)i^L

the

India

Challenger
Missionaries:

Art & Ruth Morris 11 Rutland Gate 4th Street

Forwarding Agent: D. Eugene Houpt

P.O. Box 215

phones:
Home 217-442-6736

Madras, India 600006

Danville. IL 61832

Office 217-446-1542

Volume 31

April, 1981

Number 1

EVANGELISM IN INDIA
WE ARE HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT MORE THAN 15,000 HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED

INTO CHRIST SINCE THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR! This accomplishment is a clear

example of what happens when the American and Indian Christian leaders get together
and concentrate on a goal. Those who led in these special meetings and their home states were: Max Coins, Cliff Adams, Bill Grove - Arkansas; Clyde and Leona Bjooker- Kansas; T.R. Todd--Oklahoma; Frank Dodd-Texas; Arlene Rice - Nebraska; Don Young-Ohio; Vernon Gibson - Virginia; Ben & Eva Bean, Paul Hamilton - Indiana. These Americans joined efforts with our Indian Christian leaders and the results have been tremendous. This has been a great revival for 10 weeks. Our Indian preachers had been working in some areas for as long as three years in preparation. Every area had at least one full year of preparation. By means of prayer, hard work, night schools, personal evangelism and special programs this great harvest was
made possible.
Conservation of the results is now a vital task. We will have to build 100 new church

buildings, enroll more men in Bible College, buy more Bibles and teaching aids. This is the kind of problem we love to have. Any help you are able to provide to meet these needs will be
greatly appreciated.

India is probably the most wide open mission field in the world today. Let us strike when
the iron is hot. Once the door of India is closed, it may not open for generations. PLEASE
HELP US NOW. THE NEED IS URGENT.

WE NOW RESUME PUBLICATION OF THE INDIA CHALLENGER. Each quarterly issue will concentrate on one phase of the vast work that is part of the South India Church of Christ Mission. This issue deals with the special evangelistic efforts. Our June issue will
focus on the work of Southern Asia Christian College. We are indebted to West Akron Church of Christ, Akron, Ohio; Art Fields and Leonard Spradling of Akron, Ohio, for bringing you Indianotes for the years we suspended publication of the Challenger.

WE NEED BOOKS India lists six main headings:

1. Old Testament 2. New Testament

3. Church History 4. Theology 5. Religion

6. Pastoral work. In addition we are able to use

commentaries, Pictured above is a shipment of books

Bible dictionaries, all

kinds of reference books.

about to leave the post office at Danville, Illinois. For the past year Pat and Doris
Wilson of the Old Union Church of Christ

at Danville have been packing and

Send books by UPS to: South India Church of Christ Mission, c/o Houpt Insurance Service, 711 N. Gilbert St., Danville, Illinois 61832. Your help in this project will be very valuable. Thank you for considering it.

shipping all the books that have come in

for Southern Asia Christian College. Also

they have done the packing of bandages and other supplies that have been sent. We have shipped almost 2 tons of books, bandages and clothing in the last 9
months. Included were 2,000 books

which are needed so badly by the college. Would you like to help? Take a look at this book list. Maybe you have some that would help fill this need. Southern Asia Christian College must upgrade all of the facilities - including the library - in order to keep the accredited status it now has. We need an additional 8,000 books in the
various categories listed.

The

chairman

of

our

trustees

is

welcoming his new daughter as she

arrived from India. Barbara Elizabeth

Devi Hilgediek is now at home in Indianapolis.

EDNA BEAN

PAUL HAMILTON
LOOKS AT INDIA

LOOKS AT INDIA Sitting crosslegged on a straw mat barefoot is not my usual way to worship on the Lord's Day, but this was not an ordinary Sunday morning. Ruth Morris had helped me dress in a beautiful wine flowered sari that I had bought in Madrapakkam the week before. As she and I entered the church building that morning, March 11, we removed our
sandals as was the custom of the few

As a layman in Bethany Christian Church (Montgomery, Indiana), my first

question was "Why should I go to India?" I soon found the answer. These people had been taught for over a year and my going to the village was like the last night of a revival. My message was the simple gospel. The people responded.
There are over 600 million people in India and the need is so great. These people are starved for the Word of God. For 18<P you can buy a Bible in the native language. For $125.00 a church building can be
built.

Indian ladies who were wearing sandals.

