June 2024
Dear Friends in Mission,
As spring turns into summer we hope that you are enjoying the blessings that we see all around us. Personally we have continued to be busy throughout the spring and Shant has had good medical checkups and is getting back to normal. It has also been busy for our pastors and partners in India and we want to update you with the latest news.
It has been so encouraging to see many projects funded through your generosity. The church washroom and porch projects are nearing completion and the second story at the centre of ministry location has been completed with four bedrooms, attached washrooms and a common area - see a recent picture on the following page. Presently, another church is under construction and this has also been fully funded by one of our supporting churches in New Brunswick. So there is much to be thankful for!
As God continues to bless the hard work being done in these areas there are always additional needs. While we sometimes hesitate to ask, we feel that we should bring these needs to our supporters and trust that God will provide as people are touched by what He is doing. Please look over the following projects and if you feel led to help in any way you can have confidence that we will continue to put your gifts to very good use. There are projects big and small to choose from.
Help for Needy Families: We want to reach out to families in village areas around some of our churches to help in a very practical way. Since we have an agricultural project that involves chickens our regional director suggested that we could extend this on a smaller scale. For only $15 we would supply a family with 20 chicks, their vaccinations and training on how to raise them. Then, in four months they can sell those chickens for $5.50 each for a total income of $110.00 - a big boost for needy families! This would be a great project for childrens’ programs such as Sunday Schools or VBS and for anyone in general as it makes a real difference for a very small investment.
Pastors Retreat: Our nine pastors would like to go on a 4-5 day retreat in the hill stations in Shillong in August or September – $200 per pastor.
Small Motorcycles / Scooters: Needed for three of our pastors (includes taxes & license) – $2,455 each.
Centre of Ministry: We are now looking at what is needed to maximize the potential of these great facilities. They are now being used for the local church congregation, pastoral and leadership training sessions, a primary school and hosting small conferences. This is now a place that will be available for other Christian groups to rent and use for their programs, fulfilling a real need in this area. Here are some of the current needs:
- A drainage system in the compound and an outdoor kitchen - $3,200
- False ceilings are needed in the four school rooms to protect from overheating in the hotter seasons because of the tin roofing – $325 per room or a total of $1,300
- Furnishing for guest rooms at $1,365 per room and air conditioning for each room at $700 per room for a total of $2,065 per room or $8,260 for the four rooms.
- Replace projector used for teaching/training – $820
- Upgrading the church sound system - $1,365
- A digital keyboard for the church – $725
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, and please contact us if you have any questions. We would be most happy to come and give an update in person to any church or group, or to provide any additional materials for groups that would like to take on a project in the coming months. Donations can be made in various ways - given via e-transfer to info@farcornersministry.org , given by credit card via Paypal through our website or cheques can be sent to our mailing address.
It is truly a privilege to be part of these growing ministries and our desire is to keep providing the funds and encouragement that allow our partners to fulfil the vision that God is giving them. We want to express our thanks to both individual and church donors for the wonderful prayer and financial support that you have given so faithfully to Far Corners Ministry! Please continue to pray for our director in India and his family, for our pastors and the church families that they represent, and for the many people around them who need to still hear that Christ loves them. We are thankful that the state of West Bengal has experienced much less persecution than some parts of the country and ask for your prayers that this will continue.
Yours sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Shant and Ginny Manuel
Executive Director & Ministry Administrator