Little Lambs Orphanage
The Little Lambs Orphanage, in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, India was started in 2000 by Joshva Karem and Esther Karem. They started the orphanage with the goal of taking many of the abandoned children in their town and providing them with food, clothing, shelter, education, and most importantly, the Gospel message. Vizianagaram is a very poor area in southern India, located on the southeast coast of the country. May the name of Jesus be glorified in the ministry of the Karem family to these children, and may the Lord bless them for the work that they are doing in sharing the Gospel to those who would otherwise have no hope.
History of Little Lambs
Esther and Joshva have always had a passion for helping the abandoned children in their area. In the year 2000, this became a reality when they were able to rent a facility in their town for $100 per month. They took in 20 children (ages 3-12) who were basically abandoned by their parents; either because they were too poor to provide for them, or they had become addicted to drugs or alcohol. These children were left to wander the streets and beg for food, while sleeping in grass huts on the side of the road. Seeing the opportunity to meet a need for these children by providing life's basic necessities, they also used this as a tool for evangelism. Currently in India, Christianity is the minority at only about 3% of the population. The rest is predominantly Hindu (80%) and Muslim (15%). They are taking in children who have no hope and sharing with them the hope of our Lord Jesus. These children can one day be the catalyst for a Great Awakening in India. Their goal is to have these children stay with them through high school, unless they can be permanently adopted into a Christian family. Over the past 5 years, 20 of the children have been permanently placed in Christian homes in nearby towns. Each time children are adopted, they take other orphans off of the street to replace them.
Esther takes care of the children during the day; preparing the meals for them and taking them to school. She takes part of the day after school to teach them bible lessons. Joshva and his father take turns staying with the children at night. The Orphanage is currently housing 39 children, which is the maximum that they can support with the current space and funding they have.
Living Faith Sponsors the Orphanage
In September of 2002, a Living Faith member became aware of this ministry and decided to take up a clothes collection to send to the children for Christmas. We sent several boxes of children's clothes which arrived by Christmas time. We also sent a cash donation to Joshva and Esther so that they could buy gifts for the children as well. After receiving pictures back and speaking with Joshva and Esther, several families at Living Faith decided to start a sponsorship program for the orphanage. All 39 children were put up for sponsorship at our church for $35 per month; similar to the Christian's Children Fund program. Once this program was approved by church leadership, a presentation on the orphanage was given and several families came forward to sponsor children.
In the past special funds were sent ot Joshua and Esther for a moped, a/c unit, school supplies, Christmas gifts and other miscellaneous needs. Currently LFBC gives a monthly sum out of our normal church budget to Little Lambs. our Missions & Evangelism Ministry Team is working towards joining other churches in support of Little Lambs and we are spearheading a capital campaign to assist with the purchase of land for a new facility. The Missions & Evangelism Ministry Team hopes to also build relationships to bring a missionary to Little Lambs and plant a church to meet the spiritual needs of the community where the orphanage is situated. If interested in Little Lambs, please contact our Missions & Evangelism Ministry Team.
We have set up a Land Fund for Little Lambs. If you are interested in giving over and above your regular giving for the future purchase of land, please include "Little Lambs Land Fund" in the memo section of your check.
Check out these photos from Christmas 2018 Celebration: drive.google.com/folderview?id=14kGBu9IlZ-KpGb1flWte-YEuhIziCYYe
History of Little Lambs
Esther and Joshva have always had a passion for helping the abandoned children in their area. In the year 2000, this became a reality when they were able to rent a facility in their town for $100 per month. They took in 20 children (ages 3-12) who were basically abandoned by their parents; either because they were too poor to provide for them, or they had become addicted to drugs or alcohol. These children were left to wander the streets and beg for food, while sleeping in grass huts on the side of the road. Seeing the opportunity to meet a need for these children by providing life's basic necessities, they also used this as a tool for evangelism. Currently in India, Christianity is the minority at only about 3% of the population. The rest is predominantly Hindu (80%) and Muslim (15%). They are taking in children who have no hope and sharing with them the hope of our Lord Jesus. These children can one day be the catalyst for a Great Awakening in India. Their goal is to have these children stay with them through high school, unless they can be permanently adopted into a Christian family. Over the past 5 years, 20 of the children have been permanently placed in Christian homes in nearby towns. Each time children are adopted, they take other orphans off of the street to replace them.
Esther takes care of the children during the day; preparing the meals for them and taking them to school. She takes part of the day after school to teach them bible lessons. Joshva and his father take turns staying with the children at night. The Orphanage is currently housing 39 children, which is the maximum that they can support with the current space and funding they have.
Living Faith Sponsors the Orphanage
In September of 2002, a Living Faith member became aware of this ministry and decided to take up a clothes collection to send to the children for Christmas. We sent several boxes of children's clothes which arrived by Christmas time. We also sent a cash donation to Joshva and Esther so that they could buy gifts for the children as well. After receiving pictures back and speaking with Joshva and Esther, several families at Living Faith decided to start a sponsorship program for the orphanage. All 39 children were put up for sponsorship at our church for $35 per month; similar to the Christian's Children Fund program. Once this program was approved by church leadership, a presentation on the orphanage was given and several families came forward to sponsor children.
In the past special funds were sent ot Joshua and Esther for a moped, a/c unit, school supplies, Christmas gifts and other miscellaneous needs. Currently LFBC gives a monthly sum out of our normal church budget to Little Lambs. our Missions & Evangelism Ministry Team is working towards joining other churches in support of Little Lambs and we are spearheading a capital campaign to assist with the purchase of land for a new facility. The Missions & Evangelism Ministry Team hopes to also build relationships to bring a missionary to Little Lambs and plant a church to meet the spiritual needs of the community where the orphanage is situated. If interested in Little Lambs, please contact our Missions & Evangelism Ministry Team.
We have set up a Land Fund for Little Lambs. If you are interested in giving over and above your regular giving for the future purchase of land, please include "Little Lambs Land Fund" in the memo section of your check.
Check out these photos from Christmas 2018 Celebration: drive.google.com/folderview?id=14kGBu9IlZ-KpGb1flWte-YEuhIziCYYe