India Partnership
Christ's Evangelical Mission, Dowlasiswaram, India
In December of 2000, a few people stood on the vacant field in Dowlaiswaram, India, pictured below, and prayed, asking God to help us secure this property and turn it into a place of love and hope for the poor of the community.
It was a prayer that God was delighted to answer. The picture below is that same field, taken in February of 2003. Now, nearly 10 years after that first prayer, CEM has indeed become a place of hope for many of the poor and sick of this region. Our work now includes an orphanage with over 230 children, an elementary school, a sewing school for young women and widows, a seminary training church, planters, a church, and a medical clinic.
Since that first trip in December, 2000, Craig Mayes, co-lead pastor of Communitas has made 12 trips to India, and will be leading a team this winter, February 11-20. To learn more about the work going on in Dowlaiswaram, click the link below to watch a video.
This year's Communitas India team members are introduced below. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel a great distance to build relationships with the people of Dowlaiswaram. From Feb 11-20, you can also follow their adventure through this blog with entries by members from Communitas, as well as Kensington (Troy, Michigan) and Gateway (Austin, Texas). CEM India Blog. You can also check out Craig's blog with entires from Craig and other team members (click here).
Communitas India Team February 11-20, 2010
Craig Mayes- After a two year hiatus, I am very excited to return to my friends in India. Nothing in my life has stretched me and shaped my thinking more than my experiences In India the last decade. Most of all I love the early morning chapels with the children and spending time with the men and women being trained as future church-planters.
Caleb Mayes- I've made 4 trips to India already and every time I go I see something that impacts my life. My first trip to india was crazy. When I got back I told everyone how terrible the travel was but how amazing my experience in India was and that I would do it over again! I cannot wait to get back in Dowlaiswaram to be with Jaya and his extended (200+) family.
Dave Alexander- I had my first chance to join the KCC mission team to CEM in 2007. Instead of walking or driving by the “scenery”, I had the chance to enter into it. What I found was a whole world of God’s children. While their physical needs were far more than I (or we) may ever be able to take care of, Jesus showed me what they needed the most. The best part was He also revealed I (and we) was more than capable of satisfying this need: LOVE. Free, unconditional love available and expressible in so many ways: a smile, a hello, a hug, laughter, a game, a water balloon fight, a song, and simply spending what God had given me an abundance of during my trip…time. This will be my third trip to CEM and I can’t wait to start freely spending the time Jesus has given me to share the other thing He and has given me an abundance of: LOVE.
Stephanie McKenna- It is very exciting that God has led the way for me to go to India. I have done mission work in Malawi and South Africa, but I have never been to India. I can't wait to see firsthand what Jesus is doing in this special part of the world and to bring love and support to those who work and live at CEM. Amazing things can happen on mission trips (I met my husband on my first trip!)...Let's see what He'll do in India!
Mike VanConant- I am so excited to see what God has in store for our team going to India! This will be my first excursion to CEM. I have heard so much about India through my friends at Communitas who have made the trip before me. I am thankful God has provided me with the provisions to be able to make this journey. I look forward to see how Jesus will reveal himself through the work He is doing at CEM.
Erin Voytal- This is my first trip to India and CEM. I couldn't be more excited to see what God has in store. I have a special spot in my heart for children and can't wait to share the love of Jesus with the children of CEM. I am certain that God is going to stretch and grow me in ways that I cant even imagine.