A very hectic day for some of those who have been released and are back in regular activities with the Hope Home Calcutta (although they are not allowed to live-in full time there). Ruth was busy with meeting officials of the Minorities Commission, Martha and Salomi with their school admissions formalities, Amit returned back to school after two weeks, Grace helped us restart our school program with lesser number of students and during the afternoons...and Dev trying to streamline the processes that make us the Hope Home Calcutta...pray for children still confined by the authorities. Pray especially for Rachel, who was forcibly taken away by her family members after she was released - back to the Muslim slum in the second largest red-light area of Calcutta. She was in tears and although we pleaded with them to let her return, some of the male relatives were adamant. Pray for God to move in a mighty way and enable Rachel to be back with us instead of forcibly being kept in that horrendous place by her relatives against her wishes.

Posting two photographs of Ruth and Marth..smile of freedom and relief after three weeks of tears and sorrow!

Just a quick note and a good one - Ruth, Rachel, Martha and Amit were released by the social welfare authorities this afternoon! Amit would restart his schooling tomorrow and Ruth assume her responsibilities from tomorrow afternoon. We would file complaints with the Human Rights Commission tomorrow against the holding back of Sumila...pray for wisdom and grace and insights...more news to follow tomorrow

At the St. James' Church this morning (April 15). Grace, Salomi, Guria and Dorothy were able to meet up and fellowship with Ruth, Sumila, Martha, Rachel, Esther and Naomi...it was good to see the girls smile and relax after 3 horrendous weeks...the guys have their interned home quite a distance away and were not able to join for the Sunday worship. We would be visiting them later this evening and keep all of you posted. Please pray for ALL the boys and girls to be released TOMORROW, APRIL 16

Not all but at least some of the Hope Home Calcutta family is being restored one by one...today at the small house of my mom where the vision of the Hope Home Calcutta was initiated 12 years back...

A mixture of good and sad news...the children from Nagaland - Lum, Kezia, Lydia, Mary, Luke and LEAH were sent back to Nagaland by the social welfare people. They would arrive Saturday morning. We have made contingency plans to relocate them in Calcutta very soon, especially the two smaller ones! Cannot make the plans public at present by seek your earnest prayers and chains of prayers for them as we plan out their welfare, education, music and future. We need God's direction and help every step.

Pray also for Ruth and Sumila, who had initially volunteered to stay on for Leah, Esther and Naomi's sake. They are now being troubled in being released and need URGENT PRAYERS...it has been emotionally very, very stressful.

We have plans to restart our school program from Tuesday, April 17 but in the afternoons between 3 and 7 p.m. We would still be able to provide dinner for the children at 7 and continue with their present level of education. Pray that the particular license that would enable us to regularize the school timings in the morning would be issued soon.

There is so much to pray for. There is also so much to be thankful for already. Please be patient with us. God has NOT given up on us yet...

Supriyo, who is now our Administrator was able to visit the guys yesterday afternoon carrying foodstuff etc. The authorities at the place where the boys are housed are very cooperative. They had a good time of fun, sharing and fellowship and Supriyo was able to encourage them. Keep praying for today as some of our children from Nagaland including LEAH are scheduled to be released today. Pray also for Ruth also as she seeks to come out now and continue with her responsibilities with the music project. Pray that God would over-rule all obstacles and difficulties and facilitate her and Sumila (both over 19) to come out and help us in the contingency planning. 

Grace, Guria and Dorothy (Dolon) at the Hope Home Calcutta this morning. Grace, at 18 and on staff can stay on. Children below 18 would not be permitted to live full time till such time they grant us the license. As already mentioned, the government department lost our original applications filed in November 2006 and have now insisted that we file a fresh application.


We are trying to return to some sense of normalcy - Grace has renewed her dance classes and Dorothy her piano lessons. 


We are extremely disappointed though that although Ruth and Sumila volunteered to stay on at the present interim Home (government sponsored), when they did ask permission to leave yesterday, the authorities refused - although it is illegal to confine any adult over 18 against her/his wished. We were able to file their complaint withe the Minorities Commission this morning and also have a conference with the solicitors this evening. Please continue to pray for justice to prevail and God to move in a supernatural way in these difficult times. Pray for healing - body, emotions, spirit... for all of the children