Orphanages

Margham supports two children’s homes in Andhra Pradesh, providing over 120 children with shelter, food, clothing, education, a loving family environment, and, most importantly, the knowledge of their Heavenly Father.  Many of these children would be begging in the streets but for the help of Margham’s support.  There are many reasons for the overwhelming number of orphans in India, including AIDS and widowed mothers abandoning children in order to remarry in another part of the country.  Despite the sad history of each child, visitors immediately feel the joy and love that these extended families feel for each other.

The smaller of the two homes is the Mum Anita Home, where Pastor Arun Kumar is fondly called “Daddy” by about 30 children.  Arun did not seek to start an orphanage, but when destitute women brought their starving children to him, he could not refuse to help.  This large family gathers together for prayer and Bible study from 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m. every day, and the children love helping Arun lead church worship and evangelism.  When asked what they want to do when they finish school, most quickly reply that they want to follow in Arun’s footsteps to serve the Lord in ministry and evangelism.

Widows Ministry

In traditional rural villages it is not uncommon for girls to marry at a young age, even as early as 14 yeas old, to an older man. These young wives come to the marriage without education, only having prepared to care for children and the home. When their husbands die, often from AIDS or drug and alcohol abuse, these women are without the skills and knowledge required for a job suitable to support their family. Widows are traditionally not allowed to remarry and are outcast by family and society while they bear the responsibility of caring for their children until each child has married.

Widows have become a vital part of Margham churches because they find a new family, a new hope, and a new future in Christ. They are devoted church members, eagerly sharing God’s love with those around them and often caring for the church building, where they find a welcoming shelter to sleep at night.  Margham strives to help these women by building dormitories and providing rice and clothing to supplement the meager income they generate from laboring in rice fields.