Missions Newsletter March 2023

From Courtney Fish, Redeemer member

In early January, I traveled to Thirivulla, Kerala, in southern India with a team of speech-pathology graduate students from Samford University to serve at the Prathsheeka Early Development Center. This center is the first of its kind in southern India and serves children 6 and under with autism, microcephaly, Down Syndrome and developmentally delayed children. We spent time with the ministry leaders of Sathyam ministries which has a home for adults with disabilities, a church planting network, and schools for children in India.

When I look back on these 2 weeks in India, one of the things that stands out to me was the opportunity to spend time with believers in a different part of the world and in a very different culture. Our first Sunday there, we attended church and worshiped with and learned from believers who are a part of the small minority population of Christians in India. These believers often have to consider how their faith will impact them and their families and are facing the possibility of a non conversion law coming soon. It is so encouraging to see the believer’s faithful persistence and their heart for the gospel and serving those in need.

Another highlight of this trip was spending time and providing therapy to kids and families who are often isolated in society because of their disabilities. It gave me a heart to remember and care for people in our culture and those across the world who are not always welcomed or celebrated. The schools in India do not allow children to attend if they are unable to sit in their chair for extended periods of time which prevents many children with autism from gaining an education and interacting with peers. This trip allowed me to see a clearer picture of God’s heart for the nations and the way that the church is able to meet real needs that people are facing in these communities. I am so grateful for Redeemer’s support and prayers during my time in India.