As we entered, I soon knew the hymn they were singing was "Blessed Assurance", even though in another language. Then they sang "Power in the Blood". I soon felt I was among brothers and sisters in
Christ and felt close to God as we

I would like to say I have found Art & Ruth Morris to be people who have
worked hard and have sacrificed to do God's will. I have no doubt the Morrises

worshipped together.

Before my husband preached, I sang two songs. Then my husband, Ben, preached from John 3. The people were attentive. We had interpreters to give the songs and sermon to the people in their own language. There were 15 responses to the invitation. At the close the Lord's Supper was served using one cup and a bread which one of the ladies had prepared.
I had seen many pictures my husband had taken during his two previous trips to
India, but still there was a culture shock to actually experience the different food,
climate and customs.

have been directed by God to have accomplished so much. You may not be privileged to go to India in person, but your gifts can do so much.
Remember the amounts listed above for

Bibles and church buildings. Art and Ruth Morris will use every gift you send for the glory of God.

As I think back on the trip, there are many highlights. In a future issue, I will
write more about them.

BEN BEAN REPORTS This was my third trip to India. I am impressed more each time by the work of
the Morrises. They have trained a fine

leadership. The evangelistic teaching has brought a solid foundation to the

church in South India. The people are taught regularly for up to two years before the revival meetings are held. After the harvest of souls, the trained elders go right on teaching to conserve the babes in Christ. Gospel teams go out
Pictured above is T.R. Todd and a

Maravar president and others after their baptism. In February of this year, T.R.
Todd led his second large scale campaign
in the Maravar area of South India. To

two by two and are respected in the villages. Southern Asia Christian College is doing a great job teaching young men to proclaim the Word. Christian Hospital and the children's homes are well respected by the

date about 5,000 of these murdering tribes

government people. In every respect the

Lord is blessing the work.

people have been baptized including

many of their high officials. In recalling
one incident, T.R. Todd writes: "I was

told by the leader of one village that I was going to be his next victim. Instead of that happening, he was baptized. I have
his two foot knife."

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More accounts of this evangelistic effort will be printed in future issues.

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STORIES FROM INDIA FOR YOUR VBS ARE AVAILABLE. Art Morris has written true stories that will hold the interest of your children. Request copies.

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the

India

Challenger
Missionaries:

Art & Ruth Morris 11 Rutland Gate 4th Street

Forwarding Agent: D. Eugene Houpt

P.O. Box 215

phones:
Home 217-442-6736

Madras, India 600006

Danville, IL 61832

Office 217-446-1542

Volume 31

August, 1981

Number 2

Pictured above is the 1981 graduating class of Southern Asia Christian College, Madras, India, with principal and president - March, 1981.
THE INDIA CHALLENGER is a quarterly publication of the South India Church of Christ Mission. Please note addresses for missionaries and forwarding agent elsewhere in the publication.

SOUTHERN ASIA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

OUR COLLEGE THE GLORY OF THE TASK OF PREACHERS OF IS DEDICATED TO GOD AND SET FOR PREPARING YOUR THE GOSPEL!

College Accrediting Association ofIndia, we keep the American influence to a minimum. Thus, we can make a real Indian church, acceptable to the people of
India.

During the last two years, we have been working hard on the accrediting of our
institution. Now we are coming to the countdown and soon the accrediting committee will be here to either approve

WHAT ACCREDITING REALLY

DOES REQUIRE L Trained teachers with at least B.D. or

us or give further recommendations.

HERE ARE SOME ADVANTAGES OF BEING ACCREDITED:

M.Div. which proves that they have studied enough to be capable leaders.
2. Must be several men with Ph.D. or

1. It sets and keeps a standard of

excellence in teaching.

other advanced degrees so that we have a Bible College and not just a Sunday
School.

2. It attracts the best young men to Bible

study because their work is transferrable. 3. It provides as good an education for any young man as he would get in the
states at a fraction of the cost.

4. It keeps each young man in his own

culture and saves countless -young men

3. A library with enough books so that independent research can be done and term papers properly prepared. 4. Sufficient visual aids and equipment for a good job of teaching. 5. Adequate classrooms and dormitories so that students can be well prepared for
the ministry.

for the ministry who might go overseas and never return or who would come back
cultural misfits.

6. A program of outreach so as to give the maximum practical training to each

student.

5. By being accredited by the Bible

WHAT DOES ACCREDITED MEAN IN ASIA?

