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.

Benenden School visit The Rhema Garden

In December 2012 eighteen sixth form students from Benenden School in Kent travelled to India to visit The Rhema Partnership. They were accompanied by Mrs Jane Ashton, Chaplain at Benenden, and Rebecca Ross, Housemistress.

Following their trip Jane Ashton wrote:

Having left England on a cold, grey morning we were delighted to arrive in Chennai where the day time temperature was 30 degrees. Anyone who has flown from London to Chennai will remember that two things hit you as you walk out of the airport; the warm night air, and the number of the people noisily waiting for their relatives arriving off long haul flights – the shouts of welcome, embraces, general hubbub – all at 3am! – this is India! Our first stop was Mahabilipuram, a small town one hour south of Chennai. Here we enjoyed a short stay by the sea, ‘acclimatising’ to the new and varied sights, sounds ( and smells!) of India. For the students this was their first experience of such a world and they embraced it with delight and enthusiasm. They enjoyed a shopping trip in town, buying cheap trousers and typically Indian Christmas gifts for their families, and readily engaged in conversation with the locals.

We then flew inland to Madurai – a large, relatively empty airport seemingly in the middle of no-where, where we were warmly greeted by Bishop Samuel. Our first stop was Mottomalai to visit Pastor Jebaraj and his small church. We then bumped across the Tamil Nadu countryside until we finally reached our destination, Cumbum; a thriving, bustling and perpetually busy town of approximately 200,000. We checked into the Jaba International Hotel (we were the international aspect!) before travelling the short distance to The Rhema Garden. Here a unique reception awaited us. We were welcomed with big smiles, shy handshakes and beautiful garlands. The students were overwhelmed by their first experience of The Garden and they quickly realised what an oasis it is, both physically and spiritually, in the midst of the hubbub and busyness of Cumbum.

Over the following week we participated in many aspects of life at Rhema. We painted the newly completed extension of the dining room and played endlessly with the children at the Garden, who enchanted us with their impressive English, warmth and enthusiasm. We observed patients receiving treatment in the Medical Centre, helped the cooks in the kitchen, and visited homes in Cumbum to sing Carols. A particular highlight was making a dance video to be used as backing in Bishop Samuel’s latest DVD, including one routine executed in a paddy field! In addition we visited Pastor Robin’s church in the Kerala Hills as well as Pastor Reuban at Uppakottai; it was good to see the church building in this very poor village now at roof height. The students were struck by so many aspects of life at Rhema; the obvious happiness of the children and their zest for life ( as well as games!); the contrast between everyday life in India compared to the UK; the wholehearted faith of those at The Rhema Garden and their dependence on God; as well as the evident joy of Bishop Samuel and his fellow workers.  After a short yet memorable trip we left with heavy hearts, aware of the profound impact that Rhema had had on us, challenging so many of the ideas and values we hold in the West, and hoping that in some small way we might to able to repay the debt we owed to those at Rhema.

As a result the students are planning various fundraising events, including an art show in London and sponsored sail around the Isle of Wight! In consultation with Bishop Samuel our aim is to raise enough money to complete the top floor of the girl’s hostel at Rhema, thereby providing further accommodation for vulnerable and orphaned children. Watch this space!