One thing so many of us take for granted is having plenty of nice clothing to wear. Most of us will likely remember when we were children being a little disappointed to open a Christmas gift and find that it was clothing instead of toys or “good stuff”. But for countless people in India, a gift of a shirt or dress to wear would be such a wonderful thing, because they have so little. ICII gives clothing to the poor, the homeless, leprosy victims, and other needy people every Christmas season.
Last year at one of our clothing outreaches ICII’s missionaries found blind and homeless people around their areas and invited them to a Christmas church outreach. These people live on the streets and have to beg each day just to eat, and they have absolutely no one in their lives to help them.
The ICII team shared the Christmas message of Jesus Christ with all those who came to the outreach. There were about 45 poor and homeless widows and 60 blind people. Over 60 people accepted Jesus into their lives. Each person was also so thankful that they received the clothing. They all shared, “This is the best gift for us!” These people even prayed for all the sponsors who gave them this gift of clothing because they were so very thankful!
Pastor shared about how one blind man came to him and asked him very seriously; “Why did you give this gift to us? How did you get this much compassion on us? I have been so frustrated lately. When I beg, many people mock me and shout rude remarks at me. I even fell down two times this week because of this frustration, but no one cared about me. Not even one person said one loving word to me this whole week. Today I submitted my life to Jesus and received him into my life. I asked Jesus to provide my needs. I asked for the real Christmas in my heart and now Jesus has given me this love in my heart. Not only do I appreciate getting the shirt but best of all this is the first time I got a gift of this kind of love. Now I want to come to church every week”.
What a blessing it is to read how the Lord is changing lives through His amazing love! ICII wants to thank all those who provided Children’s gift packs, clothing, rice and other gifts this year for Christmas!
You can give the best gift this year, to someone in need who will so much appreciate the simple gift of an item of clothing.
For only $20, you can sponsor 5 gifts of a shirt or sari. Click Here to find out how.
100% of your donation will be used to provide clothing for the needy in India.
Please click on the link below to provide clothing for the poor in India
http://www.indchurch.org/Catalog/2012/Christmas_Catalog.html
If anyone would like to send a gift through the mail, please use the address below. Please make your checks or money orders payable to “Independent Church in India” or “ICII”.