The A.T.A. of which we are a member is the Asia Accrediting Association. It is like the

Bible College Accrediting Association of America. There is one for Europe, South America,
Africa and Asia. Many of our mission fields who wanted to send students to us for training could do so and know they would return and be accepted in their own country. The same standard of training that they would get in a denominational school in their own place can
be imparted by us now.

WE NOW OFFER FOUR PROGRAMS

1. A two year certificate course for those who do not have a high school diploma.
2. The Gth course, a four year standard course like in American Bible Colleges but with no foreign language or outside exams except Greek and Hebrew.

3. The Bachelor of Theology course. This is the university level course for four years equal

to any Bible Collegein the U.S. or even more advanced. This course includes practical
experience as well as academic training.

4. The B.D. course, same as M.Div. in the states. This course is from two to three years, and the person taking it must be graduate of a recognized college or university.

-1

Pat and Doris Wilson are

NEWS ITEMS
WE WELCOME Harry Schaefer as a

shown pack ing books to be shipped to

Southern Asia Christian Col

special professor in the College. He will

conduct two seminars a year. The first

one this year will be on House Churches.

The second will be on Pastoral

lege. couple

This from

Counselling. Harry and Lillie will also

work in Orissa and Andhra. We are thrilled to have this association with Harry in the college program.

the Old Union Church of Christ near

Danville, Illi nois, have packed and

Dr. V. Gynasagnamie of Bide Students Publications joins S.A.C.C. staff in the

field of Christian Doctrine. This man has

had vast experience in translating all the

works of Prof. Don DeWelt into Tamil as

shipped over two tons of books. They are eagerly waiting for you to send more. The college must have more books to upgrade the library to help meet standards set by the accrediting committee. Write us for a
book list!

well as his own original research into how Hindu leaders accept Christ. This

training could never be duplicated in the

states as it fits the Indian preacher for
Indian conditions.

Below, Ruth Morris and librarian, Wesley, are sorting books in college library.

One of the most outstanding professors on Hinduism in India, Dr. P. David, is our

professor ofreligions on a part time basis.

Dr. David studied in Harvard as well as

in many Hindu universities.

AN INVITATION IS EXTENDED to

foreign students who are interested in

mission work but do not know which field

they want. Come as a student for a year, learn as an apprentice, then choose your field. Write if you are interested. EVA BEAN FREEZES AT PYTHON
elephant after breakfast. We took the ride " five minutes for 8 rupees ($1.00).
Later we took a three wheel vehicle to

As we flew out of New York on March 24, 1981,1 had many thoughts of what India would be like, such as the many animals.
Snakes I dreaded most.

Our first three days were spent sight seeing in New Delhi and Agra before going on to Madras. When we awoke six hours later, I saw a beautifully decorated elephant walking around outside our window. Immediately my husband said that we must ride that

many temples and museums and then to a zoo. Just outside the gate were three lads sitting on the ground with their pet
snakes in round baskets. One blew a horn

and the cobra slowly came up. As I looked, I curiously asked the guide ifthey would bite the boys. He explained their fangs had been removed. So no problem!

I became brave enough to walk closer. As I stood between the boys stooping down, one boy took a python (which I had not seen around his neck) and placed it around

my neck. I was speechless and not able to move out offear. Ben quickly got a picture and later told me that pythons don't bite -they just crush you to death.

TREMENDOUS CHURCH GROWTH IN INDIA CAUSES LEADERSHIP CRISIS

IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN 60,000 SOULS ADDED TO THE LORD AND 250 NEW CHURCHES STARTED. OPPORTUNITIES ARE EVERYWHERE. WE COULD

EASILY HAVE 10,000 ADDITIONS EACH AND EVERY YEAR. BUT ---WE DON'T HAVE THE
TRAINED LEADERS TO TEACH AND TRAIN AND NURTURE THE NEW CHRISTIANS.

Our goal has been 100,000 members, and we have now well exceeded that number.
EVANGELISM HAS TO HALT WHILE WE TRAIN NEW LEADERS. WILL YOU HELP US WITH THIS TASK OF TRAINING SO WE CAN GET A FULL EVANGELISTIC PROGRAM BACK
INTO ACTION?

OUR IMMEDIATE NEED: 200 NEW PREACHERS AND LEADERS!

