"When the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things (Jesus) did and the children shouting in the temple area, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ they were indignant. ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him.

‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘Have you never read, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise"?’ And he left them and went out of the city…" (Mt.21:15-17, NIV)

Dear Friends in Christ,

We have some very good news from Miraj, in follow-up of our previous letter regarding ministry to the red-light districts of Miraj and Sangli. This ministry has been initiated by the Reverend Timothy Jalam, whose personal life includes rescue from growing up in a brothel as a young lad. He is now a pastor ordained by the Church of North India and works in the Kolhapur Diocesan Council in charge of social outreach programs in this area.

May is the hottest month of the year here and a time for school vacations. So churches gear up for conducting daily vacation Bible schools (DVBS) during this time. The Miraj Christian Church had attendance of nearly 450 children at its DVBS, many from non-Christian homes. In the brothel areas, Timothy conducted DVBS in two areas, with attendance of nearly 150 children for the whole month. He was disappointed that classroom space in the third area could not be rented this year, as it had been available in previous years.

About a week after DVBS was completed, an 8-year-old girl, Jyoti, ran up to Timothy one day, Marathi-language Bible in her hand, and said, "Will you let me give my testimony to the other children today, please?" Jyoti is a very bright and high-spirited fourth grader. She was also very mischievous and troublesome when she first began attending Timothy’s regular Bible classes. Timothy could hardly believe his ears.

This was the moment Timothy had longed for, these past seven years, ever since he’s been ministering to the brothel areas of Miraj and Sangli. Never before had a child asked to give personal testimony! Jyoti gave her companions a beautiful, touching testimony of what the Lord Jesus now means to her! Never before had Timothy experienced such a moment of grace! Mind you, none of these children come from Christian homes—all are children of commercial sex workers, being reared by their mothers in brothel environments. But the magnetic power of the gospel message is penetrating into these young minds, just as God moved children on that first Palm Sunday to shout "Hosannas" and to sing psalms in celebration of our Lord’s triumphant yet humble ride into Jerusalem, and then on into the Temple. In like manner, Jyoti was able to convey to her young companions how much the Lord now means to her.

There is even more good news from this ministry. Very few of the children growing up in these brothel areas have been able to attend local public schools because of prejudice against them from schools and classmates. For several years now, boys have been sent out of town to boardings where they can attend school. Until now, it has not been possible to arrange similar opportunities for the young girls. Brothel madams and pimps are very possessive of these young girls, anticipating their future need for them. Timothy had tried over and over again since March to find a house for rent in the Miraj/Sangli area in order to establish a girls boarding. Twenty-five times a house had been promised for rent, but the offer was always withdrawn at the last moment. Even Christian families refused to rent out their property when they learned the purpose.

It was important to get the girls settled as soon as school started (three weeks ago) if a boarding was to be provided for this school year. By God’s grace, generous donations to support the boarding project came from two American churches, just in time to buy mattresses and many other required items, and to sustain their boarding costs.

Then, about 10 days ago, a Hindu property owner in a neighboring village agreed to rent a new building for this purpose! It is in a nearby town where there has been a long-term Christian mission, where there is a church and an excellent public school, both within walking distance of the home. The man who rented the property is the most respected leader of the village, termed "the village sarpanch." He has a tender heart toward Christians because of the good work they have done in his village for so many years.

This home is the most spacious of any Timothy had looked at previously, capable of housing up to 25 girls. It is a vastly different environment from the urban slum brothels in which these children have grown up. Very importantly, a trained Bible woman evangelist, now retired and residing in the same village, is willing to come and be a house mother for these girls. Bible teaching will be a critical part of their boarding experience, since none is a Christian. The school principal was willing to admit all the girls even a week late into the school year, so all the girls were transported 10 days ago and have started school!

Timothy knows that his own rescue from a brothel, and that of his younger brother, when both were young children, have been God-given opportunities for them. God has given him a keen mind and opportunities to finish secondary school, college, and theological training. It comes as no surprise that God has laid on his heart a commitment to rescue as many other children as possible from such brothels, to allow them real choices and opportunities for their lives.

So, while we have much to rejoice about, we also have much to pray for, and we invite your prayers. We know that demonic forces are at work amongst us, and they will come out in strong opposition to changes, to the coming of the Kingdom in every way it presents itself. Pray for the community to accept this girls boarding facility in their midst and for the girls themselves who will find themselves needing to catch up in many subjects they have not had opportunities to study in the past. Pray especially for physical protection for Timothy and his family, and for protection of these girls in boarding. And pray that the Lord will continue to lay on the hearts of these young girls the words of praise and joyous prayers spoken by children on that first Palm Sunday.

Yours, in Christ,

Paul & Judy Jewett