In October 2003, I met Pastor P.G. Vargis at a prayer meeting, and learned about his ministry in India.  Pastor Vargis had pictures of some of the childred in IET Children’s Homes who needed sponsors.  As I looked at the pictures, I wasdrawn to a picture of a six-year-old boy named Reuben.  He had the most beautiful smile, and he completely captured my heart.  At home that evening, I cried and prayed for Reuben, and I knew that God wanted me to do something.
    When I contacted the IET office, asking for more information about Reuben, I learned that his father had died and his mother had abandoned him and his older sister.  I became his sponsor, and started sending money each month to help with the cost of his care.
    Reuben was never out of my thoughts or prayers.  God prompted me to pray without ceasing for this child…and I asked my family and friends to pray for him also.
    I felt that God wanted me to be an encouraging presence in Reuben’s life, so I started writing to him.  In December, I wanted to do something special for all the children in the Bell Children’s Home in Siliguri where reuben lived.  So I sent gifts to all the children for Christmas.  One month later, I received my greatest gift-pictures of all of the boys in the Bell home and handwritten thank-you letters from each of them.  At that moment, I fell in love with each and every boy in the home.
    God gave me a growing desire to go to India to see these precious children that I now considered my sons.  And in December 2004, God made it possible.  My husband, Thomas, took time from his job as Scientific Affairs Manager for Abbot Laboratories, to accompany me and our three children to Siliguri to meet our extended family.
    When we arrived at Bell Children’s Home, all of the boys sang for us, and then Reuben came forward and welcomed each of us with a necklace of paper flowers.  I could not contain my emotions.  I was inspired by the faith of these children and their love for God.  I admired their tenacity and determination to overcome their circumstances.  I watched in awe their discipline, intelligence, talents, and true love for God.  I loved watching them praise and worship the Lord because it truly came from their hearts.
    I was especially touched by Kamal, a little boy who insisted on giving his only rupee to my children so they could buy candy for themselves.  The selflessness of this child and his love for others was a real testimony to the goodness of God…and to the selfless, devoted care and teaching of Pastor Sahu, the pastor in charge of these children, and his staff.
    Before visiting the children in India, I felt badly for them and the circumstances that had taken them away from their families.  I now know that the Bell Children’s Home is one of God’s greatest blessings to these children.  They have a good home, good food, an education, a new family self-respect, and a faith in Jesus Christ.
    I am truly a blessed woman.  I went to India to be a blessing to these children, but God turned it around and made them an unbelievable blessing to me…and to my family.  Our three and a half days with these children was the highlight of our entire trip to India-and we are praying that we’ll be able to go back very soon.
    -Susan Koshy