In the beginning it was easier to train the leaders as so much was not required of them.
Most of our church members were illiterate, landless laborers. But now that the church has

been blessed by God and grown into a middle class church, we need better qualified leaders.

Among the ranks of the church now are doctors, teachers, policemen, business people, and
craftsmen of all trades. Even government officers in one district are now members of the church. This is a great victory, but also a great challenge. In the beginning a man need only sing, pray and preach. ? z o g* - But today he must be a high school S 9 g s: i graduate with recognized Bible 2 Q. < Q, 1 d cco' U training and with special courses in oz, ^ counselling and guidance.
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FOOD AND BOOKS FOR EACH YOUNG

PREACHER NOW COST $15.00 A MONTH. This does not include salaries and staff training. OUR NEED NOW IS FOR 100 INDIVIDUALS, CLASSES OR
CHURCHES TO SPONSOR 100 YOUNG MEN FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS -SOME FOUR YEARS.

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FULL COST $25.00 A MONTH.

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FOOD & BOOKS ONLY $15.00 A

MONTH.

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IF YOU WILL TAKE THIS PROJECT,

WRITE US. LABEL YOUR GIFT

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"Seminary Student."

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the

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India
Forwarding Agent:
O. Eugene Houpt
P.O. Box 215

Challenger
Missionaries: Art & Ruth Morris

phones:
Home 217-442-6736

11 Rutland Gate 4th Street Madras, India 600006

Danville. IL- 61832

Office 217-446-1542

Volume 31

October, 1981

Number 3

A HISTORY OF THE BOYS' HOMES OF INDIA By Ruth Morris

Art and I, along with our small son, David, moved to the village areas in 1951. We had

studied the language for one year and were able to communicate some with'the people. A
translator came to our rescue and stayed on with us as a Bible teacher for seven years.

each Sunday, there was no one in the village to lead the worship services. It was so sad to see these poor new converts. They were like sheep without a shepherd.

Art was totally involved in the preacher training program, and I was needed in the home. So I spent most of the time near the
house. We started with a thatch roof mud

As we drove back to the mission compound in our old jeep, we determined to find an answer to this urgent problem. Our preachers were so few and the churches and preaching points were so plentiful. We had a good group of

building and later graduated to a cement block house. Then we felt safer from the daily fight with the snakes.
At this time there was a severe drought and many of the Christians from the villages brought their children to me. I could not resist the plea that we help these poor, starving children. But we had a problem as to how we
would care for them.

young men in Bible School, but they were in no way ready to go out and preach. Our first thought was to ask a boy to lead the services if
no man was available. Since our churches

were then in a 30 mile radius of our station, it seemed like a possible solution. Here is where the idea of the Boys' Home was born. We had some boys and there were so many more homeless boys who had been to school for one, two or three years. So we gathered them together and started Home No.
1.

During this time, Art and I were out in the new Christian villages on evangelistic meetings. We were so saddened at the plight of the new
converts. There was not a Christian who

could read or write in most of the villages. If the preacher had to work in five or six villages

It was hard at first as the boys were wanderers and would not stay in the home regularly. Neither would they stay in school or any one

place. Little by little they got the idea. They

THE INDIA CHALLENGER is a quarterly publication of the South India Church of Christ Mission. Please note addresses for missionaries and forwarding agent elsewhere in the publication.

went to the government school to study their les sons. Then we taught them from the Bible and taught them some songs so they could help in the churches on the weekends. They would tell what Christianity had done for them, and they would help win many other young people to Christ.
The government had divided Andhra State at this

Boys at prayer.

time, and the Telegu boys had no place to study. To help this situation we started Home No. 2. As the needs arose, we started other homes. Now we have eight homes.
We asked for no support for the children from 1954 to 1968. Finally, so many children came that we saw we could not do justice to them without outside help. We were on leave in the U.S. in 196869 and visited First Christian Church at Odon, Indiana. At that time their good minister, Charles Wogman, helped interest the congregation in making this work a main project of the Odon Church. They have carried it on all these many years and have helped thousands. Some of our children have died for they had starved for too long before they came to us. Others had been abused by cruel masters and uncaring relatives. But over 1300 have lived and grown into fine
adults.

Boys digging well for

new Girls' Home.

