One of the small girls is named “Apsara”. She is 3 and half years old. Her father died and her mother left her with the neighbors’ and has never returned. She was brought to the Children’s home where she has been surrounded by love, food and shelter. She is happy, healthy and has now started school and is growing well. Some day she will have many opportunities in life, that would not have been there had it not been for Manna Ministries and partners like you. We truly are making a difference in the life of a child! Our Children homes and child care programs are bringing hope and life to over 5300 children throughout India. The programs to the “least of these” takes children from backgrounds of abandonment, dire poverty and child labor and brings them to a place of welcome, shelter, food, education, love and most importantly hope. They now have a chance to make it in an environment even when the odds are against them. They now have a chance to dream and to pursue those dreams.
 

Education is the key to escaping poverty and to having a chance to make it in life. India as a nation stands as a testimony of that with it coming from backwardness to a place of prominence in the world of Information Technology. This is what has motivated us since we started our first school in 1971 and now over 20 schools give children in our homes and from the community a place on that road out of poverty. Our Vocational schools, our Degree College, and Teacher training college give quality education and skills to the young mind that is eager to soar.

The Bible teaches us that “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble”. We at Manna Ministries have for decades helped the orphan and changed the life of thousands; however except for a few cases here and there we did not have an out-and-out program for widows. This has now changed. For the past year we have been meeting with some precious widows on a regular basis, feeding them and encouraging them as they move forward in their lives. Due to cultural tradition most widows do not remarry and are either taken care of by family or marginalized by them. To make a difference, in a few months time Rock Widows Home will open its door to 20 widows who will come in and live and be taken care of. They will be taught skills to help our children in our homes and also utilize skills to help in the church. The building for them is under construction and will be completed soon. Some of our dear partners have come forward to help with this project and we greatly appreciate them.
 

Our medical outreach continues to bring healing and hope to those suffering with sickness and physical handicaps. Our Rev. K. S. J. Memorial Hospital along with our 4 clinics are reaching those who are outside of those who can avail medical care. Our clinics are on the frontline bringing basic health care to the villages and towns and bringing in health and hygiene education. We are now in the middle of upgrading some of our clinics to have small operating rooms so minor surgeries can be performed alleviating physical suffering and also meeting the needs of the poor who can not afford these types of treatments. We are so grateful for those who have come forward to help in the expansion of medical facilities.

This year has seen some of our rehabilitative efforts after the Tsunami come to completion. In January we dedicated and handed over to the Government of India and the Andaman Islands administration 5 schools that we built in areas affected by the Tsunami. We built them completely, furnished them and gave them to the school administration to use. In December of this year we will dedicate 90 homes that have been built for those displaced. With this our Tsunami project of rescue: relief by providing food and supplies for 2500 families, medical and psychological help to thousands by our mobile clinic, rehabilitation for hundreds with business kits, equipment for various trades and businesses and now educational buildings and housing, is complete. What a difference has been made and what a blessing you have been!

Manna Millennium Center was dedicated by our dear friend Rev. Dr. K. R. Iverson. What a wonderful day it was as over 4,000 people joined with us to see the vision that was birthed years ago and construction that started 6 years ago come to fruition.

This center is now 85% complete and functional for use. We just have the work of finishing some furnishings, installing a permanent sound system and air conditioning. The purpose of the center to train and equip men and women of God to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ could not wait any longer and we needed to start using the center. Please pray that the final needs of this project will be met soon and that MMC will stand as a wonderful beacon of light to the nation of India and the world. The fist conference started that night and continued for 4 wonderful days of spiritual refreshing and teaching of the Word.

The work of Evangelism and Church planting is moving forward with great dedication, passion and zeal. In addition to our 1400 congregations we have now planted and expanded into 2 new states. We are now working in 9 states and 1 union territory of India. We also have work in Nepal, Myanmar and South Africa. Our affiliate in South Africa under the leadership of Rev. Brian Dolan is now opening Manna Bible College which will educate and equip leaders to reach the continent of Africa. In India,our Gospel and music festivals are bringing the life changing Gospel of Jesus to hundreds of thousands of young people. Our Television and radio programs are bringing this transforming Gospel to millions. Our literature and publications are reaching thousands with the written Word.
All this has not been without challenges, threats and minor setbacks. Our faith in God, His direction and purpose for this ministry and your prayers have kept us steadfast in moving forward. We are grateful for dedicated servants of God who sacrificially serve Him.

FROM ME TO YOU ...

On November 1st of this year I turned 70 years old. As I pause to reflect on my life and ministry, I thank God for His hand upon my life and the privilege He has given me to serve Him individually and through Manna Ministries. I am so grateful for loving parents who raised me and who introduced me to and nurtured me in the Lord. I am forever grateful for His gift of my wife Rachel who has stood by my side as we have walked this life together and for my children and grandchildren who have brought me much joy.
In this ministry, I am thankful for all those who have stood by and worked to see the vision become a reality. The Pastors, staff and all of the wonderful partners and friends like you who have joined with me to make a difference in India and the world. I am so appreciative of the leadership team of Bishop Spurgeon Raju Pachigalla, Rev. Carl David Komanapalli and Rev. Sudarshan Jyoti Komanapalli. Their tireless efforts to implement the vision and their sacrifices are more than I can truly describe.

Some have asked how long I will keep doing this, all I can say is as long as there is a hungry child, a sick man or woman, a person without hope and as long as I have breath I must keep going on. In the meanwhile, I keep going with the next generation of leaders ready to work. This ministry is not just for today but for generations to come. We go on making a difference one child, one person at a time.
This year has seen much progress but also has seen an extreme pull on all our resources. As we come to the end we are in a tight position and ask all of you our friends and partners to see what has been accomplished and stand with us in a greater way in the days ahead. I request that in addition to your support, please send an extra gift to help us get over this difficult position we are in. Thank you for joining with us and let us go forward hand-in-hand, reaching the world with Compassionate love.