many times we go to India, we are always heartbroken by the situations of so many of the people we come in contact with.  It reminds us to be so very thankful for the blessings in our lives.
I will be going to India again in July for about one month. At that time we will have the Bible School graduation, and will also dedicate the children's home. We all plan to return to India later this year for a six month stay.  We covet your prayers for the ministry.

It was a blessing to serve the Lord again in India for the first three months of this year.  There is such great joy in being able to share of the love of Christ, of His salvation and healing power, to teach His Word, and to pray for the people there.  Many lives have been changed, and yet there is so much work to be done.  With only 2% of the population proclaiming to be Christian, the work is never ending.  The poverty continues to be unbelievable.  No matter how

Carrie-the-Joy Children's Home

They have all captured our hearts!
What began as fulfilling a government requirement for more social works, has turned out to be a tremendous ministry.  We had a serious talk with the children before we left India this time.  We wanted them to know that we care about them and their future.  We talked about furthering their education when the time comes.  I made the comment that I would like to see some of them go on to Bible School and to serve the Lord.  Most of them said they had a desire to go to Bible School.  I believe the Children's Homes are going to do more than provide food and shelter, but will also raise up future generations of pastors and evangelists.

We were able to oversee the building of the Children's Home in Guntur.  The work should be completed by July--before the rainy season begins.  This home will be able to house 30 children, plus the workers, and caregivers family.  The left side will also be a church to minister to the hundreds of huts in the area.  It is being built to accommodate a second story at a later time.
We have had most of these children for less than one year.  The Lord has done a tremendous work in their lives in that time.  They are happy, well adjusted children living a middle class life.  They are serious in their prayers, and are memorizing scriptures.  They soak up every bit of love and attention that you give them. 

Pastor Stephen's son was hospitalized with what the doctors first thought was brain fever.  After being moved to three different hospitals, 7 year old Sunti was diagnosed with severe jaundice.  He slipped into a coma, and the doctors gave the parents no hope for his life.  They said even if he did come out of the coma, his liver was completely damaged.
We went to the hospital several times to join with family and friends in prayer.  We encouraged them to speak to Sunti and read the Word to him even while in the

coma--to speak faith into his heart. 
After three days, Sunti woke up and said he was hungry!  The x-rays showed that the liver was completely normal.
The parents were so thankful to God that they had a "Thanksgiving Service".  They arranged an outdoor meeting inviting friends and neighbors, and feeding over 100 people.  They were showing their thanks to the Lord, and proclaiming to their neighborhood--God has healed our son!

The Bible School had shifted over into the new building just before we got there in January.  Everyone was excited about the new facilities.  We are looking forward to being able to house many more students next year.
It was great to be able to have an apartment on the same grounds as the students and Pastor Wilson and his family.  We were able to get to know the students even more than before.

  What a blessing it is to be able to put into the lives of these young people who have such a great desire to go forth and spread the Word of God in India.  We want to be able to help as many of them as we can that go on into ministry with church buildings, sound equipment, bicycles,  puppets,  children's materials,  and in any other way that we are able.

Harley, Jan, and Ben Swartout

Redemption Ministry
P. O. Box 201
Floodwood, MN   55736

A day at the beach

We had a great time when we rented a bus and took all the Bible School students and the children from the children's home to the beach for the day.  Even though they only live two hours away from the beach, most of them had never seen the ocean before.  It was a day they will never forget!

Left--Jan and Heather Hines with children from the home.
Right--No, Harley and Delmas didn't catch this fish!  But they were able to buy it, and we all enjoyed fish curry on the beach!
Notice that there are no bathing suits on this beach!