Update on the Trust - December 2006

As mentioned before, this blog is really for people who have supported Raj over recent months and years (financially or otherwise) or who has expressed an interest in doing so.

I have had every intention of updating you all straight after coming back from my latest trip to India this year but things have been very busy since I got back and I just have not got round to it. I do plan to keep in touch with you all over the next few months far more than we have. I have agreed with Raj how we can do this and we'll start afresh in January 2007.

I have just come back from a great (6th??) trip to India to meet with Raj. It was my 40th this year and he surprised me on day 3 with a trip to Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal etc (see below)

This took up the first week and week two was working on the developments listed below
Having said all of that there is lots to tell you.....

Here are some of the headlines both of the trip I had there, what happened on that trip as far as Raj's support is concerned and where Raj is going from now.

MINISTRY
The vision Raj has had for years is now coming together in a way that I never imagined possible. Here are some of the things that have happened over recent months to progress some of the aims of the vision which, if you have not seen it before, is encapsulated in the business plan mentioned below.

A Trust (based on the aims listed in the business plan) is now set up with the help of a Christian Chartered accountant. Here is a photo of Raj and one of the trustees (Praveen) after coming out of the chartered accountants having discussed the deeds - a real milestone meeting.

The deeds of the trust will soon be agreed by the Government (we hope) and they are attached for your info. as well. This is an exciting step as the vision is going from something that Raj has held for some time to being shared by a small groups of trustees. Raj is clear about the ownership of the vision and the need to share this with others for the future development of the work.

The first trustees meetings have been held and things are going well. I know all the trustees and they are good people. They have been wrestling with whether they should set up a new trust or try and develop the work under a currently existing trust. They have not taken this decision lightly but all including Raj feel a new trust with new trustees is the way to go. They will need help on the governance side of things but Raj has people who can help on that

Raj is in discussions with numerous people (far too many to mention) about progressing various aspects of the Trust. The elements of the trust that you can see on the attached are:

Adventure camping centre: Raj has been talking to a guy about the possibility of land that is available. Watch this space!!!

Drop in centre and night shelter: Raj has had contact with a couple of people who have a similar vision. It seems this will be the first 'project' to happen. I have given some input to the nighshelter as I have experience in this area

Relationships with others: Wow!! Far too much to say in this area but just to say this is a huge growth area. Raj has more contacts and relationships than you can shake a stick at!!

Training: Raj has been doing training at the local Bible College and is looking at doing self esteem training and skills and loads of other areas

I have spent a lot of time with Raj talking through structuring a charity and accountability issues. He is just great on taking what's good about the Uk and mixing it with the best of India too!

FAMILY
Just to let you know - hot off the press - that Raj's Dad is not well at all. He may have to have open heart surgery and Raj is in Chennai (where his parents live) now. I will let you know more when I do...

Rajs' brother George (see photo attached when we met him at Hyderabad station recently on our 41 hour train journey coming back from Delhi!!) is doing well and is working in media in Hyderabad on Disney films and all sorts

Anita, Raj's sister is doing well. Please pray for a husband for her. This is really important in their culture...

PERSONALLY
I guess for me the biggest miracle I witnessed while I was out there was seeing (or at least hearing) that all the money that Raj needs for his personal funding for the next 2 years is now in place - well it will be as from March next year. I have worked hard with Raj to secure enough funding from the UK for the 1st 2 years of his work. This is based on the fact that Raj has been in the UK for the past 3 years and therefore we are seeing this as his initial support base. After the first 2 years Raj is clear about the fact that he wants and needs to get local support from local India people. This is crucial for the future long term success of the trust as we cannot do the old 'English missionary does stuff to the poor people' bit any longer!!!!!

Raj and I set a goal on the finances of raising just short of £300 per month. This was after doing a lot of work on a budget as to what his needs are (he finds all this hard to talk about as you can imagine). We had got a fair way towards this target before I went and heard when I was over there that the church where Raj was based in the UK will be funding the remaining amount. This is such good news as it means this does not have to be a focus or Raj's work. The funding is sorted so now Raj give 100% focus to establishing the trust without worrying about money. It also means that all the money that comes in from now on can go to the Trust and it's growth.

Finally in this section I am sure Raj will not mind me saying that he would also like you also to pray for a wife for him. This is a big thing for Raj.

Well I think that is it for now. I know you are keen on supporting Raj but I don't want to overdo it!!! I plan over the next few weeks to set up a blog or webpage so that everything I hear about how Raj is doing can be put on there. Then if you want to know everything you can have a look but if not I am not bothering you too much!!!

I want to end this by saying again I have witnessed many miracles (I don't claim that lightly) over the last year or tow in Raj's life. I can assure you, having witnessed all of the above and more 1st hand many times that this work is good, being managed well and is growing. God is in it...of that I have no doubt.

Many thanks, on Raj's behalf and from me for all you have done to be a part of this......