Home Safe & Sound

Hello All,
I wanted to write a quick update to let everyone know that our team is home safe and sound. On Friday we had the opportunity to go to Delhi and tour the city. The city has more infrastructure than Chennai and there seems to be more afluent areas, but there were still a vast amount of slums as well as people who beg for money and food on the streets daily. Poverty is very prevalent in Delhi as well as Chennai.

We flew to Dubai on Friday night and had a tour of the city on Saturday. All of the new construction is quite remarkable. We were able to see the tallest building in the world as well as the newly built "Palm Islands."

We had a wonderful debrief on Saturday afternoon and were able to discuss our action items going forward in terms of how we will continue to support CMCT as well as raise awareness and money for this amazing ministry.

Our flight home was a long one and a few of the team members got sick. Everyone is home and I'm sure jetlagged, but we can't wait to share our experiences with all of you.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers and encouragement.

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.....