USA (MNN) — While it's summer in the United States, Christians there are thinking about helping people in India during the winter months. Why? It gets cold. And when you combine cold and poverty, it's a recipe for disaster.
President of Global Action Lars Dunberg describes the problem. "Statistics tell us that anywhere between 6,000 and 10,000 people die every winter. There's no statistics on these people in the slum areas, but that's a pretty high number, and we're trying to prevent that as much as we can."
That's why Global Action is sending Christians to the region to help. "We actually have three trips going [to India]: one over Thanksgiving, one in the beginning of December, and one over the New Year. Teams are made up of a minimum of 12 and a maximum 20."
The teams will go to distribute blankets. Why? It gets cold. "The children run around stark naked–some just in a pair of underwear." With temperatures below freezing, this is dangerous.
Dunberg says while they need people to go to do the distribution, they also need people to donate to help purchase the blankets. It only costs $5. Thousands need blankets, and you can help without even leaving home.
It's more than giving blankets away, though. "We go out into the villages, and we bring our little orphan choir from our Hope Center. They sing a song, and suddenly there are 400 people gathered. Then we tell them that we are there because someone loved us first."
That's when team members can share their faith. Dunberg says it's successful. "We've done this for several years, and in several of these villages, people have come to faith through the blankets. Little cell groups have been formed. It is just encouraging to see the power of the Gospel just when you do something tangible; people also come to faith in Christ."
God may be calling you to go on this trip, which will be transformational. "First of all, you save lives physically," says Dunburg. "Secondly, you have a chance to prepare people for eternity spiritually, give them help here, and an even better life after that."
If you're interested in joining the team, sign up now. Go to http://www.GlobalAction.com to sign up and to get additional information.