Four

little

beauties

from Girls" Home,

Those plucky young boys who came in the early years became our second family and went with us everywhere. Today these young men are a strong bulwark in the whole mission. Some are working in the Bible Colleges, Christian Hospital and the children's homes. Others are employed by the government, the police department and many companies. But they never lost their love for God's work. Each new generation must be taught, and then the church will be strong and active.
Two of the eight homes are for girls only. India has strict segregation of the sexes, and to put the children together would break the culture of South India. Our elementary girls are in Madrapakkam. They are the ones in need of a new home. The nice house we rented for so long is no longer available

Boys at study.

X
potential of the children. Most of the children

speak enough English to help visitors get through

the daily life, and all sing some English songs.
We are working on self support for our homes. The first step is our farm. We have four acres under intensive cultivation aided by a deep well. We grow all our chillies and many ofour egg plant and tomatoes. The children need vegetables, but due to

to us. The high school girls are in Madras City where they are able to attend a fine Christian high
school.

the high cost in the market, it is better to grow our own. Next we will be producing rice, fire wood and additional vegetables. The children gladly help with the work, but they are quite busy since school
is in session 11 months.

Each home could easily use an American couple or a single person full time to really develop the full

We have completed 27 years of caring for homeless boys and girls. Over 1300 children have been rescued, helped and guided on the right paths in

Some come on motorcycles. Others drive trucks or buses. These are the vehicles they use in their jobs.
Learning to sew and
embroider.

Still there are thousands of villages with no hope or vision. So the task must go on.
Recently we were privileged to have a visit from Dr. Donald McGavran, the great leader in church growth. This 80 year young gentleman has probably travelled more, spoken more and seen more of evangelism than anyone in our genera
tion. Here is his statement:

Elementary girls on
way to school.

"Morris, I believe you and your good wife have found the key to evangelism and church planting. It is starting children's homes and training a
whole generation of church leaders. 1 was born in India over 80 years ago and looked on orphans' work as a good idea, not as a tool of evangelism. I have found that all over the world where people like you come and start homes and train leaders, then the church will always be strong. But where no homes are started and just evangelism is done, then after the missionary leaves, the church soon
dies too."

Lunch lor the girls.

Accepting Christ and

being baptized.

In all the homes Bible courses are taught. Last year we had a great emphasis on prayers and songs, both personal and public. This year all the
children are studying the Work Book of Christian Doctrine by Dampier. It has been translated into

Tamil and Telegu. The children are memorizing

scriptures pertaining to the plan ofsalvation. The

children all know the Bible and appreciate all it

these years. It has been one of the largest out
pourings of love that we have ever seen in our
has done for their lives.

lives. Month after month, year after year, so many have sent their offerings with love to help these
homeless children. Those who were sold as bond slaves are now

There are no children in this world so charming and so sweet as the Indian child. They are very bright, alert and eager to please. Their smile with bright white teeth and flashing brown eyes reach
to the heart of all who meet them. Thousands of

respected citizens of the community and rear their own children in the Christian way. To us the proof of the work is that there are no repeat cases. No second generation children, sons and daughters of our former children, have ever come in need of
admittance.

homeless children spend all day trying to find something to eat. In the city we find young boys who should be in school. Instead they are picking up bits of paper and rags which they sell for almost nothing in an effort to get a full meal.
Our homes have never been known as

Our boys earn for their families and pass on the good training to others. Many of our "old boys" have jobs in responsible positions, and when we have "Old Boys Days", they come in many ways.

orphanages. Our homes are just that -- a home providing a place for a needy child. Some will
have a mother but no father. He will either have

died or

run away from the family.

The

mother will be left to support her children. Her only source of income will be field work for which she will be paid only 25 to 40 cents a day. Then the child needs help both for daily
food and education.

the same reason as the Boys' Homes were started. There were no educated girls in the village to lead the church. There still is as much need for homes for the girls as for the boys. We hope someone will come and help
care for the additional homes. Education for

We have divided our houses into small units so the children can have more individual care.

girls in the villages is so bad that we consider this an urgent need. The usual reason we give for teaching girls is that they need to read the Bible. While this is a good reason, an even greater reason for girls to study is that they are human beings who
need a chance to use their talents to make a better world.

Today the eight homes are scattered over an area of 400 miles. Those who help in the home

are generally former residents themselves. They give of their time sacriiicially and
lovingly.

