The Impact of Your Support
“Give, and you will receive. You will be given much…” Luke 6:38 ICB
The Impact of YOUR support can be seen in the following report from the ICC Sweet Home Children’s Village in India. Thank you for helping to make these experiences possible!
A Celebration of Faith: Baptism Service
Sweet Home celebrated a profound spiritual milestone as three of our young people publicly declared their faith. Having accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, the three young men took the sacred step of baptism. Adding to the joy of the occasion, the service was administered by Pastor Timothy, a proud alumnus of Sweet Home. Watching a former student return to baptize the next generation of believers was a deeply moving experience for the entire campus community.
Learning and Leisure: Vibrant Summer Activities
Summer vacation at the campus was filled with laughter, learning, and meaningful bonding as the children spent quality time with their siblings. To keep their minds and hands active, Sweet Home hosted a variety of specialized workshops, including Music, Computer Literacy, English, Local Language proficiency, and Tailoring classes. The children embraced these new skills with great enthusiasm. The summer wasn’t all work, though; unforgettable field trips to the local beach and a nearby swimming pool offered the perfect, refreshing escape from the summer heat.
Leading the Way: The Pathfinders Induction Ceremony
The Sweet Home Pathfinder program recently experienced an exciting milestone during a formal induction ceremony. Nearly 40 of our children have officially joined the club this year. The program is under the expert guidance of Sweet Home alumnus, Pastor Moses. Serving alongside him as Deputy Director is another alumnus, Mr. Udai. The highlight of the beautiful ceremony was when one of our Sweet Home children was chosen to light the ceremonial candle on the main stage, symbolizing the bright future ahead for these young leaders.
Fortifying Our Home: The South Garden Wall Project
For some time, a broken structure along the south side of our garden posed a significant safety hazard for our children. Recognizing the urgent need for a secure perimeter, the Sweet Home family prayed for a solution. What a blessing it is that a generous donor stepped forward to fund the project. Construction is currently underway on a brand-new garden wall, which will restore total security to the campus and ensure our children have a safe, protected environment in which to play and grow.
Pedal Power: New Bicycles Bring Endless Smiles
To make the summer break even more memorable, the campus purchased a fleet of brand-new bicycles for the children. The new wheels instantly became the biggest hit on campus. The older children have taken great pride in teaching their younger siblings how to ride, fostering patience and teamwork. The campus pathways are now regularly filled with the sounds of laughter as the children spend their free time racing around and sharing the joy of their new rides.
Cultivating Character: The Sunday Work Program
While our children diligently manage their daily household chores throughout the week, Sundays are reserved for a special campus work program. Every Sunday morning, the children head out to the garden to work side-by-side with their house fathers. Together, they plough the land and tend to the crops to boost the campus harvest. Far from viewing it as labor, the children genuinely enjoy this outdoor time. The garden has become a space for storytelling, where children happily recount their favorite memories from the past week while working the soil.
Spreading Kindness: Sabbath Afternoon Visits
Sweet Home firmly believes in teaching the children the value of community elders. On Sabbath afternoons, the children are encouraged to visit retired families living nearby. During these visits, the young people bring immense joy to the elderly by singing a few uplifting hymns and offering heartfelt prayers for their health and well-being. The children always return to the campus buzzing with excitement, eager to share how much happiness and comfort they saw reflected in the eyes of those they visited.
