Colleen's 71st Birthday Celebration

What an honor it was to be part of and witness Colleen Redit's birthday celebration. The day was centered around all of the amazing work Colleen has been a part of in Chennai. It was absolutely astounding to see how many hundreds of people's lives Colleen has affected for the better. Teri Gundlach spoke at the beginning of the program, giving  a very honoring message to Colleen. She compared Colleen's faith and obedience to that of Abraham's. It was a very fitting analogy.

Teri Gundlach speaking at Colleen's birthday program.

The program then featured each department of CMCT (there are over 25) doing some sort of tribute, whether it be a performance, song, poem or elaboate skit. The respect and adoration the entire staff has for her, is like nothing we have ever seen. Throughout the day, there were lines of people waiting to give Colleen gifts and to express their gratitude for Colleen's ministry, her generosity, her vision and her outreach. Members of the leprosy village, parents of sponsor children, women who attend the rooftop bible study, recipients of food from the soup kitchen, HIV medical patients and employees all came to present Colleen with not only a gift but an overwhelming outpouring of thankfulness. This was a tangible showing of how many people Colleen not only helps but gives dignity and respect to.

Colleen blowing out her birthday candles.

The girls who live in the orphanage singing a song in honor of this special day.

Women from the rooftop bible study doing a traditional Indian dance.

Just one of the hundreds of people who presented Colleen with a gift.....