The Girls' Home opened about 12 years ago for

NEEDS OF THE HOMES

1. Support for the 62 boys and girls who have no supporters. We now have 450 children,
and 388 have sponsors.

WHO TO CONTACT
If you want to support a child or send help for the projects, write to Boys' Home of India,
First Christian Church, Race and Spring Streets, Odon, Indiana 47562. Other inquiries may be directed to the above or to Ruth Morris, 11 Rutland Gate, Madras, India 600006.

2. Used clothing for boys and girls. For the boys: cotton shirts and pants, jeans or cutoffs, wash & wear garments and double knits. For the girls: cotton material for their long skirts, two yards each. 3. Library fund for all the homes. They have no extra reading material at all. Any amount from $100 per home up.
4. A medical fund of $100 a month for each of

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the eight homes. 5. A building and compound for the Girls' Home at Madrapakkam. We bought and paid for the land. One acre cost $2,000, and
it is fenced and registered. We need a home

for 100 girls first of all. The second stage of building will include a kitchen, laundry, bath house and bore pump with taps and
showers. We estimate this cost at $2,500.

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The third stage of building would be a compound wall around the one acre plot to
assure the safety and well being of the
children. This would cost $1,750.00.

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you can't help with a large amount, please help us buy 1,000 bricks with a single gift.

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//s%

the

India

Challenger
Missionaries: Art & Ruth Morris n Rutland Gate 4th Street

Forwarding Agent: D. Eugene Houpt

P.O. Box 215

phones:
Home 217-442-6736 Office 217-446-1542

Madras, India 600006

Danville, IL. 61832

Volume 31

December, 1981

Number 4

CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL
Ju8t ten weeks after we arrived in South India

the hospital work began under the name of Church of Christ Mission Hospital and Leprosy Clinic. This was August, 1950. We did not plan to do medical work. We had come to India to preach the glorious news of Jesus
Christ as Saviour to mankind. After we

Christian llospilal
iniim

arrived in India, we saw the terrible needs of the people. We knew that without giving medical help we could not get the message of
the risen Christ across.

The people where we located were so poor and backward. They could get an infection in the
morning and be dead by evening. The dust,
heat and lack of the most elemental care

contributed to a terrific problem that caused us to open our eyes in this direction. Also, there had been a famine of many years. Food was off the markets. People were dying in the streets. Many organizations were trying to help, but they could hardly make a start. The overwhelming masses of people and the lack
of food and water all added to the confusion.

The medical work (although we hardly called it that in the beginning) was badly needed. We started helping people in a mud and thatch church building. We only had two wash
basins, a bucket and $2.00 worth of medicine.

maternity cases grew as there was no care for these poor mothers-to-be at all - no vitamins, checkups or other necessary aids. When the child was delivered, an old woman from the village would help the mother. The mother would be put back into the almost airless room, and the old woman knew nothing of cleanliness. We had met a young nurse who agreed to help and advise us. She was later joined by a doctor. Although he could not operate, he could help us in the countless thousands of cases we were having. The organization CROP (or Casa as it is known in India) helped us with wheat, milk powder, oil and other things that came from the USA to help feed the poor and helpless. Our first hospital building was mud and thatch. It cost only $35.00 and included three beds and a medicine cupboard. This cupboard was wood, so we constantly fought with the rats, scorpions, roaches and snakes that tried
to use it for their home also.

But we had youth, zeal and a willingness to help anyone who needed help (that is, if we could help). First there were simple cuts, simple skin sores,
worms, eye infections and fevers. The

THEINDIA CHALLENGER is a quarterly publication of the South India Church of Christ Mission. Please noteaddressesfor
missionaries and forwarding agent elsewhere in the publication.

Although we lived in a primitive place and used primitive buildings and equipment, from the very first day the hospital became a place of healing and life-giving hope. So many people had no hope. Many families had one child born each year and one die each year. Tuberculosis and leprosy were major problems. Malnutrition was the way of life. Thus, you get a picture of the place where the work began and the people we tried to help.

Physiotherapy
patients.

leprosy

Staff doctor examining a female

leprosy patient.

Now that we have been working with this hospital for 31 years we would like to share with you the events

and progress through those years. This report lists the progress during each term of service.
FIRST TERM (1950-1955): came. A constant flow of visitors (about 40

1. Four more beds added to the hospital. 2. Maternity center added. Lines of people came
for treatment.

per year) have come from America since that

time.

3. Part time doctor added.

He was a retired

Christian government official. 4. An organized system to have regular treatment fot 100 surrounding villages was
established.

