Updates from India

In our last blog post, we communicated that the orphanage in India, was going to be required to move from their current location. They were initially given two months to vacate the facility, but they requested and were granted an extension until the end of August 2023. A new property came to their attention which had been used as an orphanage until a few years ago. Negotiations were beginning for the lease of this property, however, they were then notified that it had been sold for cash and was no longer available. Finding other properties was unsuccessful because orphans are generally very low in status in the Indian culture. No one really wanted an orphanage near them, so it appeared that a dead end had been reached.

At this point, it became clear that proceeding in man's power and wisdom was not getting very much accomplished. At this time, the Board made a decision to have Movements for Tomorrow to prioritize the raising of funds in order to fully support Miracle Orphanage. This brought about a concerted focus on bringing the matter before our God, who cares a great deal about orphans (James 1:27). Because of this, it was very easy to believe that the prayers being offered up were according to His will. Also, at this time, Movements for Tomorrow's missionary, Doc Butler, and one of the major donors toward Miracle Orphanage were able to travel to and visit the orphanage. One of the goals was to see if there was any possibility to continue in the current property, or to reopen negotiations for the property that had been sold. Both of these options ended with definite closed doors.

During this time, another property, owned by a local pastor, was proposed as a possible building site for the orphanage. When the visitors from the US and the leaders of the orphanage met with the property owner and with a builder who was able to build the dormitory for the orphans, it was determined that this was an open door to meet the needs of the children on an ongoing basis. This pushed the realization of the need for prayer regarding God's provision to complete the project. Before construction could begin, the purchase of the land would need to be completed and enough funding would have to be in hand to pay for half of the construction costs. The total for this would be approximately $50,000. The timeline required to make all of this happen included the deadline to be out of the current facility and to have construction completed before the beginning of the monsoon season.

We have definitely seen God's faithfulness in providing. As of Friday, May 26, Movements for Tomorrow was able to wire $50,000 to complete the purchase of the land and pay the builder the first half of the cost to complete the dormitory. We know we will need to continue to count on God's faithfulness as the project moves forward. Additional funding will be needed to complete the building of the dormitory as well as renovating a second building on the property to function as the kitchen. Funding will also be needed for the completion of a wall around the property for safeguarding the children and staff. This is all in addition to meeting the monthly needs of the children and providing a monthly living wage for the orphanage staff. We know that our God is a big God and that He can provide. We are asking that you participate with us in prayer for God's provision to complete this building project and to supply for the monthly ongoing needs of the orphanage.

One of the encouraging resources that the Board of Movements for Tomorrow has used to help as a guide in this project, is a book entitled The Autobiography of George Muller . God used this man to build multiple orphanages in England in the mid-19th century. Muller's goal in this was to prove God's willingness to provide for His work according to His will, and that work continues even to this day. Muller wrote in his journal,

"The child of God must be willing to be a channel through which God's abundant blessings flow. This channel is narrow and shallow at first, yet some of the waters of God's bounty can pass through. If we cheerfully yield ourselves to this purpose, the channel becomes wider and deeper, allowing more of the bounty of God to pass through. We cannot limit the extent to which God may use us as instruments in communicating blessing if we are willing to yield ourselves to Him and are careful to give Him all the glory."

The Board of Movements for Tomorrow has seen and is experiencing along with the staff of Miracle Orphanage , the same realities that go along with trusting God to accomplish His work. Our heart and our desire is to be obedient to God's call and to trust Him for the provision to see His work accomplished in this small and remote area of the world.