Dr. Vijayakumar is an Executive with Global Ministries, the organization that coordinates missions for the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  His area of responsibility includes Southeast Asia, of which India is part.  After getting to know Vijay and his work, I once commented that I’d love to travel with him to see India through his eyes. From that, a trip plan was hatched.

We’re going for several purposes: to give encouragement and support to churches and mission projects that our denomination shares partnership with, and to share in the culture, food, history and sights of that beautiful country. We’ll be traveling from Delhi in the north to the very southern tip of the country. I’ll do my best to add some photos and notes here over the next two weeks as we travel.  Internet availability is unknown, but we should have access several times during our journey.

Keep us in your prayers.

My $25 gift didn’t go very far in starting a hog farm, I’m sure, but my gift combined with $25 and $50 gifts from many other Kiva investors made it happen.  Within six weeks, a portion of my investment was returned to me by Kiva with a note of appreciation. After twelve weeks, another note outlined how the venture is growing.  After several months, Kiva notified me that my investment amount had been 96% repaid.  The combined gifts helped a family desperately in need to get on their feet again.

As the loan is repaid, I have the option to use my $25 to help someone else or to reclaim my funds.   I’m reviewing the possibilities.  I’ve also helped a group of women set up a seamstress shop in Afghanistan, and helped purchase wood for a carpenter in Togo.  My funds earn no interest (about the same rate my bank pays.)  The feeling of making a difference is reward enough.  It’s one of the best investments I’ve made in a long time.  Care to join me?