The outside world calls them "tribal people", which under the Hindu caste system are part of the "Scheduled Tribes". Although we minister to many people and believers who are from that caste background, these children and Sister Rangamma (some of the children's grandmother who has come to the Lord) are part of the tribal people who tend to migrate from place to place looking for work. We tried to get some of the children into a private school, but they are not accustomed to structure or discipline, so they quit. The main problem is the adults, and more particularly the fathers, who don't see the importance of education. After all, the adults "are doing fine", so why do the children need anything better, even though most of the fathers are alcoholics, keeping their families in a life-cycle of poverty and idolatry. Thankfully, a few of the people (at least 4 adults) have come to the Lord, and are trying to encourage the children in a better way. It seems that this tribal group has been able to find work in local areas for several years, so we still have opportunity to visit them and share JESUS with them. Please pray for us as we minister, and for these "tribal" families, all living in huts and poverty.
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