4. Leprosy operations became routine. Doctors came from the great Vellore Hospital and operated under very difficult conditions. Staff grew until we had three doctors and 30
other workers.

SECOND TERM (1956-1962): By the time we went to the States on our first fur lough, there had been a dramatic growth in hos pital work. We were now ready for still more
advancement.

FIFTH & SIXTH TERMS (1976 until now, December 1981): 1. R.E.A.P. of California gave three shipments of equipment to make us a modern hospital. We are still working to get this material set
up.

1. Hospital moved from village to permanent 10-acre compound. 2. Leprosy work was started and became accredited by the government of India. 3. Village health program started and over 200 villages reached. 4. Received gift foods for hospital. This included wheat, rice, oil, milk powder, cheese and used clothing.
5. Full time doctor and three nurses were

2. Indian government gave us permission for rehabilitation center for lepers. Government gave five mini health centers to help villages still too backward for regular doctors or
medical units.

3. Andhra Government gave increased centers of S.E.T. units. We are busy working these

out, getting staff enough to cover the centers and all the survey and paper work that goes
with it.

employed.

Also added paramedics, driver

4. We report over 20,000 cured cases of leprosy

in 22 years.

and ward boys. 6. Started roadside clinics and had over 1,000 leprosy cases in our care. THIRD TERM (1963-1968): 1. Leprosy work started on massive scale. Physiotherapy added. 2. Hospital became National Leprosy Control
Unit and we had ten S.E.T. units.

HOW HOSPITAL WORK MAKES EVANGELISM POSSIBLE

When people have no hope of recovery from disease, they become bitter and unhappy. But when they see the Christian staff working and praying with them and trying in every possible way to stop their suffering, they too begin to pray and sing Christian songs.
One of the most thrilling sights to be seen in the

3. Community health service program really

grew.

FOURTH TERM (1969-1975): 1. We met Dr. Pruett and joined with F.A.M.E.

2. Began $100,000.00 hospital program. Hospital was dedicated October 2, 1973. Judge Milford Anness and wife Marie were present for that occasion. 3. Many Americans arrived in India and visited hospital. In one tour group 78 Americans

hospital is the devotional time of the patients. Lepers who have lost their fingers and have other handicaps and disfigurements, sing with loud voices their praise and adoration to God. They are believers and have a strong sense of how God has

helped them through His Son, Jesus. Their faces beam with joy and Christian iove.
We want to share with you the testimony of one leper named J oseph. J ust two weeks ago there was great sadness in the hospital. This Joseph, the first high caste convert and one of the most famous patients, had just passed away. Joseph literally won hundreds to Christ and was a man respected by all who knew him.
Many years ago we went back into a very remote place looking for leprosy cases. The villagers

brought this man out. He was Munuswamy, the brother of the head man of the village. They told
us to take this man and make him well, and if we could do this, then they would bring all their people to us. It surely looked like a hopeless case, but we took him in our Jeep and prayed for him. His feet were both gone just dry bones - and he had not walked for years. We took Munuswamy to the Christian Mission Hospital as they have so much equipment. He stayed in Vellore (the finest leprosy hospital in India) for 10 months. They did a really marvelous work on him. There were six operations and skin grafts. Finally he had useable
feet and could walk.

truly difficult cases arrive. It is touch and go by the devoted staff workers, but most of the babies are delivered safely. The ordinary cases are handled at home in the village, but more and more of these mothers are coming to the Christian Hospital. They come in bullock carts from long distances, and we wonder at the stamina of the mother. Not only the mother and father come, but also members of the family who must also help the mother after the birth. Our staff will , work throughout the night when necessary. No thought is taken of time or personal interests. Quite often the lights are all out, so all work has to be done by the kerosene lights. Also cloths and instruments
are boiled over a kerosene fire. At other times all

the lights are on, and it is a pleasure to do the work. Our new hospital is built of stone. In the heat of summer it is the coolest place to be.
* * * * *

During this time, there was a remarkable change -in. Munuswamy. He began to believe in Jesus Christ and would hobble down to the chapel every day. If he had his right foot in a cast, then he
would walk on the left one. If the left foot was in a

In such a hospital as ours we find a lot of gangrene cases, blood poisoning and amputation. There are suicide patients, T.B., anemia, unusual skin diseases and all the general cases including elephantiasis (where the leg grows as big as the leg of an elephant). We find the laboratory busy with checking the blood samples from out patient clinics. Boys' Home needs, and the general public. It is becoming an increasingly popular place. We can do 22 different tests, and this is a unique
service for this area.

