The Chinta Family (Jayaraj & Kailas)

Location: Andhra Pradesh State, India

Ministry: The ministry to families has been established in 1995 through the challenge from Hebrews 11:7, "Noah built an ark for the salvation of his family."

Ark Family Ministries is meeting the needs of the families by conducting one, two and three days family seminars, Leaders Family Seminars, monthly Marriage Enrichment Cells, and by offering personal counsel from the Word of God. They also conduct pre-marital counseling seminars for youth to prepare them for their future roles as husbands, wives, and parents. They also offer pre-marriage preparation classes.

They are publishing Keys for Kids children's devotional books (Children's Bible Hour devotional) in several Indian languages.

In August 2002 the Lord led them to add the ministry to HIV/AIDS affected/infected to our ministries. Most of the patients who come to them, come from rural villages and from very poor homes. They minister to these on a monthly basis by providing medication and nourishment, counseling, self-support schemes for widows, as well as awareness programs and literature. Best of all they are able to offer hope and eternal life that only the Lord Jesus can give. Many have trusted the Lord as their Savior and they have the opportunity to disciple these new believers on a regular basis. Their pastor visits these new believers and encourages them.

As a result of ministering to these patients, they saw the desperate needs of the patient's children. Ashirvad Residential School is an English medium school and was begun in July 2004. It is a private residential school for children affected and/or infected with HIV/AIDS. This means that either they themselves are HIV positive, or come from homes where at least one parent has died or is living as HIV positive. Presently Ashirvad School has 23 residential children and 2 non-residential children enrolled. 8 of these 23 are HIV positive. 4 widows of AIDS patients are trained to serve as caregivers for these children. 2 of these 4 widows are HIV positive. 4 teachers serve as full time teachers.

Not only do the children receive good education, they are taught the Scriptures daily and 16 of the 25 children have believed on the Lord Jesus as their Savior from sin. They are being discipled on a daily basis to honor the Lord and make Him known through their life and word.

Their ministry is full to capacity at the present location, which is the upstairs of the Chinta residence. Many more children are waiting to receive this opportunity for education and better future. Many widows are waiting for help so they can earn their livelihood.

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