By Lise Vilas
This past February, Mary Carrillo, Andrea Cochran and I, Traveled to India to spend time with the beautiful Children of Faith Missions (“COFM”) family. It was the first time there for Mary, and the fifth time over the years, separately, for both Andrea and me.
We joined the COF children and staff, on a field trip to the Salsons Retreat Resort. The field trip was hosted by the resort owner, who, as a doctor with an on-site health clinic team, had met and been impressed by the children at COFM. The lovely resort sported a low ground rope bridge, tree house with net ladder, multi-person swings and other giant playground equipment, perfect for COFM family. All COFM guests were treated to a very generous and tasty lunch. Upon leaving the resort, we all hiked along Tatipudi Reservoir and dam, and enjoyed icicles (ice cream treats).
On Sunday, Mary, Andrea and I joined the children and local parishioners at New Life Church a couple doors down from the Children’s Home. Later, we joined Rosie and Anand at Faith Home Church. Anand is the pastor at both churches. We joined Rosie in singing “Amazing Grace” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” for the congregations.
While at the home, we helped the children create lovely Easter cards for their sponsors. We were able to sneak a peek at the end product of the children’s efforts and can tell you that sweetness shines through their artwork and messages.
At Rosie’s request, Mary, shared yoga poses with the girls, and separately, to the teachers. The boys were also taught some strength conditioning of yoga after we left. Going forward, the teachers will have the students do standing stretches as a quick break for the body, to stimulate the blood flow during the school day.
I introduced and trained the current primary grade children in how to phonetically sound out words using the ZooPhonics teaching system. The students quickly and enthusiastically picked up on the ZooPhonics alphabet, reading English words with relative ease by the end of the week.
As always, we shared savory Indian style meals each day. We witnessed beautiful sunsets every evening as we relaxed with the children, and the love from and joy of the children there filled us up. It tugged heavily on our hearts when it was time to say good-bye. It is a privilege to see Children of Faith at work transforming lives of the children there.
I have had the privilege to sponsor a young girl, Uma, since 2013 when she was the shy girl hiding behind Anand struggling to find the courage to accept my well meant hug. She is now 17 years old and over the years I’ve seen her grow into this confident young woman full of potential. She’s able to follow her dreams going to Junior College pursuing an Agricultural Engineering degree at the Junior College in town. I could not be more proud of her
— Andrea Cochran
Children excel when given the opportunity to grow and explore in a safe and loving environment
You can help Children of Faith continue transforming lives with excellent care and education even if you can’t travel to India. Help us support some of India’s most vulnerable children by sponsoring a child.