cast, he would walk on the right one. Then one day a terrible thing happened. Both feet were in cast and he had no way to get to the chapel. So he rolled
off the bed and fell on the floor. Then he rolled

In the physiotherapy department we find the staff making plaster splints and casts to help deformities of the lepers. Ankiah, himself a patient, will be cutting up tires and finding leather to make shoes for the patients. As they cannot feel pain, it is so important that they are not exposed to stress and places where
wounds will come.

down the corridor and was trying to roll to a corner of the chapel. The Canadian nurse saw him. She
was so amazed that she wrote to us. After that, she

sent him down by wheel chair until the cast came off. He returned to our hospital, and I had the privilege of baptizing him into Christ. He started a church among the lepers and high caste people and preached there for 12 years. Now he is with us no more, but what a great friend he has been to all. When he was baptized, his name was changed to Joseph, and he was the greatest friend of all lepers. How many of us would have risked our back to roll off the sick bed just to go to church? Jesus was so real to Joseph. May we have more like him.
Thousands of incidents of this nature have

The tailor, also an ex-patient, tries to make shirts to size, puts together some kind of cloth that will make a sheet and looks after general repairs. We would also remember the ward boys who are ex-patients. They give good service in the hospital.
Outside of the hospital we have an excellent

garden. Friends firom the USA have donated a bore well pump (electric). We have many interesting vegetables here as well as a herb garden. Many things are still needed. Cement is unobtainable now. We have had to stop work until it is again released. Thousands ofleprosy patients are waiting for operations, so there is plenty of
work yet to come.

happened because of the hospital. Evangelism is very real to one and all who work there. Further down the corridor from the leprosy patients, we will fmd the maternity section. Only

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

1. Send bandages. These are made from sheets of any color and rolled in strips one or two inches wide. Ulcer patients use these in large quantities. 2. Send shirts for hospital cases. Not only for the in-patients, but for the roadside men as well. They have no way to earn or get clothing. 3. DDS, a Diamone Dipthone Solphone
tablet. The American tablets are so much

14. Quilts and blankets for the patients during cold season. When it rains, they have no immunity to cold and dampness. This is pitiful to see. 15. Baby clothes, baby blankets, layette sets of any color or description. We have no clothes for the babies born in the hospital. ' Can use diapers, plastic panties, plastic
sheets, etc.
SPECIAL MAILING INFORMATION:

better as there is no reaction to them. They

come in bottles of 100, and we need at least 20,000 tablets.

In the past we have asked that you send these items directly to India. Now the postage cost is prohibitive. Send all items to the Danville,
Illinois office. Then all items for India will be

4. Sponsorship for staff. Doctors get $125 per month; a nurse gets $75.00 per month; the paramedical workers get $45.00 a month. They are badly needed. Ward boys get $25.00 per month. 5. Petrol (gasoline) for the roadside clinics. Gas is now more than $3.00 per gallon. It takes five gallons per trip and three trips per week. 6. Sponsorship for village midwives. For the three month training it costs only $40.00. They will be trained with white dress,
scissors, and basic health needs and
medicines. 7. Antibiotics for the month which runs to

crated and shipped by ocean freight. Please use the following address for all packages unless you prefer paying the higher rate for direct mailing to India:
South India Church of Christ Mission

c/o Houpt Insurance Service

711 N. Gilbert St.

Danville, Illinois 61832.

We have UPS delivery to our office every day, and their service is usually available to most of you. Continue to use the post office box
address for all other mail.

$150. The prices in India for antibiotics are only about 1/10 of American prices. 8. Plaster of Paris. For the leprosy patients the splints and casts are so essential. A gift of $10 per week or $40 per month will take care of over 100 leprosy cases. 9. Vitamin injections for leprosy cases run $50.00 per week. Leprosy destroys the body strength, and so the patients must have additional vitamin supply.
10. T.B. medicine which will cost $20.00 a

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11. Sample medicines from your doctor. Any medicine samples that you might have that are useful for the patients. We have a medicine book which gives the names of the American drugs and how to use them. 12. Any hospital gowns, nurse uniforms, doctor coats, ward boy coats or any used small hospital equipment. 13. Bed sheets and pillow cases for 80 beds.
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