Graduation of Bible College Students and Ordination & Commissioning of Pastors

On Wednesday April 3rd 2013 it was our Bible College Student’s graduation and the Commission of our pastors and their Ordinations.  The Rhema Partnership would like to say thank you for your support, both financially and in prayer to make this possible.

Bishop Samuel writes:

By the grace of God we had our Bible College graduation, Commissioning and Ordination of Pastors. God had enabled us to graduate six students, commission five pastors and gave Ordination for five Presbyters. 220 people attended the ceremony.

Rev.Dr.Jeyapalan, the new acting Principal of our Bible College gave the message.  Our Bible College students have gone for field work in the new diocese’s they will be working in. Please pray for them, they will be placed there until the 30th April. Rev.Anbarasu, Rev.Solomon, Pastor. Martin will be with them.

Sam Harris comments on his visit to Rhema in May 2013

Sam Harris has just spent a month out at Rhema, he says this on his experience - “Every person here is valued with the same love and friendship; their smiles and laughter make me feel very welcome and part of the family. I am reminded daily that these people have very little money and possessions, and yet their satisfaction and joy that comes from knowing the Lord surpasses any material worth. They can’t help but share this Love and many peoples’ lives are transformed because of it. Amazing things are being done here in The Rhema Garden and I am totally inspired by it all!”

HTC Trip to the Rhema Garden February 2013

In February, we’ve been very busy with both Richard (Chairman) and Tony (Vice-Chairman) taking visits, plus our Administrator Jess Balding and Board member Charles Wallendahl, with members of Holy Trinity Claygate, Dibden Purlieu and some of our American supporters.

Reflections from Jess:

Every year I am overwhelmed by the warm reception we receive upon arrival at the gates of the Rhema Garden and this year was no different. This was my third visit to Rhema, and I was struck by how much had changed in such a short time. There are now nearly double the number of children at the garden (58!), plus 14 special needs’ children and 14 Bible College Students, plus many new Pastors and new buildings. Nothing however could prepare me for the sea of smiling faces that greeted us off the minibus.

We were greeted and led into the dining-hall for a welcoming service. With at least 10 children on each arm it was quite a challenge to get into the building, but we managed it! As always, Bishop Samuel led worship with help from the Bible College Students and children clapping and singing along. The team introduced themselves and we explained what we would be doing during our week at Rhema.

Jess with some of the Special Needs children and the Hand-print Mural.

Amongst painting new buildings, visiting Pastors and their church plants, teaching English to the Bible College Students and just soaking up the atmosphere at Rhema, my favourite part is always the after-school club. This year Rachel and I led it with a much more relaxed approach, providing a craft activity, colouring pages, skipping ropes, balls to throw and catch and a Frisbee. We aimed to spend time with the children, and that we did! Two personal highlights for me were the handprint mural (pictured above), which by the end of the week had all the children, students and staff at Rhema on the wall facing the playground. The vision for the mural was that although children come and go to the garden, a memory of them will always be there. Another highlight was a queue of excitable children waiting on Bishop Samuel’s driveway for Rachel and I to start the club!

As always, it was hard to say goodbye to the beautiful people at the Rhema garden, it really does feel like home after only a few short days. I know it wont be long before I see my brothers and sisters in Christ again though.

A thought from Charles:

Charles teaching Esther in the English class

These words seem apt for The Rhema Garden having spent the last week there: ’It is the gospel made visible, a fairy-tale landscape of grace, here the weak and helpless are cared for in a palpably Christian atmosphere.’ (E. Metaxas)
This truth is most real when a child with learning disabilities worships the Lord with great passion. The children’s

continuous smiles are the outward sign of their delight in the love of their Father in heaven.
Charles Wallendahl.

A few words from Hal:

My heart is full and I have been joyfully recounting the adventure we all shared in India…

God was evident in every moment and experience; every face, every song, every handshake, and every hug. Our God is indeed an Awesome God.

Hal with his sponsored child Bayvashri and Bob Glendening.

In faith and common purpose,
Hal Jones.