (1)
 The most people in the world: Over 1 billion
 The most people in poverty – over 300 million living on




less than US1$ a day
One of the most unequal countries in the world with
wide gaps between rich and poor, reinforced by the
caste system which still dominates the social system in
most of India
The largest number of people with HIV-AIDS in the
world
The highest number of child labourers in the world – 40
million
One of the world’s major conflicts e.g. Kashmir
Setting the Scene – Mission
Challenges of India (2)
 One of the most unreached nations for the
Gospel - officially less than 2.5% Christian
 A multi-religious society - more religions than
most other countries; 75-80% Hindu
 The birth place of: Hinduism, Buddhism,
Sikhism and Jainism
 The second largest Muslim nation in the world
after Indonesia – Islam is one of the great
issues & challenges for world mission today
 A rise of persecution in recent years with
many states passing anti-conversion laws
Mumbai – home to 18
million people
Paradox and Positives of India
The world’s largest cross-cultural mission
movement – 75,000 Indian missionaries
Fast growing new emerging mission
movements and churches
The worlds largest democracy
One of the world’s fastest growing
economies & 5th largest economy
The worlds largest middle class – over 250
million
Who is Dr Lalita Edwards?
Lalita
Edwards…
A medical doctor who has
served in Christian missions for
many years
A consultant and trainer in HIVAIDS care and prevention, sex
education and child development
A CMS co-mission partner who
shares the Gospel through her
work and leads people to Christ
A family person - married with
three adult daughters and
several grandchildren
What does Lalita Edwards do now?
Runs “Santvana”, a new small home for
children affected by HIV-AIDS
Conducts medical clinics in the red light
and slum areas of Pune city
Provides training and consultancy in HIVAIDS and child care for various Christian
organisations and churches
Counsels those with various needs and
shared her faith in Christ
Lalita counselling ladies
Outreach Medical Clinic in
red light area of Pune
Lalita’s heart is
especially for
young people from
poor backgrounds
at risk from HIVAIDS .
She believes that
Bible values
rooted in faith in
Christ are the key
to prevention
Lalita shares her faith with those
who do not know Jesus
Santvana Children’s Home,
Pune
Yogesh
Robin
The three boys who
recently came to
Santvana Home
Shankar
Preeti and Suwarta help to care
for the children of Santvana Home
How will St Andrews connect with Lalita
Edwards?
A gift of £2500 in 2006 and a similar gift
in 2007 .
This will be from the funds allocated for
overseas mission from the Legacy Fund.
We hope to have regular contact with
Lalita, receive her news and pray for her
and her work.
What can we pray for?
1. For a new larger
home for the
children of
Santvana
2. For children and
women to find
Christ
3. For more fellow
workers for
Lalita
4. For Lalita’s health
and strength &
wisdom for the
future