Kerala "God's Own Country" is a state in southwest India rich in spices, tea, fish, education and religion. Thirty percent of the region practices Christianity, which is the highest percentage in a concentrated area in all of India. It is said that the Apostle St. Thomas reached the Malabar coast around AD 50, preached in the area, and founded the Mar Thoma Church in Kerala. Community, family, and faith are of utmost importance to those of the Mar Thoma church. They acknowledge Jesus Christ in how they pray, work, and lead their lives together.

Another Chance: Myanmar Orphans Look Toward the Future

Saint Matthew’s Orphanage Center in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar cares for impoverished children who need love, guidance, and support to strive for a quality education.

Often sacrificing time with their own children in order to support the Saint Matthew’s students, the directors make sure the students experience love, friendship, and guidance. They bring in mission volunteers to lead games with the students as well as teach them music and art. When the children aren’t doing chores or studying, they play games and cut each other’s hair.

Many of these children are refugees from the Kachin State, where there is a civil war between the Kachin minority group and the strong Burmese army. Other parents have died due to poor health care and sickness. Still others’ parents have become involved in drug trafficking and are unable to care for their families. Yet despite theses hardships, these children have the opportunity to live at Saint Matthew’s, where they can eat three meals a day and attend government school, as well as extra study classes at the orphanage itself – all things they did not have in their home villages.