Introducing GFT {the orphanage building organization}

Travel in India ruins those who don’t have hearts made of stone. Be forewarned. If you don’t die from a violent crash (or heart attack) in your first five minutes of navigating the unbelievably chaotic traffic you will, inevitably, collide with something (or someone) that will deconstruct your way of life.

Father and child at a leper colony in Khammam district, India

Meeting a father with less than $1.25 a day to provide for his family may cause you to re-prioritize your spending.

Woman at leper colony in Khammam district, India

Shaking the hand of a woman crippled from leprosy for lack of access to medical treatment might make your insurance premium seem less burdensome.

Beautiful girl at an orphanage in Managuru, India

Realizing that the little girl in the orphanage would have ended up in a brothel if she had not been rescued could change the way you talk (There might be a little more speaking up for those who can’t speak up for themselves and a little less political discussion).

Boys dancing at an orphanage in Managuru, India

Watching young men dance might leave you with the realization that you can find something better to do with your time than watching the latest episode of ______________ (fill in the blank with your favorite TV show).

Woman at a ministry training gathering in Managuru, India

For me it was spending two weeks with a little group of Christians from Gospel for Tribals Social Services Society (I know. It’s a long name).

Pastor attending training in Managuru, India

These Christians weren’t like any Christians I had ever seen before. They were radical. They gave up their possessions to follow Jesus. They were beaten and spit upon. Their houses were burned. They forgave.

Elderly woman, India

They took in orphans, cared for lepers, honored the elderly, drilled wells for the thirsty, and bandaged the broken. They prayed for people to be healed (and it worked).

Pastor and wife praying in Managuru, India

They prayed (really prayed, on their knees). They wept. They repented.

Women dancing in Managuru, India

And they danced (and I danced with them).

These Christians were getting the job done. They were preaching the Gospel where it had never been preached before, making disciples, and planting churches.

I watched them and I wondered why my faith didn’t look like theirs.

After much pondering, I’ve come to the conclusion that my faith doesn’t look like theirs because I don’t love like they love. My faith will become radical faith when I respond to the needs I see around me as if they were my own.

How in heavens name am I going to do that? That’s not just hard, it’s impossible.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matt 19:26

My experiences with GFT in India have led me to partner with them in an orphanage building project. I am raising $65,000 to build an orphanage in India. I would love it if you got involved. Donate here. Find other ways to help here.