Thursday February 13th

A visit to Wilson in Neyyar Dam, Kerala

Wilson works with Bethany Gospel Ministries which is situated in a beautiful part of Kerala; lush green countryside surrounds a shimmering lake with a high mountain range as backdrop. Perfect!

Neyyadar Dam views

Picturesque countryside

However, alongside this picture-postcard image, tucked away up steep, unsteady rocky pathways are some very small brick huts in which families exist in poverty. HHI has helped many people in this community, and Wilson took us to visit some of the beneficiaries.

Sivarajan has suffered a stroke and cannot work. His wife has cancer. He receives £10/month for medication. He also has a well which HHI has helped to install.

Sivarajan -Stroke victim with Wilson

Sivarajan’s well . His wife has cancer

Sujatha, 64 years old, suffered a stroke. She has received money support from HHI for the last two years which she uses to buy necessary medication to improve her condition.

Sindo, seen here in the middle of the picture on the right, has psoriasis and her husband is asthmatic. Sindo’s elderly mother lives with them and they all really appreciate the monthly support from HHI. I asked about the cost of treating psoriasis. Apparently ‘simple’ medication is free in India, but specific needs are expensive – even for the very poor.

Sujatha 64 yrs stroke 2 years ago

Sindo with psoriasis Husband asthma

Wilson then took us to visit some other needy people who have not yet received help from HHI. Because of their poverty and disability they cannot help themselves and this is where our supporters enable HHI to step in.

Noble and his family dwell in a very shabby stone hut. Although it has electricity, inside the home was grim. Noble has tongue cancer and his daughter Lili has suffered a stroke. She does not speak clearly or walk easily. Lili has two young daughters to care for, and her husband abandoned her when she became disabled. Noble has a hospital appointment in March and Lili needs constant medication. Thanks to your kindness I was able to give them £50 to help with Lili’s medication, Noble’s transport to hospital and to enable them to buy food for the girls.

Pastor Manindra Kumar (right hand picture) has kidney failure and has suffered a stroke. He and his wife have ‘remortgaged’ their home to pay for Manindra’s treatment – she needs to have liquid food through a tube.  Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, I was able to give them some money.

Noble, his daughter Lili and grandaughters

Pastor Manindra Kumar kidney failer and stroke

Pastor Victor Phillip lives alone in a room by a small church hall where he used lead worship. He has had a stroke which has affected his memory and the right side of his body. He has no family to support him, but he did show us all the hospital paperwork. He has an appointment for a check-up and physio in the near future. Victor Phillip has written over 1000 hymns which were published which he proudly showed us the book. Unfortunately, there are no copyright rules in India, otherwise he would have a small income. However, HHI was able to give him £50 for medication and hospital transport. He was moved to tears and we all said prayers of thanks.

The remaining HHI money went to Padmavathi to pay for an operation to her right eye which she had cancelled twice because she could not afford it. She received money from HHI a few years ago which enabled her to have her left eye successfully treated. Once both eyes have healed she intends to recommence her work as a cleaning lady. Well done Padmavathi.

We look forward to hearing about all these patients in Wilson’s monthly updates.

Pastor Victor Phillip with his book of published hymns

Padmavathi -paid for right eye op

I am delighted to say a big thank you to our wonderful HHI supporters for giving me the opportunity to make a huge difference to the lives of many people during this amazing time in India.

Nandi നന്ദി  Thank you.